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Engadget's Holiday Gift Guide 2013: Gaming
Welcome to Engadget's holiday gift guide! Head back to our hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the month. This is an especially good year for gamers: With major consoles from Microsoft and Sony debuting just in time for the holidays, there are some pretty obvious items to add to the wish list. If hand-held gaming is more your thing, don't fret; we've got you covered, too.
Mad Catz working with NVIDIA to bring GameStream to MOJO
Remember that PC streaming feature Mad Catz' MOJO is supposed to be getting sometime after launch? It might be powered by NVIDIA's GameStream technology. "We're talking to NVIDIA and we hope to enable GameStream soon after the launch of the console," Alex Verrey, Mad Catz' Global PR Director told Engadget at Expand NY this weekend. Right now, the technology is only available on NVIDIA's own Shield handheld -- if the Mad Catz deal pans out, it would be the first appearance of GameStream on a third party device. Verrey stopped just short of confirming the partnership, but suggested that the company was looking at other platforms, too. "We're also very excited for Steam and we look at all these opportunities with interest."
Nvidia Shield update adds Console Mode, improved PC streaming
The Nvidia Shield just became a much more attractive gaming device, thanks to a new, "massive" update. Most notably, the update enables the Shield's "Console Mode," which allows players to link a Bluetooth controller to the Shield to play games on the nearest television, much like traditional gaming machines. Nvidia would obviously prefer you use the official Shield controller to play games in Console Mode, but given the ubiquity of Bluetooth it should now be possible to connect a wide range of controllers to the Shield (including Sony's DualShock 3). Alongside Console Mode, Nvidia also improved Android support in the Shield. "Hundreds" of Android games are now playable on Nvidia's machine, and the company even went to the trouble of designing a utility dubbed "Gamepad Mapper" which allows for use of traditional controllers in Android games originally designed for a touchscreen interface. Streaming games from a PC to the Shield has also been improved, with "50 of the best PC games" now supported. To further tempt users, Nvidia has also unveiled a promotion in which those who purchase "select GeForce GTX graphics cards" alongside a Shield will receive a $100 discount on the computer/console hybrid as well as free PC copies of Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag, Batman: Arkham Origins and Splinter Cell: Blacklist. Full details on this promotion and this morning's update are available on the Shield website.
NVIDIA Shield update brings Android 4.3, Console Mode and official Gamestream support
NVIDIA promised that we'd see big upgrades to its Shield gaming system today, and it's delivering them in spades. A just-launched Android 4.3 update introduces Console Mode, which lets players steer a TV-connected Shield through a Bluetooth gamepad; NVIDIA supplies a button mapping utility that adds hardware controls to games which expect touch input. The release also takes Gamestream out of beta, providing official PC-to-Shield streaming for more than 50 titles. A few interface-level tweaks come with the new OS, including actionable notifications, restricted profiles and the option of moving app files to an SD card. The update should be rolling out now, but gamers who don't yet have a Shield now have an extra incentive to pick one up. NVIDIA is lopping $100 off the system's price as part of a bundle that includes a GeForce GTX graphics card as well as copies of Assassin's Creed 4, Batman: Arkham Origins and Splinter Cell: Blacklist.
Nvidia Shield adding 'console mode,' streaming leaves beta
The Nvidia Shield has been a solution in search of a problem, and this week the company began a justification campaign for the $300 device's existence with some interesting upgrades. This week the company announced Nvidia GameStream, due to launch on October 28, and the Shield "console mode." A big selling point of the Shield to begin with was the ability to stream PC games to the device. That will leave beta on the 28th. Initially it will support local PC streaming for "more than 50 top PC games," but the long-term plan is to support Nvidia's Grid cloud gaming service. Even more interesting is the "Shield Console Mode," which turns the device into a microconsole, similar to concepts like Ouya and PlayStation Vita TV. Attaching Shield to a TV via HDMI and then pairing it with a "Nyko PlayPad Pro Bluetooth controller," users can stream PC games, play Android games, browse the internets and "watch their favorite movies at native 1080p." The Shield will offer $100 off beginning October 28 with free copies of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, Splinter Cell: Blacklist and Batman: Arkham Origins. The company plans to share details on participating retailers soon.
This week on gdgt: NVIDIA's Shield, Samsung's S4 mini, and camping tech
Each week, our friends at gdgt go through the latest gadgets and score them to help you decide which ones to buy. Here are some of their most recent picks. Want more? Visit gdgt anytime to catch up on the latest, and subscribe to gdgt's newsletter to get a weekly roundup in your inbox.
Nvidia Shield sales are 'great,' production ramping up soon
Sales of Nvidia's Android-powered gaming handheld, the Nvidia Shield, have inspired confidence in the platform's future from Nvidia's leaders, GamesIndustry international reports. Senior Director of Investor Relations Chris Evenden describes sales as "great" and says "everything that we shipped so far has sold out ... we're just starting to ramp production." Despite Nvidia's optimism for the Shield, the company's Q2 reports show a 6.4 percent drop in revenue and a 19 percent decline in net income year-over-year. Nvidia CEO Jen-Hsun Huang says the company expects a "strong second half" of the year due to the Shield launching outside of the U.S. and the introduction of more Tegra 4-powered devices to the market.
