Updated

The Nvidia Shield is easily one of the most exciting gadgets of CES 2013, combining Android with a Tegra 4 processor inside a 5-inch portable gaming console. The device offers console-grade controllers, easy access to Tegra Zone for playing mobile games, plus the ability to stream the latest PC games.

Although Nvidia experienced a few hiccups getting up and running, the Shield successfully streamed Need for Speed from a PC to a 4K television, delivering an awesome amount of eye candy. (You'll need a PC with the latest Nvidia GPU.) Nvidia also says you'll be able to access nearly 2,000 games via Valve's Steam service, including Assassin's Creed III.

The Nvidia Shield sports a 5-inch HD display and a first-of-its-kind bass reflex audio system that promises to outperform the latest HP Beats Audio laptop. You should expect 5 to 10 hours of gameplay along with up to 24 hours of HD video playback. Connectivity options include HDMI, microUSB, and microSD. Plus, you can purchase customizable tags or shield for the lid of the device.

When you press the shield button you enter a Game mode, with plenty of high-quality titles available, from Hawken (supporting the Unreal 3 engine) to Real Boxing. Stay tuned for more details.