Pro Evolution Soccer 2

The PlayStation 2 version received "universal acclaim" in both regions according to video game review aggregator Metacritic. In Japan, Famitsu gave both the original and Final Evolution versions a score of 36 out of 40, and the J.League version 34 out of 40, all for the same console version. In Japan, Winning Eleven 6 sold 1 million units in eight weeks. By December 2002, Winning Eleven 6 had sold 1,115,707 units and Final Evolution sold 406,234 units for a combined units sold. In total, the game sold a total of 1,799,075 for the PlayStation 2 in Japan. In Europe, PES 2 initially outsold FIFA Football 2003 upon release in October 2002, with PES 2 selling above 1 million units in its first 40 days of availability in Europe. In the United Kingdom, it topped the all-formats chart two days after release. The PlayStation 2 version of Pro Evolution Soccer 2 received a "Platinum" sales award from the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA), indicating sales of at least 300,000 copies in the United Kingdom. By December 2002, FIFA 2003 had overtaken PES 2 in Europe with 2.5 million sales in the region. In the United States, Winning Eleven 6 sold 59,567 copies. In total, PES 2 sold at least more than units worldwide. PES 2 was awarded Best Console Game at the European Computer Trade Show (ECTS) in 2002. During the 7th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated Pro Evolution Soccer 2 for "Console Sports Simulation Game of the Year", which was ultimately awarded to Madden NFL 2004. According to SPORTbible in 2019, Pro Evolution Soccer 2 was voted the greatest football video game of all time in a poll. SPORTbible writer Jack Kenmare called it "one of the greatest and most influential football games in recent memory."