GameStick

GameStick is a compact, plug-and-play Android-based video game console released in 2013 by GameStick Ltd. It centers on a HDMI dongle, nicknamed the stick, paired with a wireless game controller. The stick plugs into a television’s HDMI port and is powered by a micro-USB connection. Running an Android-based operating system, it is designed to deliver mobile games and emulated titles on a TV screen. Games and apps can be installed from Google Play or sideloaded, allowing access to a broad range of titles with a couch-friendly interface.

Development and release

The project began with a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter in 2012 to fund manufacturing of the hardware. The campaign reached its funding target, and units were produced for backers and later made available more broadly.

Hardware and features

The GameStick uses a compact ARM-based system-on-chip with integrated graphics and a modest amount of memory by contemporary standards. It includes built-in Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth for controller connectivity and provides a microSD slot for storage expansion. The package typically includes a wireless gamepad that pairs with the stick, enabling local multiplayer experiences.

Software ecosystem and limitations

As an Android-based platform, it could run Android games and a selection of emulators, enabling playback of retro titles and other mobile titles on a television. The experience depended on app availability and optimizations for a TV-sized display, with some reviewers noting limitations in performance and in the breadth of available titles compared with other microconsoles of the era.

Reception and legacy

Upon release, GameStick was praised for its novel form factor and ease of use but criticized for performance limitations and the mismatch between its ambitions and the available software library. Crowdfunding and production delays also drew attention. The product remains a notable example in the early wave of Android-based microconsoles, illustrating challenges in delivering a living-room gaming platform built around mobile software.