This week, the Nintendo GameCube turns 20. This peek-catching machine would possibly maybe well want struggled against the unbelievable would possibly maybe well of the PlayStation 2, nevertheless few would argue that Sony’s machine used to be more stunning on a purely bodily stage. The boxy GameCube, entire with its recurring dart take care of, is a factual designate icon and its appealing aesthetics are perhaps one of many foremost causes it stays so beloved, even after two decades.
However, or no longer it is far straight forward to neglect that an a lot more stunning variant of the GameCube exists – though, with reported sales of simply 100,000 objects, you can no longer be blamed for having never considered one within the flesh. The Panasonic Q follows on from Engaging’s Twin Famicom – a Nintendo machine that wasn’t truly manufactured by Nintendo itself, nevertheless one other firm below licence – and for many collectors, is the crown jewel of Nintendo fandom.
It is far straight forward to dangle a look at why the Panasonic Q exists. The GameCube used to be the very best machine out of the three predominant consoles of the technology (PS2 and Xbox being the others) which failed to characteristic toughen for the treasure contemporary DVD movie layout which had simply hit the market, so, by introducing a varied model that did all the pieces (including the playback of music CDs and MP3 CDs), Panasonic would possibly maybe well doubtlessly slice out a successful area of interest for the more discerning Nintendo fan. To boot to the additional media functionality, the Panasonic Q is clad in a single of doubtlessly the most downright stunning shells ever considered. The mirrored entrance panel is festooned with buttons, whereas the metal casing positively exudes the affect of a top rate part of AV tools. Who wouldn’t want one of these? Properly, with a retail mark of ¥41,000 (around $375) when put next to the ¥25,000 ($227) being requested for the commonplace GameCube at open, the Panasonic Q used to be never going to be a mass-market proposition, attributable to this truth the aforementioned wicked sales. The console used to be discontinued on the end of 2003.
It is price noting that DVD playback used to be restricted to Space 2 because the Panasonic Q used to be never offered within the west, nevertheless many importers would provide modified objects that would bustle discs from varied areas. The Q supports a clear fluctuate of GameCube tools, with doubtlessly the most notable exception being the Sport Boy Player, which would no longer match below the machine attributable to its varied footprint. However, a clear Sport Boy Player used to be manufactured namely for the Panasonic Q and is insanely dear for the time being.
The same can even be acknowledged of the machine itself. Due to the its stunning designate, DVD functionality and low manufacturing bustle, the Panasonic Q is now one of doubtlessly the most sought-after objects of Nintendo-connected hardware. On condition that or no longer it is that you simply can glean to bag a 2d-hand GameCube for a extraordinarily cheap mark (now to no longer display the truth that DVD avid gamers dangle since been supplanted by Blu-ray avid gamers), there is runt cause to make investments in a Panasonic Q in 2021, beyond the style it looks to be like – nevertheless then, when a console is as stunning as this, perhaps that’s all of the cause you are going to like.
Is the Panasonic Q tumble-dead stunning, or glean you focus on or no longer it is unpleasant? Vote within the poll below and breeze away a recount to scream us, and the enviornment, your suggestions on this topic.
- Additional studying: Finest GameCube Games
