Nvidia Shield launches in June for $349

Nvidia will launch Project Shield this June priced at $349. The Android-powered portable console, which is now officially known as Shield, will be stocked at GameStop, Newegg, Micro Center and Canada Computers. Consumers who signed up to receive Shield updates on the product's website can pre-order the device today, while other members of the general public will have to wait until May 20.

Announced in January, Shield is powered by a Tegra 4 processor and sports an Xbox 360-like controller with a 5" 720p touch screen attached. Nvidia claims that the internal battery allows for 5-10 hours of gameplay and up to 24 hours of video. The device also allows for streaming of games from a PC through a local network and has support for Steam’s Big Picture mode.

Nvidia also said today that Double Fine’s Costume Quest and Broken Age are set for release on the platform, alongside Steel Wool Games’ Flyhunter: Origins, Dedalord Games’ Skiing Fred and Niffler’s Chuck’s Challenge. In January, the firm said Adhesive Games is creating a Shield version of mech shooter Hawken. Here's what Shield offers, in Nvidia’s words:

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• Tegra 4 - The world's fastest mobile processor delivers rich graphics and unbeatable performance thanks to 72 GPU cores, four CPU cores and 2GB of RAM
• Console-grade controller - Precise control thanks to dual analog joysticks, a full-sized D-Pad, left and right analog triggers, full-sized bumpers and A/B/X/Y buttons
• Multi-touch display - 5-inch, 720p retinal multi-touch display for high-fidelity visuals
• Integrated speakers - Custom, bass reflex, tuned port audio system - we think this is SHIELD's sleeper feature
• Wi-Fi - 802.11n 2X2 MIMO game-speed Wi-Fi for game streaming
• Pure Android - Latest Android Jelly Bean operating system from Google, for access to Android games and apps
• There's more - We put into SHIELD everything we would want in a premium mobile gaming device: 16 GB memory, GPS, Bluetooth 3.0, a mini-HDMI output, micro-USB 2.0, a microSD storage slot, a 3.5-mm stereo headphone jack.