NVIDIA SHIELD 4K Android console announced

Nvidia has just announced the Shield console, the world’s first 4K Android TV gaming console, at Game Developers Conference today in San Francisco. It looks like Valve aren’t going to have it all their way, after all.

Along with the new entertainment system, the company also announced its Grid game-streaming service, which will deliver games on-demand via the cloud at a peeper-pleasing 1080p Full HD at 60 fps.

The Shield console, not to be confused with the Shield handheld previously released, will deliver video, music, along with Android apps and games to the living room, powered by Nvidia’s new Tegra X1 processor with 3GB RAM.

It can play and capture 4K video content as well as being able to pump out high-resolution 7.1 and 5.1 surround sound.

The Shield comes with 16GB of onboard storage, a MicroSD slot for cards up to 128GB, and 5GHz Wi-Fi connectivity. It’s bundled with a wireless controller too. Nvidia are spoiling us!

The 64-bit Tegra X1 processor loaded in to the Shield is capable of running premium titles like Crysis 3, Doom 3, and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel. More than 50 titles optimised for the console will be available at launch.

In addition, the Grid service will let players stream resource-hungry games like Batman: Arkham Origins, GRID 2 and Metro: Last Light Redux, as well as upcoming titles such as Batman: Arkham Knight and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, later this year. Nvidia says more titles will be added weekly. Weekly!

You’ll also be able to use the optional remote to control audio and video playback on the Shield, and even search for new content on Google Play using your voice, thanks to the built-in mic. I’m not sure if your commands will be stored anywhere though 😉

By now you’re probably thinking that all of this is going to hit you where it hurts – your bank account.

I am pleased (and relieved) to report that all of this could be yours for $199. Yup. At this price the Shield should be making the Xbox One and PlayStation 4, which retail at over $300 each, fairly nervous.

As with any gaming system, it’s the content available which will make or break the Shield. Nvidia has already announced a pretty impressive line-up of titles and partnerships with top studios and publishers – id Software, Capcom and CDProjekt, to but name a few, so it is all looking promising.

With the Shield console, Nvidia might have something which will rock the gaming arena – especially in the living room.

The device will be available this May for $199.

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