Although Sonic's first appearance on a Nintendo console will grab the headlines, Sonic Team's commitment to the GameCube is further cemented with a version of Phantasy Star Online for the console. Phantasy Star Online for the GameCube is essentially a port of PSO Version 2, but with a variety of enhancements--the first of which is a four-player split-screen mode. According to recent reports, the game will join a secret Nintendo first-party product as the showpieces for the launch of the GameCube's online service. Phantasy Star Online for the GameCube will be released in Japan in early 2002.