Alternative Next Gen Consoles

Tweet

As well as the Xbox One and Playstation 4 there are a number of alternative devices that are due to hit the market this year attempting to grab a piece of the lucrative console market by utilising the Android operating system.  Some of these are being developed by big technology companies such as Nvidia whilst others are being developed and brought to market by independent manufacturers via alternative funding methods like the Ouya which received it's funding via Kickstarter. Nvidia Shield The Shield handheld gaming device comes equipped with Nvidia's Tegra 4 Quad Core Mobile Processor, 2gb of RAM, an integrated 5 inch multi-touch display, and 16gb of flash storage.  The device runs Android's Jelly Bean operating system so the user can install games from Google's Play Store to play on the integrated screen or to output to your TV via the Mini-HDMI port on the back of the device.  As well as running Android games the Shield will give the user the ability to stream and control games from their GeForce GTX powered PC's using a wi-fi connection and will retail at $299 (no UK price has been announced yet). Ouya The Ouya games console will run a modified version of Android's Jelly Bean operating system and will feature an exclusive Ouya store for applications and games.  Out of the box the console will include TwitchTV, access to Onlive game streaming and will be open to rooting without validating the warranty.  In addition to this all owners will be able to use their Ouya consoles as developer kits allowing anyone to create games and applications for the device.  The system runs an Nvidia Tegra 3 system-on-chip with a 1.7 GHz Quad-Core Arm processor, 8gb flash storage, 1gb of RAM, and will plug directly into your TV via HDMI.  Every game or application on the Ouya is required to have a free component whether that be totally free, with a free trial or with in-app purchases or additional levels.  The Ouya will retail at $99 in the US and £99 in the UK. GameStick PlayJams GameStick console resembles a USB memory stick and plugs directly into the HDMI port of your TV allowing you to take your console anywhere you want.  The device features wi-fi allowing users to access the internet and bluetooth connectivity so up to 4 people can play simultaneously.  In addition the console will allow other Android and iOS devices to be used as controllers and will support XBMC for media streaming.  The GameStick offers similiar specs to the Ouya with an Amlogic 8726-MX system-on-chip, 1 gb of RAM, 8gb flash storage and will retail for $79 US or £79.99 UK. MOJO Madcatz have yet to release much in the way of details regarding their MOJO micro-console except for the fact that it will run Android (although which version is yet to be decided).  It will come with access to the Google Play store meaning you'll be able to download and play all those games you already bought on your Android phone or tablet. Gamepop The Gamepop console is a subscription based hardware and software solution offering mobile based gaming on your TV for $6.99 per month and, up until the end of June, this monthly cost includes the hardware also.  If you choose to cancel your subscription during the first 12 months you need to send the console back in working order and pay some re-stocking fees but after this it's yours to keep.  Specifications for the hardware haven't been shared yet but the console allows you to access more than 500 mobile games on your TV. Steambox There's alot of speculation out there regarding the upcoming Steambox from Valve.  At the moment there are no specifics regarding the hardware or software itself but it's expected that the hardware itself will be tightly controlled whilst the software will be open.  It's expected that the unit will ship with a Linux OS but users will be able to install Windows as an alternative OS if they want.  Xi3 revealed the Piston at the Consumer Electronics Show in January which is one of several designs that Valve are looking at for the Steambox however at $1000 you may as well build a gaming PC and use your TV as a monitor via HDMI ouput as it will work out cheaper and be more powerful.

As well as the Xbox One and Playstation 4 there are a number of alternative devices that are due to hit the market this year attempting to grab a piece of the lucrative console market by utilising the Android operating system.  Some of these are being developed by big technology companies such as Nvidia whilst others are being developed and brought to market by independent manufacturers via alternative funding methods like the Ouya which received it's funding via Kickstarter.

Nvidia Shield

The Shield handheld gaming device comes equipped with Nvidia's Tegra 4 Quad Core Mobile Processor, 2gb of RAM, an integrated 5 inch multi-touch display, and 16gb of flash storage.  The device runs Android's Jelly Bean operating system so the user can install games from Google's Play Store to play on the integrated screen or to output to your TV via the Mini-HDMI port on the back of the device.  As well as running Android games the Shield will give the user the ability to stream and control games from their GeForce GTX powered PC's using a wi-fi connection and will retail at $299 (no UK price has been announced yet).

Ouya

The Ouya games console will run a modified version of Android's Jelly Bean operating system and will feature an exclusive Ouya store for applications and games.  Out of the box the console will include TwitchTV, access to Onlive game streaming and will be open to rooting without validating the warranty.  In addition to this all owners will be able to use their Ouya consoles as developer kits allowing anyone to create games and applications for the device.  The system runs an Nvidia Tegra 3 system-on-chip with a 1.7 GHz Quad-Core Arm processor, 8gb flash storage, 1gb of RAM, and will plug directly into your TV via HDMI.  Every game or application on the Ouya is required to have a free component whether that be totally free, with a free trial or with in-app purchases or additional levels.  The Ouya will retail at $99 in the US and £99 in the UK.

GameStick

PlayJams GameStick console resembles a USB memory stick and plugs directly into the HDMI port of your TV allowing you to take your console anywhere you want.  The device features wi-fi allowing users to access the internet and bluetooth connectivity so up to 4 people can play simultaneously.  In addition the console will allow other Android and iOS devices to be used as controllers and will support XBMC for media streaming.  The GameStick offers similiar specs to the Ouya with an Amlogic 8726-MX system-on-chip, 1 gb of RAM, 8gb flash storage and will retail for $79 US or £79.99 UK.

MOJO

Madcatz have yet to release much in the way of details regarding their MOJO micro-console except for the fact that it will run Android (although which version is yet to be decided).  It will come with access to the Google Play store meaning you'll be able to download and play all those games you already bought on your Android phone or tablet.

Gamepop

The Gamepop console is a subscription based hardware and software solution offering mobile based gaming on your TV for $6.99 per month and, up until the end of June, this monthly cost includes the hardware also.  If you choose to cancel your subscription during the first 12 months you need to send the console back in working order and pay some re-stocking fees but after this it's yours to keep.  Specifications for the hardware haven't been shared yet but the console allows you to access more than 500 mobile games on your TV.

Steambox

There's alot of speculation out there regarding the upcoming Steambox from Valve.  At the moment there are no specifics regarding the hardware or software itself but it's expected that the hardware itself will be tightly controlled whilst the software will be open.  It's expected that the unit will ship with a Linux OS but users will be able to install Windows as an alternative OS if they want.  Xi3 revealed the Piston at the Consumer Electronics Show in January which is one of several designs that Valve are looking at for the Steambox however at $1000 you may as well build a gaming PC and use your TV as a monitor via HDMI ouput as it will work out cheaper and be more powerful.