Nvidia unveils the Shield Console

As inevitable as death and taxes, Nvidia has just taken the wraps off its shield micro-console to go alongside the handheld and tablet Shield devices. Actually, its not that micro, but still fits into the TV hugging category with a low profile, packing in a high-end Android TV spec. The new Shield was unveiled at an event in San Francisco.

Billed as a 4K Android TV console, it has Nvidia's usual green tinge to it, with harsh edges and angles, it can sit upright or flat and will retail for $199 on launch in May with a Shield controller. Inside is the mighty Tegra X1 (256 Maxwell cores), 3GB RAM and 16GB storage (expandable via microSD card to over 128GB), with 5.1 and 7.1 audio.

That lot can help deliver the 4K support and blistering game performance, although most of the PC class games seem to be 30fps limited. Then there's the offer of cloud gaming and streaming from your PC, and all the usual Android bells and whistles.

Some 50 games will be supported at launch, including Crysis 3, Doom 3 BFG Half-Life 2 Ep. 1 and others, making it a bit of a retro gaming machine already. Again, NV seems to be struggling to generate new must-haves for the system, how long until it buys a studio or two to grab some exclusive games?

Check out the launch presentation video(s):