Ouya Microconsole Review Part 1 - Overview

I got my hands on the Ouya, and now it's time for my thoughts. Is the Ouya the revolution for gaming the insanely successful kickstarter campaign promised or is it destined for failure?

In part 1 I take a look at the console hardware itself and it's sleek bluetooth controller. Specific software-related videos will be forthcoming.

[SatoshiMatrix]

Comments aren't disabled, youtube was running maintenance. and yes, I made an error. I'll fix it with an annotation when I get a chance.

[ryogamestation]

Nice. I have been meaning to pick this console up. I look forward for next review of this console ^_^.

[SatoshiMatrix]

A microconsole is a class of small video game consoles. The term has been used to describe low-cost Android-based devices that are designed to connect to televisions and play games downloaded from an application store, such as Google Play or the Ouya Discover store.

[SatoshiMatrix]

The only other Android device I have other than Ouya is a tablet that doesn't have bluetooth, so such a controller would be useless for me to review. But hey, I'll find a way to review anything if anyone wants to send me a product for review. None of my current partners divvy in Android accessories.

[SatoshiMatrix]

Yeah. The lack of dedicated Select and Start (especially Start) buttons on the Ouya controller seems like design oversights that shouldn't ever have gotten through initial R&D. Emulators all have workarounds, usually mapping them to the L3/R3 clicks or shoulder buttons, but I often say fuck it and use a PS3 controller, or any number of USB controller instead.

[SatoshiMatrix]

Quite right. That was my fuck up. Sorry about that.

[SatoshiMatrix]

You aren't a believer, so go away. You're correct that many other devices can do what the Ouya does, but that alone doesn't make the Ouya "useless". I absolutely love the Ouya's ridiculously small form factor. Being able to set it up in a crammed entertainment cabinet is a real advantage for me, I like the Ouya exclusive software, most of the emulators are great, and XBMC makes it a great media center as well. Plus, owning an Ouya makes me feel good that I'm supporting indie devs directly.

[IOLO]

Still pisses me of that it doesn't have start, select buttons .What were they thinking...Gamers for Gamers. ? Anyways I'm having fun jamming the games with my kids.I'm now working on the C64 emulator since my C64 diskdrive is acting up.Nice review so far.

[LdeinerProductions]

Two things. 1. Why did you disable the comments? 2. You can remove the batteries, the grips come off.

[Dragonrider]

I've been reading reviews for this on amazon and they say some interesting things. Things like that you need to give it your credit card number to start the operating system, and that if you're not connected to the internet, the games for it revert back to demo mode. Is this true? Or was it once true and changed in an update?

[COBOL]

I liked that they succeeded in develop a console with the help of the community, ecc... But at the end of the day Oyua is a 100% useless console. It does nothing any cheap notebook can do. Instead wasting money on the Oyua anyone can buy a simple PC or notebook, a Xbox 360 controller, and HDMI cable and have EVERYTHING and MUCH MORE stuff than what is avaible on the Ouya. Name every application, game, emulator or feature Ouya is capable of: my actual, 2 yo, cheap notebook can do it BETTER!

[wrestletube]

I've found a video of that PSP emulator running on Ouya hardware finally, impressive:

watch?v=uEq_BETHuXc