Asus May Be Developing an Android Game Box
Here comes another Android console.
Do we really need another Android console? Apparently so, as evidence suggests that Asus is jumping on that very bandwagon, possibly looking to score where a few of the current solutions have failed to hit. The device will be called Game Box, and the specs have appeared on AnTuTu while the controller struts its stuff all over the Bluetooth Special Interest Group website.
"Bluetooth 3.0 HID K+M combo device module," reads the description. "It is Android system for gaming markets that also added mouse mold for controlling on smart TV. 10 meters wireless Bluetooth control, 430mAH for up to 12 hours playing time."
Honestly, the Asus gamepad looks too much like a PlayStation DualShock controller, featuring the same rings of D-pad and action buttons (without the symbols). Admittedly, it's a bit more arched than Sony's gamepad, but at first glance, this controller could be mistaken as a third-party solution for the PlayStation console.
On the specs side, the Game Box will sport a quad-core Nvidia Tegra 4 (1.6 GHz – 1.9 GHz), a screen resolution of 1280 x 720, 2 GB of RAM, 8 GB of internal storage and Android 4.3 "KitKat." Storage will likely be expanded using a microSD card and/or USB 2.0/3.0 port.
The benchmarks show the Game Box to be somewhat on par with Nvidia's own Shield handheld console. On a whole, the Shield did better, scoring a 37389 while the Asus unit scored 36024. On the 3D front, the Shield did slightly better while the Game Box had better performance in 2D rendering (by one point).
So far, the current Android console selections on the market include the OUYA, Nvidia's SHIELD, the GameStick, GamePop and the Mad Catz M.O.J.O. Amazon is rumored to be working on a set-top box with gaming capabilities, as well as Google. Heck, for all we know, Asus could be constructing the console for Google since they're already partners in the tablet arena.
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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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knowom Controller is nice, but otherwise it's not anymore impressive than Mad CatZ M.O.J.O. or Nvidia's SHIELD so it's nothing too exciting.Reply -
knowom By the controller is nice comment I was referring to the play-station style D-Pad which I personally feel is the best D-Pad around.Reply -
JD88 Everything comes down to price. How successful this will be is to be determined by how far under $200 they can keep it.Reply -
jasonelmore I've got a Nvidia Shield, and honestly, the rest of these android consoles feel inferior. Nvidia's Console can do much more than these consoles, and it comes with a screen to boot.Streaming my PC Games is one thing, but Nvidia has the best game button mapping system on the market. Its has HUGE support from the emulator developers, and it can essentially become a N64, PS2, Game Boy (all of them), or PSP at a whims notice.Additionally if you install Unified Remote, you can basically control your whole setup from your bed.I cant wait for the new version. I really hope they add a bigger higher res display, Nvidia K1 Chip, Camera (front and back), and IR Blaster (for remote purposes). The controller quality is already phenomenal.Reply -
edmoncu Asus should have just focused on building a more powerful steambox rather than the stagnant and redundant android gaming market.Reply -
Datcu Alexandru On a side note by phone has better specs, better resolution (full 1080p). A big screen (6.9). And can be connected to a tv and a gamepad.What is the point of this console again?Reply -
Datcu Alexandru ReplyOn a side note my phone has better specs, better resolution (full 1080p). A big screen (6.9). And can be connected to a tv and a gamepad.What is the point of this console again?
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DrBackwater Whys everybody storming the atari market clone from the 2$ store.I mean i like those retro, a bit games with 200 classics for 50$, but why the repeat with android.Reply