OUYA Android Console Now in Stores, Sells Out Quick
OUYA is finally here, but can it stand up against the pricier Nvidia Shield or a $199 tablet with HDMI output? Possibly, as it's already sold out at GameStop and Amazon.
The boxy little Android console called OUYA has finally gone retail, arriving at online and local store shelves across North America, Canada and the UK for $99.99 USD. Participating retailers include Amazon (U.S., Canada, and the UK), Best Buy, GAME (UK), GameStop, and Target, and on OUYA.tv. Additional controllers retail for $49.99.
"On OUYA, gamers can try out every game with no obligation to buy, and new games are uploaded constantly. Games are ranked based on the “fun factor,” not revenue or number of downloads, with all games and apps digitally delivered – meaning no more discs to buy, and you own your games forever," the company said on Tuesday.
The actual console measures just 3 x 3 inches and features a brushed aluminum finish. It has a forked version of Android, relying on a custom four-channel interface that's simple to use. It's powered by Nvidia's Tegra 3 chip which as of now is a bit outdated given Tegra 4 is rolling out in products like the competing Nvidia Shield Android handheld console. But it's also $100 compared to Nvidia's $300 pricetag.
As shown in our hands-on at E3, the interface includes a Discover Channel which categorizes games by player engagement while also listing favorites by guest developers. There's also a Make Channel that uses OUYA’s built-in software development kit to enable creators to build and test games, later allowing a direct relationship with OUYA gamers through the system.
"To date, more than 17,000 game creators worldwide have registered to make an OUYA game -- from established publishers like Sega and Square Enix, to emerging studios like Double Fine Productions, Tripwire Interactive, and Kim Swift’s Airtight Games, and up-and-coming indie creators like Matt Thorson and Adam Spragg – ensuring a steady stream of games spanning familiar genres to mind-blowing, out-of-this-world game experiences," the company said.
OUYA began as a Kickstarter project on July 10, 2012. The funding period ended on August 9, 2012, and reeled in 63,416 backers pledging $8,596,474 USD – the goal was merely $950,000 USD. The console was released to developers on December 28, 2012 followed by Kickstarter funders on March 28. Both were incomplete models, the latter of which leading to early but negative hands-on reviews. We're still waiting to get our own console.
One possible roadblock OUYA may face is its closed network. Customers who already purchased games from Google Play and Amazon Appstore will be required to purchase their titles again whereas owners of the Nvidia Shield and the upcoming Mad Catz M.O.J.O. and GameStick consoles won't be required to repurchase games (GamePop will use a subscription model).
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UPDATE: That was quick: it's already sold out at Amazon and GameStop. Even more, not all Kickstarter backers have received their console as of this news post.
Kevin Parrish has over a decade of experience as a writer, editor, and product tester. His work focused on computer hardware, networking equipment, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others.
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Mike Honcho That's pretty fecal of them to have these available at retail locations before they get them to all of their kickstarter backers.Reply -
BringMeAnother Haha, the "fun factor". I think I'd rather rely on something concrete like number downloads rather than this nebulous concept that probably nobody can give a definition everybody can agree with.Reply -
ddpruitt ReplyThat was quick: it's already sold out at Amazon and GameStop.
"Quick" depends on how many they had to begin with. -
Stimpack It's actually really fecal of them. They sent out an apology email, but apologies don't cut it. I'm also pissed that they screwed me over on the controller. They "fixed" the faceplate issue after sending mine out, so I'm left with their beta crap. Also their resolution issues with forcing 1080p on 720p TVs is a joke. All of this said, the thing is worth it for XBMC. That's about the only good thing to come out of it so far.Reply -
Keyz Karanza Anyone who didn't get one won't have long to wait. Just pick up one of the thousands that will be returned to the stores first thing tomorrow. M.O.J.O. anyone?Reply -
samwelaye Reply11038344 said:Haha, the "fun factor". I think I'd rather rely on something concrete like number downloads rather than this nebulous concept that probably nobody can give a definition everybody can agree with.
Fun factor isnt a good way of describing it. Its basically an algorithm that looks at total time played on that game, and how long people play a given game per session. The games with the most total play time, and time per session are probably more fun than games that people play for 2 minutes. I believe they have plans for sorting by day, week, month, and lifetime. I forget my source though -
therabiddeer "That was quick: it's already sold out at Amazon and GameStop. Even more, not all Kickstarter backers have received their console as of this news post."Reply
Is that even allowed? From their kickstarter:
"GET AN OUYA: console and controller. Guarantee we will have one available for you, before it gets to stores."
Further: "Estimated delivery: Mar 2013"
Not only is it nearly 4 months late they are pushing it to retail first? -
teh_chem "OUYA is finally here, but can it stand up against the pricier Nvidia Shield or a $199 tablet with HDMI output? Possibly, as it's already sold out at GameStop and Amazon."Reply
Shield will fail on its own.
Any tegra3 tablet is mostly worthless for gaming on an external monitor due to the framebuffer/bandwidth issues of the processor, it can't keep up with two displays at once for a lot of games. So it's not really an apt comparison to OUYA.
Despite being a successful kickstarter project (whatever that means, lol), OUYA will not be a successful consumer product. I don't care if they sold out; given that a lot of kickstarter backers didn't get their units yet, there probably weren't many OUYA's available in stores in the first place given the gross lack of manufactured units. So "selling out" isn't really important or noteworthy when there are likely not many units to sell out of. -
icemunk A friend of mine ordered his on day one from the kickstarter, and has yet to receive his. It was just shipped from China, so it's another 3 weeks still... pathetic.Reply