It came as a huge surprise to just about everyone in the tech industry when nVidia announced that they were developing a handheld gaming device called Project SHIELD yesterday.
Powered by their new Tegra technology and equipped with a 'retinal display' (not to be confused with Apple's Retina Display, but the equivalent thereof), the handheld runs Android and is expected to offer game developers a way to get 'core' titles on the platform, assuming they manage to do something about the piracy problem.
Speculation is hot about the SHIELD's price, with most suggesting that it would cost no less than $350 when it sees release later this year, making it an expensive investment for a platform that may not even offer a solid lineup of titles.
Today, PowerA upped the ante by announcing the MOGA Mobile Gaming System at CES. It's a full-featured controller which syncs up to Android phones via Bluetooth, turning any Android-equipped smartphone into a mobile gaming system.
It has a similar design to the Xbox 360 controller, offering dual analog sticks, 4 action buttons, a D-Pad, two shoulder buttons, and two shoulder triggers.
The developers of many games, including Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour, N.O.V.A. 3, Sonic CD, Jet Set Radio, and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, have pledged to support the device when it comes out.
Unlike nVidia's SHIELD, the MOGA is simply a controller rather than a dedicated platform and will cost a fraction of the price at $49.99 when it goes on sale at retail outlets this Spring. Further details can be found at the official site.
Your move, nVidia.
