eFootball Kick-Off!

With clean controls that support pick-up-and-play football, a staggering number of teams, and very moreish gameplay loops, backed by a much lower price tag than its immediate competitor, eFootball Kick-Off is a perfect reminder that while a truly rancid host nation can undermine the delight of a World Cup, nothing can destroy the love for the sport.

eFootball Kick Off prioritizes accessibility and solid gameplay over licenses, realism, and visual presentation. While its graphics remain modest and it lacks real world players, editing features, and licensed content, the game compensates with enjoyable matches, strong pacing, and a straightforward design philosophy that recalls the simpler and more approachable football titles of earlier generations. The result is an experience that values fun and playability above authenticity, making it an appealing option for players seeking uncomplicated football action.

I know eFootball Kick-Off! won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. But for football addicts like me, who’ve been desperately missing the classic PES/Winning Eleven days, its gameplay and even the legends featured in World Tour mode are enough to spark a little hope that the magic might still be there somewhere.

As it stands, eFootball Kick-Off! is a great football game wrapped in a thin package. If you’re here for modes, licenses, and the full modern football game circus, you may come away wanting a lot more. If you're here for the feel of PES, smooth 60fps football on Switch 2, and fancy building a team without being shaken upside down for your lunch money, then this is absolutely worth a look.

eFootball Kick-Off! brings back the spirit and feeling of the Konami football games of yesteryear thanks to a quick, simple and accessible gameplay that leaves both beginners and veterans at ease with its smooth and fun experience, a strong technical performance on the Nintendo Switch 2, and a very solid local multiplayer mode. The experience is less outstanding when it comes to its online component and a certain lack of depth that keeps eFootball Kick-Off! from standing shoulder to shoulder with the football greats in the Switch 2 catalogue.

eFootball Kick-Off isn’t the perfect comeback for the PES series, but it does prove to be an enjoyable game that’s ideal for a quick kickabout whenever and wherever you like. The important thing is that there are no loot boxes or in-app purchases here, just football.

It's fun, easy to enjoy, and it's got a nice approach to it in terms of value. And I love the menu music reminding me of the ISS/PES era, and the cute icons in Nintendo's own fashion. So, if Konami manages to upgrade the graphics to more modern standards, and if the World Tour leans closer to the ML in the future, this could be more than a summer love or a travel buddy. For now, it's okay if just like that.

The true spirit of classic PES is back, even if a bit stripped down As a long-time fan of the Pro Evolution Soccer series, I’ve always preferred its physics, tactical depth, and gameplay loop over FIFA (now EA Sports FC). When Konami rebranded the franchise into eFootball, I was deeply disappointed. I didn't even plan on buying this Switch version, expecting a complete disaster. However, after reading some positive feedback, I decided to give it a shot for $20. And honestly? Once I booted it up, I felt that old-school PES vibe again. It’s stripped down, but the core gameplay and driving energy are absolutely there. What I liked: - The Gameplay & Physics: The overall feel of the match, the ball movement, shooting animations, and general physics feel way more natural and realistic than in EA FC. - No Microtransactions: A massive plus. It's just you, the game, and football.Squad Building & Legends: I love playing with my favorite players and having different historical versions of legends to build a team around. The player selection is great. - Clever Mechanics: The system where you "steal" and sign a player from the defeated opponent's team is brilliant, and the coin mechanic for signings feels rewarding. - Performance: The solid 60 FPS makes the gameplay buttery smooth and highly responsive. What needs improvement: - Visuals & UI: While close-up replays look sharp, the graphics from the standard tactical camera feel a bit blurry and muddy. Also, the main menu looks straight out of a cheap mobile game—uninspired and outdated. - Lack of Modes: The game feels barren. I desperately miss something like Master League and would gladly pay for it as a premium DLC. - Goalkeeper AI: The keepers are currently broken. You can score from literally any distance, which takes away from the realism. - Player Progression: Unlike the main console version, there is zero player development here. I wish we could train and level up players by sacrificing bench warmers. - Quality of Life Issues: Forced signings after a win are annoying. When your squad is fully formed, being forced to sign a player from the losing team just clutters the club. We need a skip button. - Customization & Tactics: The game lacks club customization (stadiums, colors, badges, kits). More importantly, the tactics have been oversimplified. PES used to be the king of tactical depth, but right now, even EA FC offers more flexibility in this department. Overall, for $20, it's a nostalgic trip and a very solid handheld football simulator. It has its flaws, but the gameplay loop keeps you hooked.

finally something good from konami world tour mode 9/10 still lacking but really good and addective no microtransaction what a relief still no master league still no edits mode

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

I really want to like this game, it can be fun when it wants to be, but it's incredibly frustrating when playing against human opponents and the computer AI decides to help them, while my own players stands and watches. It doesn't feel even and makes it unfair. Countless times the game had decided where to pass for me rather than my own decision. I will pass towards a team member only for the game to pass in the opposite direction making me give up possession. I want to decide who I pass too, not what the computer thinks is best. Goalkeepers (even highly rated) are useless. I think there should be no scripting in the next game, let players play don't play for them it's not fair Single player is fun, but it lacks game modes.

Not sure how this is getting such high ratings. After 10 ranked 1v1 games, I didn't score a single goal. This is like in the lowest ranked league with the worst players in this game. I've been playing footie sims for the past 20 years. This is the first time I haven't scored in 10 matches. I'm requesting a refund from Nintendo once the transaction with the bank clears. If that fails, I'm disputing the transaction with my financial institution. I'm done being scammed by football simulations that promise to be something they are not.