The launch of the Nvidia SHIELD handheld console has been delayed due to a “mechanical issue”. The Android based games console was due to debut today but as one of the third party components isn’t “fully up to the exacting standards that NVIDIA’s known for” the launch will be delayed until sometime in July. Just a week ago Nvidia cut the launch price of its upcoming “ultimate gaming and entertainment portable” from $349 to $299.
Nvidia says its eager to get the SHIELD console into gamers’ hands but it has to be up to its exacting standards of quality before shipping. Thus, after some final quality assurance testing which has turned up an issue, Nvidia has decided to delay shipments. This difficult decision was taken due to an issue with a “third-party mechanical component”. Meanwhile Nvidia assure the anxious folk awaiting shipment and pre-order buyers that it is “working around the clock with the supplier to get it up to our expectations”. The green team also apologises for the delay.
When will it be released? As yet Nvidia can only say “July” but promise to provide an exact shipping date once it is known. In the comments section, where many users requested further info on the exact component with the issue, an Nvidia rep answered “…we’re not giving specifics. Ultimately, SHIELD is our product, so we take full responsibility for its quality”.
A week ago, with an expected week to launch Nvidia cut the launch price of the SHIELD console from $349 to $299. Pre-order customers also got this cut. According to Nvidia the reasoning behind this cut wasn’t the lack of pre-orders or general lack of consumer interest in its upcoming handheld it was “We’ve heard from thousands of gamers that if the price was $299, we’d have a home run. So we’re changing the price of SHIELD to $299.”
