Konami today confirmed that October 26th is the release date for its eagerly awaited PES 2008 title. The 26th will see the launch of the Playstation 3, Xbox 360, PC-DVD, PlayStation 2, and mobile versions of the game, with the PSP and Nintendo DS skus to follow in November.

Already regarded as one of the most anticipated titles of the year, PES 2008 is a landmark in football. Built around a proprietary adaptive AI system entitled Teamvision, the game monitors the movement and passing of the player, and learns to counter them. By constantly analysing matches against the player, Teamvision picks up on particular patterns to each user’s play, and will adapt its strategies accordingly. This results in more open, fluid matches, the perfectly suit the realism the Pro Evolution Soccer series is renowned for.

PES 2008 also marks the series’ first release for Playstation 3. Alongside the Xbox 360 and PC-DVD versions, the next generation PES 2008 boasts a remarkable level of detail, with stunning physical recreations of players married to bespoke animations that mirror their idiosyncracies, individual running styles and playing styles. Players also boast facial animation, while the added definition offered by the new formats is shown in the rippling of player kits during the course of a match.

All versions of PES 2008 will also benefit from the series’ intuitive and realistic control system. As with previous releases, the ball is treated as a separate entity, with the timing of shots entirely down to the player. The movement of the ball, the proximity of the player and their varying abilities are just three factors that are considered when a shot is made, while the new AI ensures that defenders work to close down space and block efforts on goal. Similarly, distribution of passes works along the same lines, with players using the space available to them to switch the ball. Close control has also been enhanced with more control when dribbling the ball, and a number of subtle moves added to bypass defenders and move the ball into space.

Working in conjunction with the Teamvision system, every aspect of PES 2008’s on-field play has been reworked and fine-tuned to create the balanced and strategic play of a high-level match. Set-pieces have been improved, with users now capable of nominating taller players to come up for free kicks or corners, while full control is given over the number of players and the position of the defensive wall. A wider range of set piece options are also available to make use of specific talents within the team, and an extensive list of options is also present, from hugely detailed ‘Edit’ modes through to online play.

Such is the clamour for PES 2008, that Konami is anticipating its biggest sales in the series, with several million copies being shipped to European territories to meet demand. “We are extremely confident that PES 2008 will be welcomed as the greatest football game of all time,” commented Kunio Neo, President for Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH. “Demand is massive for what is easily the best Pro Evolution Soccer title to date, and we anticipate record sales as we bring the series to Playstation 3 for the first time, and unleash stunning versions for all leading formats.”

Tony Hawks games have always been the king of skateboarding, however this could soon change with EA’s Skate, which is due to hit stores on the 12th October. 

Skate offers an all new  innovative control system that takes advantage of the dual analog sticks, the power of the next gen hardware, and the ability to sculpt tricks that define your own style, skate delivers an authentic boarding mecca like no other videogame.

Individual style combined with physics-driven animations promise that no two tricks will ever be the same. And there’s plenty of room to pull off those tricks—San Vanelona challenges you to explore, find, and own the best spots. You can even capture footage to create and show off your style with friends across the world—because without footage, it’s fiction.

Below is a trailer which has been sent to us from EA, so that you can see for yourself how good this game looks. Enjoy and make sure you let us know what you think.

Sony’s dragon based game Lair has become the first PS3 Blu-Ray game to allow full gameplay on the PSP via Remote Connection.

Remote Connection is a feature built into the PSP and PS3 that allows you to access your PS3 via the handheld - but it hasn’t previously allowed you to play PS3 games remotely, only access to your stored music and video.

Although there is a drop in visual quality, playing games via remote play means you can potentially play your PS3 games anywhere in the world using by connecting your PSP to the internet, this really begins to show the potential that remote play offers and hopefully more games will follow.

Here is a video of Lair on the PSP in action.

If there is one game we can’t wait to get our hands on it is Little Big Planet. Media Molecule seem to have created something which is unlike any game seen before, everyone who watches this in action is in instant awe, this Playstation 3 exclusive has already won many fans from all over the world and there is no doubt that when this hits the stores in 2008 it is going to be one of the best selling games of the year.

Not convinced? then watch this trailer from Gamespot’s Leipzig coverage and just listen to the presenters reaction.

So what do you think of Little Big Planet? As usual let us know.

We have a new Unreal Tournament trailer for you from Leipzig, the First Person Shooter which will initially be released on PS3 and PC, is based on Unreal Engine and will offer realistic graphics, more vehicles than ever before as well as more game modes than you can imagine.

Anyway, here is the trailer. Enjoy.

Turning Point: Fall of Liberty which is released in early 2008 gives players a unique sense of empowerment as they take the role of Carson, a civilian caught in the middle of these new battlegrounds. As a man on his own, with no immediate plan and no weapons other than those that can be scavenged, Carson runs for his life, trapped is caught in a city under a devastating attack from advanced Nazi military technology and firepower.

Climbing and leaping from level to level, Carson attempts to escape the building before it’s razed to the ground. Paratroopers descend on the structure and must be dealt with as they are encountered. Unarmed, Carson engages his foes in hand to hand combat. This unique grappling system is played out from a third-person viewpoint, showcasing the brutal tactics the street-smart Carson will have to employ to stay alive.

As this intense opening unfolds, Carson eventually reaches the relative cover of street level and joins forces with the American resistance movement; this is his turning point as he becomes part of the underground defence initiative. From here, in this dramatically changed WWII, players will fight on the other side of war – one where they’re not part of the invading superpower’s army, but a resisting force on home ground reliant on their wits and guerrilla tactics.

Codemasters have today released a new trailer, which we though me may be interested in watching, so here it is, let us know what you think.

You might have guessed that we are looking forward to Little Big Planet given the little sackman in our banner, so here is a video for you, just in case you were wondering what all the fuss was about.