Opened up My Ouya...first thoughts. (Update)

[knave]

Murphy's Law, It came while I was on Vacation...

I am pretty happy so far. I know that opinions about the device have been mixed on the forum so far, now that I've actually put my hands on it I feel qualified to make some additional comments.

• It's a whole lotta toy for $99. I opened it logged in, performed a system update and downloaded my first 10 games in about 30 minutes. (during my lunch break)
• As it's an android device some of the menus are like a tablet interface. The touch pad on the controller is appreciated, I don't think its good for playing games but it is useful for navigation.
• The controller seems solid and comfortable. It is very similar to a Xbox 360 gamepad, gameplay was smooth.
• The menu system is very basic which I like, however there is room for improvement, games that you side-load are found in a different menu than are those you download directly.
• I have heard that pretty much any stock android game that supports a controller works out-of-the-box, Emulators work well too. I was particularly interested in some of the need-for-speed games I haven't ever gotten to try out and GTA III and Vice city.
• Most of the media apps can be side-loaded, and work, however controls are not optimized for the controller yet. Since I pretty much only use Netflix and HBO-GO and these work I'm thrilled.
• XBMC has not been officially released, however several android versions exist and are reported to work really well streaming 1080p without issue. The official app is due out later. Perhaps after the June 25 Ouya launch day.

Bottom line:

This little $99 box looks good, feels good and has the apps that I care about. The interface is good-enough and community support is moving along.

To quote a comment I saw on XDA, "the Ouya is $99 worth of fun all day long."

--UPDATE--

I've had time to work with the Ouya and have made a few observations.

Software: The UI has been improved via updates but still has some room to grow. Overall it works though. The games range from crap to very good but there still needs to be a few must have titles. Some of the fun games are really minimal in the graphics department which is a good sign for future development.
The device is capable of outputting some cool looking graphics, Some games look real slick.
Side-loading apps and games seems to be a relatively painless process, apps outside of the Ouya store work but usually don't have controller support, I've only installed android games that do have controller support and these play beautifully And really show some good graphics. GTA Is so much fun.
Emulation: So far I have working; NES, SNES, N64, Genesis, NeoGeo, and PS1. I am surprised at how well the older games look and play. I have a soft spot for Genesis and NES It's really a lot of fun.
Hardware: The device hasn't given me any major issues. I've had it on all day and it just keeps on going. Sometimes if I wake the Ouya before I power on the tv the signal takes a while to register. It's rare though.
The controller works well. It feels solid, and I find the touch pad surprisingly useful. I hear reports that early controllers had issues with buttons sticking and dead spots on the analog sticks but apart from one time My buttons don't stick and the analog works well.
I have paired a PS3 controller and it has worked in the few multiplayer games I've tried. I've heard it doesn't work in all games though. X360 wired controllers reportedly (now confirmed) work too. I'm working on getting the wireless ones to work with the usb receiver.
Tinkering: This is what the Ouya is all about. I wanted an all-in-one device and it really delivers. Ouya games, Emulators, Netflix, Youtube, Pandora, HBOgo and XBMC all in one handy unit. Currently some of these are the tablet versions. But Ouya optimized versions are coming. (for most) Half of the fun is tinkering to see what I can get working "right Now" And so far the success level is promising.

I think it's a great device for $99. Even if the rest of the corporation goes belly up tomorrow It provides a lot for very little. And since that is unlikely more refinements and better games and apps are around the corner.

[ark_ader]

I love android gaming and judging by your review, the device will be needed in my collection soon.

We need more android developers to make games, and hopefully this device will give a decent platform to code and perform QA.

Thanks for the unboxing review. 

[northerngames]

I am grabbing one to start and have some custom idea's for modding it into something else already 

[SNAAKE]

you dont even need any ideas lol. it should work with any usb encoder and you have emulators up and running on any android device.

[ChadTower]

[Generic Eric]

I received mine on Monday.  Do you frequent any OUYA specific forums?  My experience so far has been with the You don't Know jack demo, a Super Mario styled plat-former based on a Gumdrop and a Wipe out clone (which looks very pretty)

I have some android games that I intend to sideload from the Humble Indie Bundles, but haven't yet.  I missed the last one because I waited to the last minute *shrug* oh well.

[knave]

I haven't found my go-to source for information yet. There are a few forums but until things settle a bit it's a lot of "look what I got to work" type posts.

Incidentally, I threw a few NES games on a flash drive and tried EMUya, It just worked. I didn't have to do anything but launch the app. 

I want to check out the You-don't-know-jack game, I used to play that on my PC back in the day. it will give me a chance to try out a few of my other controllers. I have a wired Xbox 360 controller, a wireless logitec that I use with my PS3 and the xbox360 wireless PC adapter all of which are reported to work on the system.

I liked the demo of "grow" it's almost like Osmos and an aquarium mashed together. But the free levels were short.

The android bundles have been pretty good, I've heard that most of the games will run however, most don't have controller support.

I haven't connected a keyboard and mouse yet but that's on my list too.

