Android to Join the Console World

1 in 5 of us own a smartphone and a recent survey has said that on average, users can’t leave their phone alone for more than six minutes because of the latest hit smartphone game.  Now however, thanks to two new, innovative designs from company MadCatz, and a new independent company OUYA, two brand new micro-consoles have been created, jamming the mobile world into a stationary design.

The OUYA priced at £99 will be released on the 25th of June and was the first to be announced of the two consoles. Recent reviews have shown it to be a work in progress design. For a first attempt at a micro-console it has been seen as a very positive start, especially as it was a publically funded scheme. For only £99, gamers looking for a different experience will be in for a treat. It also has a small, sleek looking design and does look truly portable and suitable for any location. However it is said to suffer terrible frame rate drops therefore limiting the amount of apps users can play.  This is a major problem when it comes to popular apps such as Dead Trigger and the re-mastered version of Grand Theft Auto for the Android market. Not only this, reviews have also criticised the OUYA’s controller calling it, “a cheap, uncomfortable, Xbox 360 replica,” this being said it still complies with the sleek looking design.

MadCatz have also stepped into the market with their console being called initially, “Project M.O.J.O.” Although not much is known about the M.O.J.O, IGN were given an exclusive look. They said, “the M.O.J.O. could be a major success if it is treated properly in development.” They described it again as a sleek looking console, and although a fraction larger than the OUYA, looks just as nice. Project M.O.J.O. will not just have access to the entire library of Android games; it supports apps such as Facebook, Twitter and Twitch, all at a constant 30 FPS. Its controller received much the same criticism as the OUYA’s as it was also described as a replica of the Xbox 360. The M.O.J.O. however, supports both keyboard and mouse play through both Bluetooth and USB, allowing for touch designed games to be played easily on the big screen. Although an official release date and price haven’t been announced, it is believed it will look to compete with the OUYA’s small price tag and release before the holiday season.

Although this is a very new concept, it does look like a small, positive breakthrough in the micro-console world.

Charlie Wheeler-Jones