The updated version of GameCube's online flamebearer will soon see new features.
Following a tip from reader "anubis" which pointed us to interesting but conflicting game profiles at the official websites of Sega and Nintendo, PGC has now confirmed with Sega of America that Phantasy Star Online Episodes I&II Plus will be released in America very soon.
The game is an update of the original PSO Ep. I&II, which was the first (and for a long time, only) online title on GameCube. Plus was released in Japan some time ago, but with no announcements from Sega of America, it was assumed that the game would not be released stateside. We now know that the new version will be available here "very soon", but there is no exact official date yet. Nintendo's website's page for the game lists a Q3 2004 release window.
PSO Ep. I&II Plus enhances the original version with new offline quests and items, as well as many of the downloadable quests and GBA mini-games (including Nights) that have been offered to online players since the game's original release. There is also a new challenge mode.
