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Posted December 28, 2012 by Adam in Android
 
 

OUYA Console Unboxing Video

OUYA Console image
OUYA Console image

One of the Kickstarted success stories of 2012, the cheap, portable Android based OUYA console, comes a little bit closer to reality this week with the shipping of 1,200 developer consoles. To celebrate this milestone, an unboxing video has been released showing the translucent copies of the console and controllers that developers will be using to create their titles.

The video also shows how easy it is to dismantle the console for those wishing to hack the hardware. Firmware/software modding is also encouraged as there are no licensing agreements or terms and conditions behind the purchase of the console unlike those found with the Xbox or PlayStation.

Final specs for the system are listed below, alongside a screenshot of what the OUYA Store UI may look like upon release.

  • Tegra3 quad-core processor
  • 1GB RAM
  • 8GB of internal flash storage
  • HDMI connection to the TV, with support for up to 1080p HD
  • WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
  • Bluetooth LE 4.0
  • USB 2.0 (one)
  • Wireless controller with standard controls (two analog sticks, d-pad, eight action buttons, a system button), a touchpad
  • Android Jelly Bean
  • Ethernet
  • Micro-USB port (note – this appeared as a surprise in the developer version of the console, no confirmation yet as to whether this will be included in the retail version).

OUYA Console image

The development kit has already been launched online and there could be an interesting slew of titles primed and ready for release by the March date due to the console being built on Android. Essentially any Android title can easily be ported over into the OUYA store which operates the same open publishing system as Google Play.

This definitely feels like a double edged sword given the amount of crapware floating around the aforementioned market place. Whilst it’s a nice alternative to the heavily locked down Apple store, it would be great to have a happy medium where at least some form of vetting takes place to avoid a deluge of rubbish hitting the store. Which you’ll then have to sift through.

It’ll be interesting to see exactly how this pans out, with the console attempting to disrupt the mobile phone gaming market rather than upset the big three console developers. That all said, when graphically underpowered titles like Hotline Miami, Faster Than Light and Retro City Rampage feature prominently on many games of the year lists, there’s no reason why it couldn’t give the big three a pause for thought.

With Sony refusing to re-establish the otherOS function on the PlayStation 3, Microsoft keeping it’s Live service back in the dark ages and Nintendo seemingly more interested in upholding German law than putting the customer first… you could argue that the market is begging for a more open platform to emerge. As evidenced by Valve’s plans to bring the Steam client to Linux and numerous industry concerns around the Windows 8 implementation of a locked down store front through which to download apps and games (although you can still install such programmes and games the old way via an .exe file).

The Rubik’s Cube sized mini-console is set to retail at $99 and is slated for release this March and can be pre ordered now from http://www.ouya.tv/


Adam

 
Playing games since I'd developed enough motor functions to hold a joystick. From Commodore 64 all the way through to the latest gen. Favourite games to play are FPS games and anything with a deep and compelling story and a world that draws you in. I also enjoy writing, film making and playing bass in whatever band will have me :)