Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 on the DS is one of those games that makes you forget you're playing on a handheld. The controls are surprisingly tight for a soccer game on this system—passing feels crisp, and you can actually pull off decent dribbles with the stylus. Graphics are obviously scaled down from console versions, but the animations are smooth enough that matches don’t feel choppy.

What surprised me was how much depth they packed in. You’ve got your usual exhibition matches, but there’s also a Master League mode where you manage transfers and team growth. Took me a few tries to get the hang of formations, but once it clicks, setting up plays feels rewarding. The AI isn’t perfect—sometimes defenders just stand there—but it’s way better than I expected from a DS soccer game.

If you’re used to FIFA, the pacing here is a bit slower, more tactical. Not bad, just different. And yeah, the rosters are outdated now, but that’s part of the charm—playing with legends before they retired. Still holds up if you want portable football without gimmicks.