Pro Evolution Soccer 6

The Xbox 360 version features improved graphics, but retains gameplay similar to the other console versions. The edit mode has been stripped down for the Xbox 360 release, due to time restrictions. The graphics engine on the PC does not utilise the next-gen 360 engine but is once more a direct conversion of the PlayStation 2 engine. A Bundesliga license was supposed to be a feature of the game for Pro Evolution Soccer Installment, but Konami were forced to remove the teams, which means the Bundesliga is not present in PES6, not even as a series of unlicensed teams, with the exception of FC Bayern Munich who were fully licensed with the omission of their shirt sponsor T-Home. From then on, no further games featured the Bundesliga, with the participation of German teams restricted to a few of its teams appearing in separate blocks (like the UEFA Champions League teams without their own league). It is also the last Pro Evolution Soccer game to use a sequel number moniker, being replaced with the year featuring in the title from then on. Also it was the first installment released with "Pro Evolution Soccer" name on North America. PES 6 was succeeded by Pro Evolution Soccer 2008. The Japanese release of PS2 and PSP features both Zico and Shunsuke Nakamura, with the DS release features chibi version of Nakamura, and the Xbox release (known as Winning Eleven X) features Adriano.

• Title — Pro Evolution Soccer 6 • Developer — Konami • Publisher — Konami • Released — PlayStation 2 Xbox 360 Windows Nintendo DS PlayStation Portable • Genre — Sports • Series — Pro Evolution Soccer • Engine — RenderWare • Modes — Single-player, Multiplayer • Platforms — Microsoft Windows PlayStation 2 PlayStation Portable Nintendo DS Xbox 360

PES6 marks the first time the International Challenge Mode has been included on the PES Series. Usually this is seen on the Japanese version — Winning Eleven — where you play as Japan and take them through the qualifiers of the International Cup and then attempt to win it, under the name "Nippon Challenge". In PES6, however, you have the ability to choose most playable nations on the game, while each zone also has teams that are unavailable for play in any mode. The user can only play the qualifiers from Europe, North/Central America or South America (with the Asian qualifiers available in Winning Eleven 10), and can perform national call-ups between rounds. Although the tournament is not licensed, the qualifiers have a lot of similarities to the FIFA World Cup qualification process, albeit following abridged formats: • The European qualifiers are played by 32 teams divided in eight groups of four, with matches played in a round-robin format within each group. The group winners advance to the final tournament, while the second places advance to a playoff round to define the remaining places. • The North and Central American qualifiers are played by six teams in a round-robin league. The top three advance to the final tournament, while the fourth place moves on to an intercontinental playoff round. • The South American qualifiers are played by 10 teams in a round-robin league. The top four advance to the final tournament, while the fourth place moves on to an intercontinental playoff round. • The Asian qualifiers are played by 8 teams divided in two groups of four, with matches played in a round-robin format within each group. The top two teams of each group advance to the final tournament, while the third places play off against each other, then move on to an intercontinental playoff. Due to Nippon Challenge still being a separate mode, Japan cannot be selected in International Challenge. The International Challenge mode is only available in the PlayStation 2 and PC versions of PES6. The Xbox 360 and PSP versions do not include this mode.

Also new to PES6 is the Random Selection Match. In this mode, the user can pick up to either four clubs/nations or one region/league. Once selected, the computer picks a random selection of players from the teams or region for the player's squad. The lineup is selected automatically, although players can choose to let the computer to pick another random selection. This was not included in the PSP and Xbox 360 version, presumably because of time restrictions.

• Players are available as always, but there have been many more added (all unlicensed, but based on real players). It's not only retired "legendary players" that can be bought, Juan Sebastián Verón (playing for Estudiantes de la Plata by then), Fernando Cavenaghi (then at Spartak Moscow) and Freddy Adu (at D.C. United then) being the most notable cases. • Costumes can be bought. The Ostrich and Raptor costumes have the players riding them. The Penguin costume has the player in a penguin suit. When riding the raptors, they shoot, header, control, pass and do all the hard work, but their shooting ability is much less than a normal player. • Gameplay frames, new hairstyles, new goal celebrations, and new stadiums are other new features available in the PES Shop. • The PES Shop is present on all versions of the game, with the exception of the Xbox 360 version.

Groups have been introduced on the PES Network. A player can join/create a group that can gain points by playing together. Groups can play each other in rival matches. If a player creates a group, they manage who's in and who's out, the team name, and who else can allow others to join and matches. A player can join a group by applying to join or accepting an invitation from another player. If the leader accepts, they are in the group. Only ten are allowed in one group at first, but there can potentially be 30 in a group at one time. Groups can reach levels with the highest level to progress to is Level 14. When you achieve higher levels, you will unlock different costumes (penguin, dinosaur, and ostrich) and classic national teams. Also, you can achieve extra member spaces in your group when you go up in level. The Network capabilities have since been relinquished.

Ligue 1 was licensed for the first time in the series. The game also included several fully-licensed national teams that participated at the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

The Xbox 360 version is the only version with a fully analogue Manual Pass feature, as well as more sophisticated ball physics compared to the PS2.