The device will be available in May for only $199

Mar 4, 2015 05:15 GMT  ·  By

During its “Made to Game” event at GDC 2015, Nvidia announced the SHIELD, an Android TV set-top box that can be used as a gaming console as well.

It's not the Nvidia SHIELD Android tablet launched by the company a while ago, but a new one, more powerful, which serves more purposes.

The Nvidia SHIELD is an all-in-one device that can be plugged to a TV. It runs Android TV, which means you will have access to Google Play Store and everything that's in it like movies, music, apps and games.

Speaking of games, Nvidia has announced that, when the SHIELD is launched on the market, it will have its own store with no less than 50 games compatible with its console.

Nvidia SHIELD supports native 4K at 60Hz video signals and packs the company's powerful Tegra X1 ARM chipset that accommodates a 256 core Maxwell graphics processing unit.

Some of the most popular games launched last year will be available at launch for Nvidia SHIELD including Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, The Talon Principle and many more.

Yes, it runs Crysis 3!

But the SHIELD won't act like an Android TV and gaming console, but also as a cloud streaming device. Basically, you will be able to take advantage of Nvidia SHIELD's capabilities to play triple A games directly from the cloud.

This means you won't have to download and install anything, just click and play. According to Nvidia, on a decent (not great) Internet connection players would be getting 150ms during gameplay.

Can it run Crysis?
Can it run Crysis?

Nvidia also demoed some triple A games that were played from the stream, including Witcher 3, DOOM 3 BFG and Metal Gear Solid V Ground Zeroes.

Before questioning the power of Nvidia's SHIELD consoles, know that it runs Crysis 3. The game was ported to Android by Crytek and it was demoed during the event and it runs perfectly (1080p at 60fps).

Nvidia SHIELD will be available for purchase beginning May in selected countries (including US) for only $199. It will come bundled with the Nvidia controller, but a remote control will be available for purchase separately as well.

Two subscriptions for Nvidia's cloud streaming service

The GRID cloud streaming service will be launched along with the SHIELD set-top box in May. Two types of subscriptions will be available for customers: basic and premium.

The basic subscription will give customers access to a library of free Nvidia SHIELD games, while the premium subscription will allow players to buy triple A games from the GRID store and play them right away through cloud streaming.

There's no word on prices yet, but more details are likely to emerge in the coming weeks, so stay tuned.

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Nvidia SHIELD remote controlCan it run Crysis?
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