Using the NVIDIA Shield

I had been to the "launch" of the NVIDIA Shield here in Dubai along with other media, bloggers and gamers. Since then, I had hoped to get a chance to play with it for some time, if not acquire one for myself. So, when the opportunity presented itself, I grabbed it with both hands and did so with great joy.

Just to give you guys a quick run down about what the Shield is - imagine, if you will, an android phone - say an HTC One - and add a PS3-type controller to it. Supersize the processor and RAM and remove bloatware - et voila - you have yourself a Shield. 

(image source: nvidia.com - its a nice wallpaper if you fancy 1920x1080)

More information on the product, here. I will add this link at the bottom of the post, so please read through :). 

Still here, THANKS! :)

So, that was then. Recently, I got my hands on it for a bit over 2 weeks for all I could play madness on the go. I played a LOT and NVIDIA have a dedicated gaming-store-portal-section thingy on the Play Store. I saw games of all genres, but racing and Shoot em ups really excite me on the go. Its easier to start a short game, finish it and restart any other time. Games with story lines and stuff need concentration and so I avoid them. That said, GTA was loaded on the Shield and that really got my interest. It has a unique way of presenting the games to you, see below

(image source: forbes.com)

Graphics are phenomenal. You will not believe that you are playing on a small mobile phone screen, the depth and saturation are quite good. The sound really supports the experience, whether you play in-ear or use the on board speakers that pack quite a punch for a personal gaming device. Now because the Graphics are inherently NVIDIA - thanks TEGRA - you feel no lag, and it really blazes through some of the heavier games that tend to lag on a conventional smart phone. Games like FIFA, Madden, NFS (all available on the Play Store) are really cool to try on the Shield. What really interested me but could not try is Screen Casting - you can mirror your gaming experience onto a big screen. See this:

 (image source: gamefront.com)

How this is done, is through MiraCast. You can also play PC games using the Sheild to power and control the game while you use MiraCast to project the display on a large format screen. Curious? Read here on the NVIDIA website for more information. There are a whole range of games you can do that with including Batman, Borderlands 2, Elder Scrolls V and so on.

The controller is something you get used to if you come from a history of playing only on the XBox. But for you Playstation fans, the controller is something you should feel right at home with. The grip is Xbox-esque - meaty and rubberised for better comfort, while the button layout is much nicer (I did like PS for that).

 (image source: shield.nvidia.com - again a nice 1920 x 1080 wallpaper)

Are you a true gamer? Then this device is for you. There are plenty of ways to get your hands on one of these bad boys, so pick your poison and log right into the true mobile gaming experience!

As promised, more information on the product, here.