It is a microconsole the size of a USB flash drive that plugs directly into the back of a TV through an HDMI port and ships with its own Bluetooth controller.

The device is powered by the PlayJam Games Platform and runs its own version of the Android operating system.

Because of a change in production methods, the original release date of June 2013 was delayed,[1][2] and units did not ship to retailers until early November 2013.

[4] Game designers interested in the project could pledge $500 in exchange for a prototype unit and development kit one month before launch.

[12] Similarly, Engadget cited the device's portability, low price, and slick design as strengths but was disappointed by the selection of games and the hardware, which it said could become outdated fairly quickly.

[13] The GameStick website began displaying a message saying that they would be shutting down the service after two years of operation, stating that after January 9th, 2017, the storefront would be inactive.