Panasonic Q

Panasonic Q

The Q is a hybrid version of the Nintendo GameCube with a DVD player manufactured by Panasonic in cooperation with Nintendo. The system was only officially released in Japan. Since the GameCube lacked DVD playback functionality, a feature its competitors had, the system was licensed by Nintendo and was released on December 13, 2001. The Q was first listed at US$439, but a modified version that allowed users to play DVDs from all regions was listed at $499.

Nintendo's uncharacteristic decision to license the gaming technology to Panasonic was a result of the deal brokered between Matsushita (owners of the Panasonic brand) and Nintendo. When Nintendo signed Matsushita as the producer of the optical disc drives that power the GameCube, an agreement was struck allowing Matsushita to produce a DVD system with the capability to play GameCube games.

Other features of the Q include a backlit LCD, a front-loading slot disc tray, an optical sound output supporting Dolby Digital 5.1, a separate subwoofer jack, and a stainless steel chassis.

Panasonic announced they were ceasing production of the Q in December 18, 2003 due to low sales. As it is quite possible to obtain a standard GameCube and a standalone DVD player for less than the price of the unit, the Panasonic Q is not a very common purchase except for some serious collectors.

The DVD-ROM drive in the Q is meant to read both video DVDs and GameCube games. Because of this, the laser used in the drive is better able to read all types of burned GameCube games; a burned game that a standard GameCube refuses to play might be read fine by a Q. However, the Q still requires the installation of a modchip (such as the Qoob Pro or SX) to play burned games.