2013 Micro console Comparisons:
Ouya, Nvidia Shield, PlayJam GameSick, Mad Catz MOJO

Last year was an exciting time to be watching micro-consoles!
Now there are newer micro-consoles type devices coming out in 2014, these include the Ouya 2, So Huawei Tron and vyper.
Also rumors of Amazon and Google creating their own.

Well, I thought it would be a good time to look back at 2013’s micro-consoles.
I haven’t included the Sony Playstation VitaTV.
It would have made the matrix more complicated ie Software/Hardware openness etc
Ironically, it’s more of a micro console then the Nvidia Shield!

There was (and still is) a reoccurring theme with micro-consoles of 2013, they all needed help!
Issues ranging from custom software, Android and hardware support, and now in 2014 are still in a work in progress.
I guess from the competitive rush to market.

I do own a MOJO so I am bias, but the spec information below comes from wikipedia and reviews sites.
Feel free to correct me below.

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The table is too large to fit here nicely, so I put it in a new window:
Show table in new window.

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	Ouya	Shield (1)	GameStick	M.O.J.O
Website	ouya.tv	shield.nvidia.com	gamestick.tv	madcatz.com/mojo/
Manufacturer:	Ouya (formally BOXER8)	Nvidia	PlayJam	Mad Catz
Retail Launch Date:	June 25, 2013	July 31, 2013	November 15, 2013	December 10, 2013
Retail USD	99	299	79	249
Android	4.1	4.3 (2)	4.2	4.2.2 (3)
System-on-chip	Tegra 3 (T33)	Tegra 4	Amlogic 8726-MX	Tegra 4
CPU	1.7GHz ARM Cortex-A9	1.9GHz ARM Cortex-A15	1.7GHz ARM Cortex A9	1.9GHz ARM Cortex-A15
GPU	12 GeForce Cores	72 GeForce Cores	Mali-400 MP (dual core)	72 GeForce Cores
Memory	1 GB DDR3	2 GB DDR3L	1 GB DDR3	2 GB DDR3L
Internal Storage	8 GB	16 GB	8 GB	16 GB
Ethernet Port	10/100	N/A	N/A (via docking station)	10/100
WiFi	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
USB Port(s)	1x USB 2	1x USB 2	N/A (via docking station)	1x USB 2 and 1x USB 3
MicroSD	Up to 32 GB	Up to 64+ GB	Up to 32 GB	Up to 64+ GB
Bluetooth	Bluetooth LE	Bluetooth 3.0	Bluetooth LE	Bluetooth Smart
Micro-Console Pro's	* Cheap micro-console * Emulation device * Free-To-Try/Play Store	* Handheld console * Console mode – HDMI out * AAA Android titles * Nvidia's GameStream * Tegra zone * Google play store * Emulation device	* Smallest micro-console * Very portable * Cheapest micro-console	* AAA Android titles * Nvidia's GameStream (4) * Tegra zone * Google play store * Emulation device
Micro-Console Con's	* Lack of MicroSD * Single USB port * Closed Ecosystem * Requires Credit Card at start up	* Single USB port * large bevel on screen * Fan noise	* Requires USB power * Lack of USB ports * Closed Ecosystem * Requires Credit Card at start up	* No Power off button * Google play issue * Constant System bar (5)
Games Development	Requires Ouya SDK No NDK support	Standard Android	Requires Gamestick SDK Includes NDK support	Standard Android
Controller Specs
Extra controllers USD	$50 (originally $29)	N/A	29	ETA Mid year (I guess $99+)
Missing buttons	No Start Button No Select Button	N/A	No L2 Analog trigger No R2 Analog trigger	N/A
Pro's	* Touch pad * Replaceable batteries * Android Compatible	* Console quality controller * 5” 1280x720 LCD * 7350 mAh Battery * USB Charge * Android Compatible? (6) * Button mapping software	* Console stored in controller * USB Charge * Android Compatible	* Console quality controller * Travel Clip (Moga Pro) * PC/Mac Compatible * Android Compatible * Mouse Mode (7) * Replaceable batteries * USB BT Smart adapter * MicroUSB cable support
Con's	* Cheap build * Touch pad lags * No Touch pad edges * No Button mapping	* Weight * Batteries not replaceable	* Cheap build * Batteries not replaceable * No Button mapping	* Not Bluetooth 2 compatible * No Button mapping
Final thoughts	Controller is disposable and not emulation friendly. I would have spent more on a better controller then the Ouya!	I have a hacked PSP which I don't use, so like other handhelds, it will go out of date for me. Also, the fan is a consern.	An under dog here but I liked it's portablity and the controller is better and cheaper then Ouya's. I think it's practicle and cheap .	Good hardare: T4, 2GB, 2xUSB, MicroSD, BT2/4 Great reusable controller: Travel clip with phone/tablet. PC controller with mouse mode.

Footnotes:
1. Nvidia Shield technically isn't a micro-console but can be used like one.
2. Nvidia Shield launched with with Android 4.2
3. MOJO: Android 4.4 has been promised by Mad Catz
4. MOJO: Nvidia's GameStream has been promised on Android 4.4 update.
5. MOJO: Constant Android System bar: Will be fixed on Android 4.4 update.
6. Nvidia Shield: I don't know if the Shield controller can be paired with other Android devices.
7. MOJO: Mouse mode works on Android and PC/Mac devices.