Nvidia’s Shield game system goes from project to real product

Nvidia has announced plans to begin selling its Shield handheld gaming device in June. The company will accept pre-orders for $349 starting on May 20th.

Unveiled earlier this year as Project Shield, the device is an Android-powered gaming console that also streams games from PCs equipped with specific Nvidia graphics cards. The streaming capability is described as a beta feature; Nvidia is working with Valve software to enable Steam games to work on the system.

The Shield system comprises Nvidia’s own Tegra 4 processor with a console-style game controller, 5-inch 720p multi-touch display and integrated speakers. 16GB memory, microSD storage, Bluetooth and other features extend the Shield’s capabilities.