Sega announced today that the latest in their Phantasy Star series will see a worldwide release this fall. Released in Japan just three weeks ago, Phantasy Star Zero features action RPG gameplay along with in-depth online play featuring touch screen-based visual chat through the Nintendo WiFi Connection.

Phantasy Star Zero is set 200 years after the "Great Blank" (a massive war that nearly exterminated mankind) on an alternate earth 200 years later. The survivors have taken on the role of Hunters, and explore the wilderness, eliminating deadly monsters in order to protect the cities. Players will take control of a Hunter character and select from three different races and classes. Through use of 350 unique weapons players will fight through the wilderness while discovering a threatening new force and unraveling the mystery behind the "Great Blank.

Phantasy Star Ø Announced For US And Europe Release

An All-New Phantasy Star Adventure Begins on Nintendo DS

SAN FRANCISCO & LONDON (January 9, 2009) – SEGA® of America, Inc. and SEGA® Europe Ltd. today announced that Phantasy Star™ Ø (pronounced "zero") the brand new Phantasy Star RPG adventure, will be coming to North America and Europe. Phantasy Star Ø is one of the most highly anticipated Nintendo DS™ titles coming out in 2009 with innovative features found only on Nintendo DS like the Visual Chat interface, addictive action-RPG gameplay, top-notch visual quality and exhilarating multiplayer modes.

"The Phantasy Star series has enjoyed great success because of its intuitive gameplay, unique style and engaging online multiplayer modes and we’re excited to premiere the first Phantasy Star game on Nintendo DS," states Sean Ratcliffe, Vice President of Marketing for SEGA of America. "With the advanced features of Nintendo DS, that include touch screen-based Visual Chat and in-depth online play, Phantasy Star Ø will thrill fans of the series and also appeal to a new generation of gamers."

Phantasy Star Ø takes place on an alternate Earth 200 years after the "Great Blank," a massive war that has reduced the once-prosperous civilization to almost nothing. The sole surviving Humans have worked hard to exist peacefully and have built thriving Cities. The Humans that adventure past the outskirts of these Cities, called Hunters, explore the vast wilderness and hunt dangerous monsters to keep Cities safe. Players will take up the role of Hunters and select from three types of races and different classes, as well as gender for a total of 14 customizable character types. Each character type will play very differently and give players access to a great range of items, armor and weapons. Featuring over 350 unique weapons, gamers will venture out on "Earth", combat dangerous monsters to gain experience and meet new major characters. As players explore further, they will unravel the mystery of the "Great Blank" and discover a dangerous new force that must be stopped.

Featuring both wireless and full Wi-Fi multiplayer options, Phantasy Star Ø takes advantage of the touch screen capabilities of Nintendo DS with the new Visual Chat feature. Gamers can now design their own Visual Chat commands that can be used in multiplayer modes. These Visual Chat commands will be displayed as "text bubbles" above the user’s character, enabling easy and fun communication when adventuring with friends.

Phantasy Star™ Ø is slated to release Fall 2009 exclusively for Nintendo DS™. More details and much more information will be revealed in the coming months.