Fans of Pro Evolution Soccer have long been awaiting the game's move to Nintendo, and this dream may be on the verge of coming true. With PES switching game engines, the game may come to the Nintendo Switch.
This process is now more likely with the change in game engines from the Fox Engine to the Unreal Engine. Originally, the Fox Engine was touted as a project to 'become the best engine in the world' by Konami, but it has been abandoned for the next generation of PES games. The crossover to the Unreal Engine has many fans anticipating the eventual expansion onto the Switch, one that fans have been missing for several years now.
PES 2014 was actually the first game to harness the Fox Engine. It has also been utilized in the Metal Gear series, and while it has been celebrated for its remarkable graphics, it has apparently lacked the capability to take the popular soccer game to the Switch. The change to Epic Games' Unreal Engine has seemingly offered this option, with PES' Latin American Brand Manager Robbye Ron discussing this point, stating, "The Unreal Engine will help us a lot to be a little more flexible on what platforms we appear on. I can't assure you yet, but I think we're getting closer to getting there (to Switch)."
This project to move over to the Switch stems from the rivalry with fellow virtual soccer game FIFA. While PES has received praise in recent years for challenging EA's series through graphics and securing exclusive rights for big name teams like Italy's Juventus, FIFA has already been on the Switch for the last 3 years, with FIFA 21 on its way.
Konami will hope to secure their fans' loyalty by making this drastic change in game engines, but as of yet nothing definite has been promised.
PES 2020 is currently available on PC, PS4, Xbox One, Android and iOS.
Source: NintendoLife