OUYA Android Gaming Console

After a wildly successful Kickstarter campaign which saw a whopping $8.5 million raised by the general public, the open-source Ouya games console is finally a reality.

This diminutive cube-like device runs Android 4.1, boasts a Bluetooth controller and costs less than £100 - little wonder then that many within the games industry are predicting that it could steal away precious market share from the likes of theSony PS4, Microsoft Xbox One and Nintendo Wii U.



However, while Ouya is the most famous of a new wave of Android-based gaming platforms, it’s not unique in the field - this year will also see the launch ofGameStick, Mad Catz has M.O.J.O. in development and the Nvidia Shield handheld console is also being prepared for launch in June - all of these rival systems are running Google’s OS as well.

Being first to market doesn’t always assure success, and while the concept behind the console is certainly exciting, it’s fair to say that Ouya comes with its fair share of niggles.
Ouya: Size and build

Created by renowned Swiss designer Yves Béhar, Ouya is a clean-looking cube fashioned from metal and plastic, and measures just 75mm x 75mm x 82mm. There’s a power button on the top, but aside from that there are no other physical keys anywhere on the console.

Around the back there’s a selection of ports, and a surprisingly silent fan resides in the base. Despite its small size, Ouya weighs a chunky 300g.
Ouya: Features

Ouya runs Google’s Android operating system, but comes with its own menu system and interface. Although the software running the system is the same as that found in phones like the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One, Ouya isn’t compatible with the Google Play market - so you can’t log in and download all your previously purchased games.



Instead, you’ll have to use the official Ouya store, which doesn’t have anywhere near as many quality games right now. This also means you’ll end up paying twice for some titles when they eventually get ported over, which is a bit annoying.



Under the bonnet, Ouya is powered by Nvidia’s Tegra 3 chipset. This ensures some pretty impressive 3D performance with HD visuals, but the tech feels slightly outdated these days - Android devices were running this chip last year, and Nvidia’s aforementioned Shield handheld console ships with Tegra 4, which will offer far superior graphics.



In terms of connectivity, Ouya functions very much like an Android tablet. It has built-in Bluetooth so you can pair keyboards, mice and other gamepads. It also boasts WiFi and wired internet, and a USB 2.0 port which allows you to plug in additional storage (the unit comes with 8GB of internal flash) and other wired USB peripherals. In terms of connectivity, Ouya really benefits from its Android ancestry.
Ouya: Controller

Although it has been described by the team behind the console as the “Stradivarius controller”, the Ouya’s joypad isn’t quite as refined as that. Like the system, it’s a fusion of sand-blasted aluminium and plastic. The layout is clearly inspired by the Xbox 360 controller, but the build quality is slightly underwhelming.

The face buttons often become stuck when pressed down hard, and the metal plates which cover the battery compartments (it needs two AAs to operate) don’t sit entirely flush when locked in place.