PSO Episode III gets GBA link-up

Phantasy Star Online Episode III will link up with the Game Boy Advance, according to reports over the weekend. Although it's not yet clear how the handheld will be employed, Square Enix has already demonstrated how useful it can be in removing troublesome menu clutter in Final Fantasy.

As a major GameCube supporter, Sega has already made use of GC-GBA connectivity in both Sonic Adventure remakes, and in the original Phantasy Star Online, which allowed players to download NiGHTS and other distractions to the handheld via GBA link-up stations on board the Pioneer 2.

Nintendo has been pushing connectivity hard this year, using most of its fairly mediocre E3 conference to highlight games like The Sims Bustin' Out, Pac-Man and two rather frivolous Zelda derivatives. However the public has yet to be convinced by 'connectivity', no doubt thanks to extortionate GBA software pricing and the development community's almost total failure to capitalise on it thus far.

Phantasy Star Online Episode III: C.A.R.D. Revolution is due out in Europe during the first quarter of next year.