Games

GameStick Android-based game console the size of a USB thumb drive

GameStick Android-based game console the size of a USB thumb drive
The GameStick is a tiny video game console
The GameStick is a tiny video game console
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The GameStick Prototype running its UI
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The GameStick Prototype running its UI
The GameStick Prototype hooked to a TV through HDMI
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The GameStick Prototype hooked to a TV through HDMI
A shot of the GameStick's interface
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A shot of the GameStick's interface
The GameStick prototype being held for size reference
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The GameStick prototype being held for size reference
The starting size of the GameStick compared to the final size
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The starting size of the GameStick compared to the final size
The funding plan for GameStick
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The funding plan for GameStick
The GameStick is a tiny video game console
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The GameStick is a tiny video game console
Another view of the GameStick's interface
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Another view of the GameStick's interface
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Just a few months back, the internet was gushing over the announcement of a tiny, Android-based video game console called the OUYA. Well, history may repeat itself with the introduction of the a new, and very similar, console called the GameStick. However, this Android-based system is actually cheaper and substantially smaller that the OUYA.

In terms of size, the GameStick is impressively small. The console itself resides on a HDMI dongle that is about the same size as a standard USB thumb drive. While being stored or transported, it fits inside of its accompanying Bluetooth controller, which is small enough to fit inside a pocket. This means you can play this console anywhere you want, as long as there is a TV with a spare HDMI port to hook it up to.

Like the aforementioned OUYA, this console is completely Android-based, coming with Android Jelly Bean installed out of the box. The OUYA has had some deep integration with other services such as OnLine, XBMC, and TuneIn. Unfortunately, we have not heard any such news from the GameStick, but in terms of a pure gaming experience, this looks like it could be quite the rival for the OUYA in the burgeoning Android gaming console market.

As far as specifications, the GameStick looks solid. It is powered by a 1.5 Ghz dual-core Amlogic 8726-MX processor, has 1 GB of RAM and 8 GB of flash memory for storage. Those are very similar to the specifications of the OUYA, although the OUYA has a quad-core processor, so it has the better of the GameStick in that regard. Everything else is virtually identical. There's 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, 1080p video decoding and Bluetooth LE 4.0 that allows for the connection of a mouse, keyboard and up to four controllers.

No doubt hoping to emulate OUYA's spectacular crowdfunding success, the GameStick's creators are seeking funding through Kickstarter. It just launched on the service about 24 hours ago, and it is already well over halfway to its US$100,000 goal. As the early funding specials ran out rather quickly, if you are interested in preordering a GameStick in time for its planned April 2013 release, the minimum pledge you will need to put forth is $79, which is the planned retail price of the GameStick.

The video pitch from the creators of the GameStick can be viewed below.

Source: GameStick via Kickstarter

View gallery - 8 images
5 comments
5 comments
Daishi
There are a couple of these super small footprint android devices in development right now. I can sort of see the appeal of using one to stream Internet video cheaply to an HDMI port of a TV without "smart" functionality but I'm skeptic of their ability to deliver solidly as a gaming platform.
If you want one with the controller it is $115 vs the more established and more powerful OUYA at $99 that comes with the controller.
Aside from the novelty of it I don't see a compelling reason for a gaming console with a dedicated power source to be crammed into the size of a thumb drive.
Jason Falconer
They'll have to redesign the D-pad, as Nintendo owns the patent to that specific cross-shape design (that's why every other manufacturer uses weird variations on it).
Dave LeClair
@ Diachi
The $115 package is with two controllers. For $79 you get the console and one controller.
Daishi
@Jason Falconer
It was on the NES in 1983 in Japan and the US in 1985. Patents generally expire 20 years from the date of filing.
I found the D-pad patent (4,687,200) and it appears to have expired in 2005.
Gregg Eshelman
The controller looks like an ergonomic nightmare. Sharp-ish corners and nothing form fitting to a hand at all.