On the surface, an Option File (.max, .xps, .npo) is a memory card save containing edited team names, player transfers, kit data, and emblems. But for Winning Eleven 10, it was a lifeline. Konami only had licenses for a handful of leagues (Serie A, La Liga, Eredivisie). The Premier League was “North London” (Arsenal), “Merseyside Red” (Liverpool), and “Man Blue” (Manchester City—not United).

An Option File replaced:

An Option File for WE10 is a saved data file (usually .max, .xps, .cbs, or .npo) that contains:

Option Files do not change commentary, menu music, or core gameplay mechanics. They are purely data edits.

Winning Eleven 10 (released in Japan on April 27, 2006) is the direct predecessor to Pro Evolution Soccer 6 (PES 6) for Western markets. While PES 6 is more widely known globally, WE10 is often considered the superior version by purists due to:

However, like all Winning Eleven/PES titles on PS2, WE10 lacks official licenses for many leagues, kits, team names, and player names. This is where the Option File becomes essential.

Emulation has given Winning Eleven 10 a second life. PCSX2 supports virtual memory cards, so loading an old Option File is drag-and-drop. Retro football communities on Reddit (r/WEPES, r/WinningEleven) still request and share “2024/25 season updates” for WE10—a game nearly two decades old.

Recent fan-made Option Files (2022–2024) have:

| Type | Description | |------|-------------| | Basic OF | Corrected names, some transfers, basic kits (using in-game editor). | | Full OF | Real kits (using pixel-by-pixel editing in-game or imported via PC), full transfers, correct appearances. | | Patch-Compatible OF | Designed to work with an ISO patch (e.g., patches that add Bundesliga, Champions League graphics, etc.). | | Classic / Retro OF | Focuses on retro teams, classic players, historical squads. | | Season-Specific OF | Recreates a particular season (e.g., 2005–06, 2006–07). |

For those playing on PC via the PCSX2 emulator, the process is trivial. This is how most retro players experience WE10 in 4K upscaled resolution.

Steps:

Pro Tip: For PCSX2, seek out "Winning Eleven 10 Complete Patch" – these are ISO hacks that combine an option file with texture mods (scoreboard overlays, HD kits, and chants).