In the past, there were only a few companies that could logistically launch a new console and survive in the market, such as Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft. However, in the day and age we live in now, anything is possible with crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter out there. This was exactly what happened with the Ouya, which was funded through Kickstarter and released to retail.
When you first open the box, the first thing you will notice is how tiny the console is, especially in comparison to pretty much any other console you would ever think of. It is essentially a square box that is about half the size of just the Xbox One or Xbox 360 power brick alone. On the side you will find a port for the AC Adapter, a USB 2.0 port, a microUSB port, an ethernet port, and a HDMI out port. As a result, this system can only be used on televisions with a HDMI input, unless you purchase an adapter. This may be a little disappointing, but pretty much everything has at least one HDMI port these days, and this is the same route that the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One took with being HDMI only. Luckily, the console does come with a HDMI cable included in the box.
At first glance, the Ouya controller has the same basic layout as most modern controllers, with almost the exact same layout as the Xbox One and Xbox 360 controller. You have the two analog sticks, a d-pad, four face buttons, two bumpers, and two triggers. On the very bottom middle of the face of the controller, there is also the U button that works like a start/select hybrid that depends on if you press it once or twice. There is also one hidden feature, the touchpad, which is on the top middle of the face of the controller. This allows you to navigate, especially in the browser, and tap to click.
When you first take the controller out of the box, you will likely be insanely confused as to how to load batteries into the thing. The manual that comes in the box doesn’t mention it whatsoever, and there is nothing that you would expect batteries to be loaded into on the controller. What you must do instead is actually take the left and right faceplates off, which makes you almost feel like you are going to break the controller and put a battery in each side. I had to look this up online when I got it, as I was afraid I would accidentally break it in the process before ever turning on the system.
The main problem with the controller is that it just feels awkward at times due to the shape. While not too different from the aforementioned controllers, something just feels off due to the edges being a little too straight. The trigger buttons are also kind of awkward to hit as a result of them not being ridged in the way you will likely be holding your fingers. The analog sticks feel almost a little too flat, but along with the d-pad and face buttons are serviceable. The touchpad is a nice addition, but has some sensitively issues, which leads to it being more trouble than it’s worth to use sometimes.
Bad:
– Controller has problems syncing or working at all
– little support for third party controllers (minimum for ps3 and 360, zero for other usb controllers)
– Low internal memory
– external (usb) memory will be scanned every time the system boots up, which can take up to 5 minutes (when it works. If it doesn’t, you will have to pull the plug and retry).
– The official XBMC had sound codecs removed, so in order to watch many streams with sound, you will need to sideload “SPMC” or the “Gotham” version for Android.
– Most good apps and games need to be sideloaded.
– The ouya launcher doesn’t allow custom wallpapers (not even live wallpapers) nor allow users to arrange their games and apps into folders.
– Some games crash or won’t start at all our are released unfinished with no updates.
– From April 2014, some new games will have no free to try demo. There will thus be no way to check if those games actually work.
– There is no official or easy to use refund policy for ouya games.
– The company originally stated that all games would be free to try. Now they have broken that statement and made the ouya store the same as other stores.
– No Google Play store (you have to hack the Ouya to do it)
– Adding a USB keyboard or similar makes many games stop working (as the keyboard is registered as “control pad 1”)
– The bluetooth hardware is right next to the WiFi hardware, causing one to interfere with the other.
– Connecting a usb controller may turn off bluetooth and thus wireless pads.
– Some have reported that Ouya customer service is slow to respond.
– Ouya plans to expand its service to other devices, like the Mojo console, so there is no need to buy an actual ouya console.
– Many games that the Ouya company has stated will be coming out have never or will never actually come out.
– Replacement pads cost 50 dollars (that’s more than a PS3 pad or similar to it).
– No chat/social software.
– Even Ouya fans (check the various message boards) are fed up with Ouya.
– Difficult to boot up or turn off the system via a gamepad (sleep mode doesn’t really work well)
– Many of the strengths are Android’s and not Ouya’s.
– Only one usb external memory source is supported (no multiple usb drives for you!)
– Doesn’t support usb mics/cameras (so no voice/video chat)
– Sound only goes out the HDMI (no phono or headphone jack)
– Reports of Ethernet not always working.
Good:
– Store is easy to navigate (unlike the PS3’s)
– If everything works, on a stock Ouya, the startup is minimal.
– Sideloading unofficial apps (Netflix, Hulu , Riptide GP 2, SPMC, MX Player, Dolphin Browser, etc) really brings the ouya up to “usable and relevant” standards.
– If you email Ouya directly, they usually respond quickly.
– Cheap little emulator and XBMC box (controls work fine, but for ps1 and maybe N64 plus other unsupported platforms like NDS, sideloading is advised)
– Sideloading apps can turn the Ouya into a basic Android PC (office software, browser, for browser, etc)
– Supports most usb keyboards and mice (which allows you to play Angry Birds and Candy Crush easily. Note that keyboards will interfere with games, though and mice sometimes too.)
– Some games that at freemium only at Google Play are premium at Ouya.