Panasonic Q:
Panasonic Q Panasonic Q.svg
Panasonic-Q-Console-Set.jpgPanasonic-Q-Console-Back.jpg
Top: The Panasonic Q shown with included controller. Above: The back of a Panasonic Q GameCube console.
Developer     Nintendo
Manufacturer     Panasonic
Nintendo
Product family     GameCube
Type     Video game console
DVD player
Generation     Sixth generation era
Release date     

    JP: December 13, 2001

Introductory price     ¥39,800
Discontinued     December 18, 2003
Media     Nintendo optical discs, DVD, CD(Audio CD, VCD, MP3 CD)
Operating system     Dolphin OS
CPU     IBM Gekko 485 MHz
Storage     GameCube Memory Card
Input     Remote control
Controller input     GameCube controller
Related articles     GameCube

The Panasonic Q (sometimes known as Q and GameQ) is a hybrid version of the GameCube with a DVD player manufactured by Panasonic in cooperation with Nintendo. The system was officially released only in Japan. A feature of its main competitors Xbox and PlayStation 2, the GameCube lacked commercial DVD movie playback functionality due to the use of the Nintendo optical discs format for games and the correspondingly small disc tray. The Q system was licensed by Nintendo and released on December 13, 2001 and listed at US$439.

Development

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

Panasonic and Nintendo announced they were ceasing production of the Q on December 18, 2003 due to low sales.
Hardware and accessories

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

The Q comes with a grey, Panasonic-branded controller and a remote control. The Q is capable of installing all of the GameCube hardware upgrades; however, due to the legs on the bottom, it requires a special Panasonic Q Game Boy Player unit designed specifically for it.