GameBro X2 Game Stick: Turn Any TV Into a Retro Arcade

Not everyone wants to play retro games on a small handheld screen. Some of us want the big-screen experience — sprawled on the sofa, controller in hand, games displayed on the TV just like the old days. That's exactly what the GameBro X2 Plus Game Stick delivers.

This tiny plug-and-play device turns any TV with an HDMI port into a retro gaming arcade, complete with wireless controllers and over 40,000 pre-loaded games. It's available in two versions: a 2-player pack and a 4-player pack.

Let's take a proper look at what it offers and who it's for.

What Is the X2 Plus Game Stick?

The X2 Plus is a small HDMI dongle — about the size of a large USB stick — that plugs directly into your TV's HDMI port. It comes with wireless controllers, a 128GB storage loaded with 40,000+ games, and built-in WiFi and Bluetooth.

The concept is dead simple: plug the stick into your TV, power it via USB (most TVs have a USB port you can use, or you can use any phone charger), pair the controllers, and start playing. Setup takes about two minutes.

There's no subscription, no internet connection required for gameplay, and no ongoing costs. Everything you need is in the box.

Two Versions: 2-Player vs 4-Player

The X2 Plus comes in two packages, and the only difference is the number of controllers included:

Both versions use the same game stick with the same game library. The 4-player version is £9.50 more, which works out at less than £5 per extra controller — a fair deal if you can see yourself needing four players.

What Games Can It Play?

The X2 Plus plays the same enormous library of 40,000+ games as our handheld consoles. The systems include:

• PlayStation 1 — Crash Bandicoot, Tekken, Spyro, Gran Turismo
• Sega Mega Drive — Sonic, Streets of Rage, Golden Axe
• SNES — Super Mario World, Donkey Kong Country, Street Fighter II
• NES — Super Mario Bros, Contra, Double Dragon
• Arcade — Pac-Man, Metal Slug, The Simpsons, NBA Jam
• Game Boy Advance — Pokemon, Zelda, Metroid
• N64 — GoldenEye, Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros
• And many more — Dreamcast, PSP, Neo Geo, Atari, PC Engine, and others

Multiplayer is where the X2 Plus really shines. Many of these classic games were designed for two or more players, and playing them on a big TV with wireless controllers feels exactly right. Think Streets of Rage co-op, Bomberman with four players, head-to-head Tekken, or Mario Kart with the family.

The Multiplayer Experience

This is the X2 Plus's secret weapon. While our handheld consoles are brilliant for solo gaming, the Game Stick is built for shared experiences.

Here's what works especially well in multiplayer:

• Co-op beat 'em ups — Streets of Rage, Golden Axe, Final Fight, The Simpsons Arcade. Team up and fight through levels together.
• Head-to-head fighters — Street Fighter II, Tekken, Mortal Kombat, King of Fighters. Classic competitive gaming at its best.
• Party games — Bomberman (up to 4 players), Super Smash Bros, Mario Party mini-games.
• Racing — Mario Kart, Micro Machines, Top Gear. Split-screen racing on the big TV.
• Sports — NBA Jam, FIFA, International Superstar Soccer, NHL. Perfect for competitive sessions.

The wireless controllers are comfortable to hold and responsive. There's no noticeable input lag, which is essential for competitive games. Each controller uses its own wireless dongle, so pairing is automatic — just turn them on and they connect.

Setup: Genuinely Simple

We know "easy setup" is a claim every product makes, but the X2 Plus genuinely lives up to it. Here's the entire process:

1. Plug the X2 Plus stick into your TV's HDMI port
2. Power it using the included USB cable (connect to your TV's USB port or a phone charger)
3. Turn on the controllers
4. Switch your TV to the correct HDMI input
5. Start playing

That's it. No WiFi account needed, no app downloads, no software updates required. The games are all pre-loaded and organised by system, so you just browse to the system you want and pick a game.

What's in the Box?

2-Player version (£49.98):

• 1x X2 Plus Game Stick
• 2x Wireless controllers
• 1x 128GB storage (pre-loaded with 40,000+ games)
• 1x USB power cable
• 1x HDMI extension cable (useful if the stick doesn't fit directly)

4-Player version (£59.48):

• Everything in the 2-player version, plus 2 additional wireless controllers

Who Is It For?

The X2 Plus is perfect for:

• Families — An affordable way to get the whole family gaming together. Kids love discovering "mum and dad's old games," and parents love the nostalgia trip.
• Couples — A great date-night activity that beats scrolling Netflix. The 2-player co-op games are particularly good.
• Social gatherings — Bring it to a friend's house, plug it into their TV, and you've got instant entertainment. The 4-player pack is ideal for this.
• Gift buyers — At under £50 for the 2-player version, it's a memorable and unique gift for anyone who grew up gaming.
• Anyone who prefers TV gaming — Not everyone wants to squint at a small screen. The X2 Plus gives you the full living room experience.

X2 Plus vs Our Handhelds: What's Different?

It's worth noting that the X2 Plus and our handheld consoles serve different purposes:

• Handhelds (like the R36S, R36S Max and R36S Ultra) are for portable, solo gaming on the go
• The X2 Plus is for big-screen, multiplayer gaming at home

Many of our customers own both — a handheld for commuting and travel, and the Game Stick for home use. They complement each other nicely rather than competing.

Which Version Should You Choose?

It's a straightforward decision:

• Get the 2-player version (£49.98) if it'll mostly be you and one other person playing. It covers the vast majority of multiplayer games.
• Get the 4-player version (£59.48) if you have a family, regularly host game nights, or simply want the option of four-player gaming. The extra £9.50 is well worth it for the added flexibility.

The Verdict

The X2 Plus Game Stick is the easiest and most affordable way to bring retro gaming to your living room. Plug it in, pick up a controller, and you've got instant access to 40,000+ classic games on the big screen. It's simple, it works, and it's brilliant for multiplayer.

At £49.98 for the 2-player version (or £59.48 with 4 controllers), the X2 Plus offers outstanding value. It makes for an excellent gift, a fun family activity, or just a way to enjoy classic games the way they were meant to be played — on a proper screen with a controller in your hands.

Interested? Head to the X2 Plus product page to see full details and choose your version. You can also browse our complete range of handhelds and accessories in the shop.