It has long been suspected that the GameCube/DVD hybrid, now known as “Q,” was a Japan-only product. These suspicions were confirmed today in a statement made by a Panasonic spokesperson, reports Reuters.

``It's simply a Japan device. ... Right now there are absolutely no plans for U.S. marketing,'' said Kurt Praschak, a Panasonic spokesman

The Q will launch in Japan on December 14th. We’ll keep you posted on any new developments.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A hybrid DVD player and Nintendo (news - web sites) GameCube video game console set for a December launch in Japan will not be released in the United States at all, a spokesman for Panasonic said on Friday.

Earlier this week in Tokyo, Panasonic, the consumer electronics brand of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. (6752.T), unveiled the ``Q,'' which is a combination of a DVD player and Nintendo's new console.

``It's simply a Japan device. ... Right now there are absolutely no plans for U.S. marketing,'' said Kurt Praschak, a Panasonic spokesman.

The GameCube itself uses a smaller disc than the standard DVD format and is unable to play DVDs. The two companies announced earlier this year that Panasonic would produce its own unit with licensed GameCube technology.

Panasonic plans to sell the device from Dec. 14 in Japan for the equivalent of around $325.

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A Nintendo spokesman said he was unaware if there were any licensing restriction in Panasonic's deal with Nintendo that would keep the ``Q'' from being released in the United States.

thanks to Hector Rodriguez for the tip!