GameStick

[akator]

I got my GameStick yesterday, and unfortunately, it's not working out as I hoped it would.

 

After spending some more time with it, I also have managed to get Google Play installed and working. My experiences have been mixed.

 

Basically, if an Android app is compatible with the Sony Xperia Play game controls, it can probably be configured to work with the GameStick controllers. All of the emulators I've tried work fine. Asphalt 7 works fine after changing the settings. Sonic games work fine.

 

Touch and motion games were a problem until I plugged in a USB mouse. Others have recommended using a gamepad mapper, but the old wireless Logitech mouse I'm using does the job so I haven't tried any mappers.

 

My experience is far from extensive, but so far I've found most Google Play stuff works.

 

For $20, I still think it's a great deal for the controller, HDMI cable, and USB charger

 

As a gaming device, even the limited GameStick store has some good titles worth playing. Spend $20 to buy it for what it is, and it's OK.

 

As a Google Play device, for me it was a PITA to get working. I had a hell of a time getting the stick converted to developer because it wouldn't reflash correctly. Once that was resolved, I spent several more hours getting Google Play installed and working correctly because of permissions and other issues. It seems people have vastly different experiences getting Google Play working on these things, sometimes it goes smoothly and sometimes not. When it doesn't you have to do a factory reset and start over. It's not particularly hard, but very repetitive and frustrating. Keep the mouse handy for apps that don't see the controller and it's an OK gaming experience, and a decent media device that works fine with Netflix and other streaming media. Personally, I would not recommend buying it for Google Play use because there is just too much that can go wrong...

Edited September 16, 2014 by akator