[northerngames]

you dont even need any ideas lol. it should work with any usb encoder and you have emulators up and running on any android device.

nothing software wise I plan on hacking the controller console and screen into a single larger controller with fancy buttons and joysticks with the toach screen centered above the buttons

just crossing my fingers there still using 10k pots for the analog 

anyone know what the voltage and amps requirement to power it?

throw a rc lipo in there and it's golden with just a tv cord coming out unless there is something to make that type signal wireless now too

[knave]

nothing software wise I plan on hacking the controller console and screen into a single larger controller with fancy buttons and joysticks with the toach screen centered above the buttons

What are you going to use as a screen?

Update:
I finally was able to spend a few solid hours playing around. NES, SNES, and N64 work great, not perfect, but Mario Cart 64 is still fun.

I like the open feel of the store...click anything try it out, Many of the games are free, a few are trials and some are micro transaction based.

I've had fun so far, I can see that it will take some time before a the Must play games come out but there is plenty to keep me busy.

It's like I'm a Video Game Explorer, treading through the new games carefully picking out treasures along the way. The journey is fun in and of itself.

Next up: Bluetooth control through my tablet and a PS1 emu.

[northerngames]

they dont hook up to a tv?

not sure what you mean.

[knave]

Northern - It sounded as if you were going to make it into a portable. So I was curious what portable size screen you had in mind that had HDMI input.

Update, I side-loaded Astro file manager without any trouble, this makes loading any APK very easy. I decided to play games instead of messing with XBMC.

I was surprised at how much fun I had with Saturday-Morning-RPG. It's like the "Ready Player One" of RPGs. Except that it pokes fun. I loved turning into Optimus Prime and running over the bad guys. I will play more of that one. When I first read about this game I was pretty...Meh. But it is fun. I played a bunch of the Ouya shooters, then some emulated ones; 1942 and Raiden. Tried out the wipeout clone some more too. Its ok, I did much better than the first time I tried it. Some games just aren't for me...well they suck, but most of those games were interesting for 5 minutes.

So While I view the Ouya positively it is not perfect. Depending on what you are doing navigation is not always intuitive and in many games it takes a while to learn what button does what.
occasionally if I leave it on for an extended time It goes to sleep and waking it is not as easy as it should be. Also if this were not a toy I might resent having to tinker to get some apps/games working. (But that is why I bought it, I never expected it to be a turn-key product.)

That said, I am having a lot of fun with it. It's almost like that first time I got Mame running and tried out all my favorite games.

[northerngames]

yeah I just meant put the controller in side the controller and straight wire it along with the console in there too and pull the screen off the controller and recess the cp above the buttons and mount it there.

just like a portable but looks like a single player arcade stick only with a cord coming out to the tv.

this way it still functions 100% and I have all nes snes and what not all in a single arcade stick lol.

game on!!

for instance it is a 10k pot for the sticks wich more then liekly they are picture this controller with what I just explained.

http://www.estarland.com/images/products/57/23557/82202.jpg

 http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,131339.0.html

with the screen in the center per say and painted matt black aww it's perty 

lipo from and rc will fit no problem still too there is a ton of room in them beast.

I also have another fancy setup I would like to try but saving that till I get one in hand to see what all I can make out of'em

[knave]

--UPDATE--

I've had time to work with the Ouya and have made a few observations.

Software: The UI has been improved via updates but still has some room to grow. Overall it works though. The games range from crap to very good but there still needs to be a few must have titles. Some of the fun games are really minimal in the graphics department which is a good sign for future development.
The device is capable of outputting some cool looking graphics, Some games look real slick.
Side-loading apps and games seems to be a relatively painless process, apps outside of the Ouya store work but usually don't have controller support, I've only installed android games that do have controller support and these play beautifully And really show some good graphics. GTA Is so much fun.
Emulation: So far I have working; NES, SNES, N64, Genesis, NeoGeo, and PS1. I am surprised at how well the older games look and play. I have a soft spot for Genesis and NES It's really a lot of fun.
Hardware: The device hasn't given me any major issues. I've had it on all day and it just keeps on going. Sometimes if I wake the Ouya before I power on the tv the signal takes a while to register. It's rare though.
The controller works well. It feels solid, and I find the touch pad surprisingly useful. I hear reports that early controllers had issues with buttons sticking and dead spots on the analog sticks but apart from one time My buttons don't stick and the analog works well.
I have paired a PS3 controller and it has worked in the few multiplayer games I've tried. I've heard it doesn't work in all games though. X360 wired controllers reportedly work too. I'm working on getting the wireless ones to work with the usb receiver.
Tinkering: This is what the Ouya is all about. I wanted an all-in-one device and it really delivers. Ouya games, Emulators, Netflix, Youtube, Pandora, HBOgo and XBMC all in one handy unit. Currently some of these are the tablet versions. But Ouya optimized versions are coming. (for most) Half of the fun is tinkering to see what I can get working "right Now" And so far the success level is promising.

I think it's a great device for $99. Even if the rest of the corporation goes belly up tomorrow It provides a lot for very little. And since that is unlikely more refinements and better games and apps are around the corner.