Ouya review

[Neon Ignition]

Well, seeing as I now have one in my possession this has has to be done. It's going to come in stages as the Ouya requires a bit of time to set up in your own preferred way.

First up is the hardware. The brushed metal effect is pretty nice to be honest, the system itself very compact and simplistic. The controller looks decent too and is comfortable. The two weak spots certainly seem to be the dpad and the rear cheap feeling triggers. Everything else seems fine though.

Loading it up leads to the set up. It does need your credit card details to initially start up but I got around that with a prepaid credit code ala PSN etc and after the first time it doesn't ask again. The first option is Play where your downloaded software resides and then Discover for the Ouyas bespoke store. It's all very easy to navigate but mostly because of the formats lack of popularity. There's plenty to try out but doing your own thing is key here clearly.

Make is the dev centre so not much use for me but the expolits lie here too. Currently I have Amazon App store routed in here and I'm halfway through rigging it to access Google Play store which will mean the games drought issue is almost negated as some bigger android games can be loaded through this way despite not officially being on Ouya.

Manage is the guts of the system such as settings and storage etc. I have several emulators installed and a couple of demos such as Sine Mora, Shadowgun etc to try out and see how it runs higher spec software and how the pad copes. Getting Google Playrunning should push that more though and hopefully we'll see how the emus are holding soon too.

[kryss]

The n64 emu wouldn't run for me but I've not tried it in a few months.

[Neon Ignition]

From what I can gather the one on the system now has been tweaked to try and optimise it but still has a chunk of titles it won't run (the usual titles emu's struggle with).

[capcom_suicide]

I can't get on with the pad. It seems "Sticky" or delayed or something. I have tried a 360 and PS3 pad, but there is lots of faff to get them working in the same way, and as "Pad 1". Haven't seen any native games that tickle my fancy. The emulators are OK.

If you are making a mini barcade cab, this might be a cheap way to do it.

[vanpeebles]

Is the machine named after when you hit your finger with a hammer?

[Neon Ignition]

Amazon app store was so easy to set up but Google Play is a right faff. Found an apk file that will apparently auto root the Ouya and then I should be able to install it but even then various alterations are required for stuff like Gamelofts games.

[bash]

Whats wrong with the d-pad exactly CTN?

[Neon Ignition]

The dpads feels fairly loose. It rolls well so first thoughts turn to fighters working well but once the system is powered up the detection on it immediately feels off. I find the stick easier to use which shouldn't be the case on simple menus.

More research and the Ouya seems to have enough grunt to run most software. The trouble though is the volume of workarounds required due to either it being locked out of functions or due to software being specifically programmed for touch screens. Sometimes theres ways to get full compatibility but the games being what they are just aren't worth the hassle.

First big stumbling block really. I'll see how it goes with a tester but in terms of non-Ouya store titles this doesn't feel like a worthy alt which it should have been. That leaves media (which I don't need) and emulation to test for if the system is worth keeping.

[Neon Ignition]

Another nights play away from Wind Waker and the lustre is wearing off fast. For an open system everything is needlessly fiddly. From a system layout pov it's alright and the user interface is ok too. Tried a few of the titles and they're okay but not time soakers. So, I rolled out the obvious power stretcher Shadowgun and the full tv look is fine until you start moving, the system seems to strain at running the game which isn't great seeing as how my old S2 had no trouble with it. It's quickly getting down to just emu's left which isn't enough to justify it. More grunt and more ease of open use and I could actually see a value to it (though not for Madcatz insane price tag) to an extent but as is, it's half a job done only.