The Panasonic Q is a rare hybrid console for Nintendo. In the past, Nintendo have only released one hybrid console this way and it was with Sharp. Sharp obtained a license from Nintendo to release a Famicom Twin model. Nintendo and Sony were due to develop a SNES CD hybrid, Nintendo backed off. Sony then developed the renowned Playstation console and the rest is history, this may have been due in part to the poor sales of the Sharp model. Anyway, Panasonic and Nintendo signed an agreement where Panasonic would provide the optical drives for Gamecube and as part of this agreement they were allowed to produce the Q.
Aesthetically the Q is a very sleek machine, it's only a tad bigger than a standard Gamecube but it has a mirrored faceplate with clear blue LEDs and backlighting. As with a standard Gamecube it has four controller ports and two memory card slots. It also has the following features:
- Gamecube software capability
- DVD capability
- Video CD and MP3 capability
CD, CD-R and CD-RW playback
CD, CD-R and CD-RW playback
Although the Panasonic Q hasn’t been formally released outside of Japan, you can still pick one up at a number of import websites, including the popular http://www.lik-sang.com. Think twice before making an order since it’ll cost you up to £300 plus the shipping bill.