Shield from Nvidia review
If necessity is the mother of invention, then the Nvidia Shield is a parentless enigma. The Shield is an interesting marriage of analog and touch-based tech, a $300 device with a clamshell design housing a "retinal" display – a 720p multi-touch OLED – all on top of a hefty dual-analog control setup beneath it. It's an impressive piece of technology, one that can stream PC games, play Android games and output anything to a TV via mini-HDMI. The Shield accomplishes a great number of tasks but, outside of PC game streaming, it doesn't fill a need that isn't already being fulfilled elsewhere by cheaper devices.%Gallery-188227%
Nvidia Shield shipping on July 31 to hands near you
Nvidia's Android-powered handheld gaming system Shield will ship July 31, Nvidia announced. The system was originally expected to launch June 27, but shipment was pushed back to July due to a mechanical issue found during the console's QA process. Our hands-on time with the Shield found some similarities to the Xbox 360 controller, with a little more bulk than a PlayStation Vita, thanks in no small part to its 5-inch, multi-touch, 720p display. %Gallery-188227%
Nvidia Shield pushed back to July due to mechanical issue
The Nvidia Shield was supposed to launch this week, but Nvidia has announced that a third-party mechanical issue will be pushing that release back until sometime in July. The exact date is still yet to be determined. "During our final QA process, we discovered a mechanical issue that relates to a 3rd party component," the Nvidia statement reads. "We want every Shield to be perfect, so we have elected to shift the launch date to July. We'll update you as soon as we have an exact date." Last week, Nvidia announced it was knocking $50 off the Android-powered handheld device, bringing the Nvidia Shield's price tag down to $300. In May, we visited the Nvidia campus and got our hands on the Nvidia Shield, which sports a 5-inch 720p display, Tegra 4 chip inside and can stream games from your PC – granted you have a GTX 650 GPU or better in your rig.
Nvidia Shield now $300 before launch, available June 27
Nvidia's Shield handheld is dropping a Grant before it even hits the streets. The company announced this morning that the overpriced (see, we can say it now because they clearly agreed) portable will cut $50 from its original asking price of $350. The company also revealed this morning that the device will be available on June 27. As Engadget notes, the device can be obtained from Nvidia's official website and we're still waiting to hear about supporting retailers. Our hands-on time with the handheld went well, but so does our time with the $170 Nintendo 3DS and the $250 PlayStation Vita. Update: Supporting retailers include Newegg, GameStop, Micro Center and Canada Computers.
NVIDIA Shield drops by the FCC, gets ready to fill pre-orders
Eager to get your mitts on NVIDIA's first Tegra 4 device? Cast your jealous eyes upon the federal government -- they've already got one. NVIDIA's Shield gaming handheld dropped by the FCC to get its label approved, betraying its original code name, Project Thor, in the processes. Hardly a surprise to see the device passing federal muster, of course, as it's slated for release at the end of next month. Unfortunately, the filings don't reveal any hidden goodies (that is, no cellular radio), just a standard WiFi antenna. Still, if label location drawings and test reports are your thing, check out the FCC link below.
Nvidia Shield pre-orders open early (as in, right now)
Nvidia canceled its forced wait time to pre-order an Nvidia Shield, allowing anyone to commit to the $350 Android handheld as of now. The Nvidia Shield is available for pre-order directly through Nvidia or through select retailers: GameStop, Micro Center, Canada Computers and New Egg. The Nvidia Shield – previously known as Project Shield – is a handheld gaming console powered by Android. It has a five-inch retinal multi-touch screen capable of 720p, 16GB of internal storage and can stream your PC games, granted you have a GTX 650 GPU or better in your PC.
Nvidia Shield: Joystiq goes hands-on
The Nvidia Shield arrives next month for $349.99, and yesterday I got to sit down with the final version of the hardware. The first thing I noticed was the heft: bulkier than a PS Vita, but no less comfortable. Where the PS Vita sacrificed bigger buttons for smaller form factor, the Nvidia Shield takes a lot of inspiration from the Xbox 360 controller. In fact, the left and right triggers feel identical to the Xbox 360 and, more or less, so does the d-pad. The one big difference from Microsoft's gamepad is the symmetrical analog sticks.%Gallery-188227%
Nvidia Shield launches in June for $350, pre-orders open May 20
Nvidia's Project Shield – now officially dubbed Nvidia Shield – will launch before the end of June for $349.99, Nvidia has announced. Pre-orders for the Tegra 4-powered Android handheld will open on May 20, through select online and brick-and-mortar retailers: New Egg, GameStop, Micro Center and Canada Computers. Those on Nvidia's Project Shield notification list can pre-order starting today. With the price and pre-order date, Nvidia announced five new games coming to the platform: Broken Age and Costume Quest from Double Fine, Flyhunter: Origins from Steel Wool Games, Skiing Fred from Dedalord Games and Chuck's Challenge from Chuck Sommerville's Niffler, who you may recall of Chip's Challenge fame. The Nvidia Shield is running Android 4.2.1, sports a 5-inch retinal display capable of 720p and has 16GB of internal storage, expandable through a SD card slot on the back. Other hardware features include a built-in mic and GPS, plus a mini-HDMI out in the back. The Shield is also capable of streaming games from your PC, granted you have a GTX 650 GPU or better in there. All Nvidia Shields will include two free games: Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 2 and Expendable: Rearmed. We'll have a hands-on video with the final Nvidia Shield and some impressions up soon.%Gallery-188227%
