The best retro game stick for most people is the one that covers the systems you actually want to play. For classic 8-bit and 16-bit games on a budget, choose the M8 Game Stick Lite. For the widest arcade and classic handheld range, choose the M15 Game Stick Pro. For 3D-era systems such as N64 and PSP, choose the X2 Plus. If you'd rather not hang a stick off the back of your TV, the M23 sits on its own stand.
Disclosure: we sell every model in this guide. We compare them on the specifications listed on their product pages and the questions our customers ask most, and we list the trade-offs of each one.
Quick picks
- Best value for two players: M8 Game Stick Lite
- Best for arcade and classic handheld systems: M15 Game Stick Pro
- Best for 3D-era systems (N64, PSP, Dreamcast, NDS): X2 Plus
- Best tabletop alternative to a stick: M23 TV Game Console
Side-by-side comparison
| M8 Game Stick Lite | M15 Game Stick Pro | X2 Plus | M23 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | HDMI stick | HDMI stick | HDMI stick | Tabletop console with stand |
| Systems | Classic systems up to PS1 | Arcade (MAME, CPS1–CPS3, FBNeo), Atari, Game Boy family, Genesis, NES, SNES, PC Engine, PS1 | Adds N64, PSP, Dreamcast and NDS | See product page |
| System software | — | Linux, RetroArch-based | S905 chip | — |
| Storage | 64GB card | 64GB | 32GB or 64GB | TF card slot |
| Controllers | 2 × 2.4G wireless | 2 × 2.4G wireless | 2 wireless | 2 × 2.4G wireless |
| Connection | HDMI + USB power | HDMI + USB power | HDMI, 4K output label | HDMI cable + USB-C power |
| Price (Nov 2026) | $39.99 | $59.99 | $59.99 / $69.99 | $59.99 |
Prices were correct when this guide was published; check each product page for the current price and package contents.
How we compared them
- Systems covered: the single biggest difference between game sticks. A higher game count does not mean newer systems.
- Storage: how much room the card has for the system and your own compatible files.
- Controllers and players: every model here includes two wireless controllers for two-player games.
- Setup and power: what plugs in where, and what is not in the box.
- Form factor and price: a stick behind the TV or a small console beside it, and what you pay for the extra range.
M8 Game Stick Lite: best value
The M8 Game Stick Lite is the simplest way to get classic games on a TV for two players. It plugs into an HDMI port, comes with a 64GB card and two 2.4G wireless controllers, and covers classic systems up to PS1.
- Good for: 8-bit and 16-bit classics, first-time buyers, gifts on a budget.
- Trade-offs: no 3D-era systems beyond PS1; controller batteries and a wall adapter are not included.
M15 Game Stick Pro: best for arcade and classic handheld systems
The M15 Game Stick Pro runs a RetroArch-based Linux system with a long list of arcade and classic emulators: MAME, CPS1–CPS3 and FBNeo for arcade games, plus Atari, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, Game Gear, Genesis, NES, SNES, PC Engine, Neo Geo Pocket Color and PS1. It has 64GB of storage and two 2.4G wireless controllers.
- Good for: arcade fans and anyone who wants many classic systems in one menu.
- Trade-offs: no N64 or PSP-era systems listed; the "4K" on the stick describes video output, not how the games are rendered.
X2 Plus: best for 3D-era systems
The X2 Plus uses an S905 chip and adds emulators for 3D-era systems including N64, PSP, Dreamcast and NDS. It comes in 32GB and 64GB versions with two wireless controllers.
- Good for: players who want early-3D classics on the big screen.
- Trade-offs: performance on demanding 3D games depends on the game and settings; it costs more than the M8.
M23: best tabletop alternative
The M23 is not a stick: it stands upright beside your TV and connects with an HDMI cable, so nothing hangs off the back of the screen. It includes two 2.4G wireless controllers, an HDMI cable, a USB charging cable and a TF card slot.
- Good for: TVs with hard-to-reach HDMI ports, or a tidier entertainment unit.
- Trade-offs: larger than a stick (about 17.5 × 11 × 5 cm); check its product page for the systems it covers.
Buyer's checklist
- Pick the systems you care about first, then the model. Game counts are not a guide to quality.
- Check you have a free HDMI input and a USB power source; a 5V USB wall adapter is the usual choice.
- Have batteries ready for the controllers if they are not included.
- Treat a "4K" label as an output resolution, not a promise of sharper retro graphics.
- Buy from a seller with a clear return policy and published delivery times. Our TV consoles ship free from the US with 30-day returns.
- Only play games you own or have the right to use.
New to game sticks? Start with what a game stick is and how it works. Prefer your own screen? Compare handhelds and HDMI game sticks.
FAQ
What is the best game stick for two players?
Every model in this guide includes two wireless controllers. For classic two-player games on a budget, the M8 Game Stick Lite is the simplest choice.
Which game stick can play N64 or PSP games?
Of the models here, the X2 Plus is the one that adds N64, PSP, Dreamcast and NDS emulators. How well each game runs depends on the game and settings.
Is a game stick better than a retro handheld?
It depends on where you play. A game stick is better for the TV and two players; a handheld is better for portable, single-player play.
Are retro game sticks worth it?
They are an inexpensive way to play classic games on a TV with two controllers and almost no setup. They are not designed for modern games, and not every included game runs perfectly.