On Saturday I got Phantasy Star Online Episode I & II for the Nintendo GameCube, and a Broadband Adapter.

The Broadband (Ethernet) adapter was a 3 second install... pop the lid on the bottom of the game cube, slide the adapter in. Done. Getting it online was as easy as plugging the game cube into the wall jack (yes, I had an empty ethernet jack behind the TV in the living room) and telling the game to use DHCP.

Way back in 1989 or 1990, I rushed out to buy Phantasy Star II for the Sega Genesis on the first day of availability. It cost a bundle, it was a huge game for the day. I spent a LOT of time playing that game.

I'm really enjoying PSO, online and offline. I'm limiting myself to how much I play because I have more important things to do, but the time I give myself to play I'm loving. The game is great.

The only problem is, the game needs the keyboard controller (isn't that awesome looking?), and there is no keyboard for North American GameCube customers. Sega was supposed to have one available when PSO/GCN launched, but apparently the deal fell apart. The PSO message boards are full of people with open wallets begging for the thing to come to N.A.

I've emailed Nintendo and Sega asking them to get their act together, but the response wasn't positive. Nothing from Sega, and Nintendo said they had no plans to release a keyboard. I don't care if they release it or not, just that someone will. The communication/community aspect of the game is severely limited without the keyboard, we're really missing out on an important aspect of the MMORPG experience.

The next thing I'll have to do is email other peripheral makers, like MadCatz and ask them to pick up the ball.