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Panasonic Stops Production Of GameCube-Based Q

Posted by simoniker on from the cube-oddity dept.

cdneng2 writes "Gamesindustry.biz has the scoop that Matsushita (Panasonic) has stopped production of the Nintendo Q system. For those of you who weren't aware, the Q system was an integrated Gamecube and DVD player. Too bad it wasn't offered in the United States at all." IGN Gear had a review of the Panasonic Q when it first launched in early 2002, and now that "Matsushita intends to cease manufacture of the device immediately", the device's collectible status seems assured.

15 of 23 comments (clear)

  1. Get 'em while they last... by Kris_J · · Score: 3, Informative

    Nintendo's favourite company, Lik-Sang, has modified versions of the Q with multi-region support. Unfortunately it's just too big, heavy and expensive for me to risk importing.

  2. But, but, why? by cgranade · · Score: 1

    This was a great, if overpriced, device. Functional, geeky, sleek, and just plain cool. If it didn't sell well, it wasn't the device's fault- it was the makers for not marketing it harder, and for perhaps not working on lowering the price point.
    All that aside, I wonder how much this has to do with the device, and how much it has to do with politics and not pissing of Nintendo, though I can't imagine why they'd mind. I mean, they get royalties, and the system isn't their main cash cow: that'd be the games. Oh, well. Chalk up another causualty of the console wars!

    --

    #define DRM chmod 000

    1. Re:But, but, why? by Babbster · · Score: 3, Insightful

      The best explanation for it going off the market is that it had run its course. All the people who wanted a Gamecube but wished it had DVD(plus extras) functionality probably got one and that was that. Add into this the fact that the Gamecube is going for under US$100 and you can get a region-free DVD player (with VCD, MP3, etc.) for less than US100, and the product just isn't that enticing - even to geeks - anymore.

  3. Re:Nintendo wants to compete in this space by Babbster · · Score: 1
    Can I just compliment you on how well you crafted that troll? It took me a good 60 seconds before I stopped composing a hate reply to you talking about how stupid it is to think that Panasonic stopped making a product because of another product with a similar color.

    Seriously, well done.

  4. Panasonic? by OneFix · · Score: 1

    They're probably just pissed about the 3DO.

    No, really...the hardware helped to kill the system...They're just showing that they really shouldn't be doing anything as complicated as a console. Marketing was also a problem with the 3DO, but it's obvious that they just don't belong selling this hardware...they obviously don't know what the ppl want (and marketing goes right along with that)...

    My guess is that anyone who wants DVD Video support will stick with the PS2 because of the amount of games available for it...Panasonic just couldn't see that...

    Now, as for stereos and stand-alone players, they're great...just can't market the stuff they sell...

    1. Re:Panasonic? by GaimeGuy · · Score: 1

      If I want DVD video support, I'll go out and buy a damn DVD player of higher quality AND cheaper price than the Ps2's player, thank you very much.

    2. Re:Panasonic? by PainKilleR-CE · · Score: 1

      ...and a GameCube, and probably still pay less than you would for a PS2.

      Which, of course, is the problem with the Q (not to mention the limited distribution since it's not available in the US except through importers). You combine 2 different devices that are each available for ~$100 today, and it comes out to $400? Umm yeah, that'll sell.

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      -PainKilleR-[CE]
  5. How? by calebtucker · · Score: 1

    How did Panasonic even get away with building the Q in the first place? Doesn't Nintendo own the rights to the GC design? That's like me deciding to build and market a new improved PS2 that's able to easily play pirated games.

    Maybe I'm just stupid, but that doesn't make any sense at all to me. Is Nintendo related to Panasonic or something?

    --
    My sig can beat up your sig.
    1. Re:How? by unclethursday · · Score: 2, Informative
      Panasonic's parent company, Matsushita, worked with Nintendo to design the GC disk drives and the mini-DVD disks that the GC uses.

      They are a partner with Nintendo on the GameCube, bust like IBM, ATi, and MoSys are.

      Really, all they did was take the GC drive, make it bigger and able to read both GC disks and DVDs (and CDs) and market it. This was done with Nintendo's blessing, as Nintendo only wanted to market the game-machine-only GC, while Panasonic could market the multi-function Q.

  6. When you consider... by gamgee5273 · · Score: 1
    The new PS2 without the iLink (FireWire) port BUT with the progressive scan DVD capability, the IR port built-in and the eject button on the remote (finally!), I'm not surprised that Panasonic is pulling out of this area. The GC is a great machine, but if you can buy a GC for $99 and a Panasonic DVD player for roughly the same price... it seems silly for Panasonic to keep making the Q.

    They are nice looking machines, though...

    1. Re:When you consider... by UWC · · Score: 1

      If you're talking about the new Online Pack or whatever they're calling it, the only thing that made it on that was the progressive scan and the broadband adapter. I bought it when it came out (I finally decided there were too many games that I wanted for it to just not get one), and it seems to just be a PS2 with the broadband adapter and updated DVD software (though I've not bought the extra cables to try the progressive scan, nor do I have a TV that even has the right inputs). The iLink port is still there, as are 2 USB ports, and I see absolutely no sign of an IR receiver anywhere.

      --
      Honor Among Slackers. A veri
    2. Re:When you consider... by gamgee5273 · · Score: 1

      Nope... the new model is SCPH-50001. It was released in Japan back in the late spring of this year. Check out http://www.psxnation.com/reviews/hardwarereviews?i dnumber=37 for more info.

  7. Re:Sexy by unclethursday · · Score: 1
    Agreed. The metallic reflective chrome does make it one sexy piece of machinery.

    But, it is huge compared to it's cousin.

    But... it... would... look... so... good... next... to... my... HDTV... Must... resist..

  8. Might as well... fixed link. by AllenChristopher · · Score: 1

    The correct link to the SCPH-50001, the improved PS2. (Not the PSX)

  9. Well, dammit. by SuperMo0 · · Score: 1

    If the stupid thing hadn't have been prohibitively priced for importing, I might have gotten one.

    But I still want one... :(