Here’s an open secret: most cheap streaming sticks aren’t great. Sure, it’s awesome that we can watch tons of shows and movies on devices that cost less than $50. It’s also nice that the best ones don’t lag much anymore. But over time, we see the downside. We save money upfront but pay with a poor user experience.
I’ve been thinking about this since I bought Amazon’s Fire TV Stick 4K Max a couple of months ago. It’s often on sale for $40, making it a great deal. It’s fast, supports major HDR formats, Dolby Atmos, and all the necessary apps.
However, Amazon’s Fire OS is full of ads. Big ads dominate the screen, mostly promoting Amazon services like Freevee, MGM+, or Prime Video. Some ads even suggest products you can buy on Amazon. Imagine your 55-inch TV telling you to buy a KitchenAid espresso machine. Once I’m streaming, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max is great. But I have to ignore all the ads to enjoy it.
So why did I buy one? Mainly because I’m not using it the way Amazon wants. Instead, I use it to play old video games, which I love. You can play retro games on many devices today, like PCs, iPhones, handhelds, or even fridges. You can also do this with other Android streamers like Google Chromecast or Amazon’s cheaper Fire TV Stick 4K. The Delta emulator is now on iOS, and you can use it on Apple TV too, though it’s through AirPlay, not a direct connection. I chose the 4K Max because it performs better than most other low-cost streamers and is much cheaper than higher-end boxes like the Apple TV or NVIDIA Shield.
Having a dedicated device for TVs is convenient. I don’t have to move a giant gaming PC to the living room or spend extra on a mini PC. Official consoles like the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5 have retro games, but not all. And while I have many old consoles and games, setting them up on a modern TV is a hassle. Sometimes I just want to play a bit of NHL ‘94, Ken Griffey Jr. Presents Major League Baseball, or Chrono Trigger without digging out my SNES (or Genesis), upscaler, and cables. Emulating on the Fire TV Stick isn’t as perfect as the real thing, but it’s playable and easier to use.
Setting it up takes a little work. You need a Bluetooth controller, a USB thumb drive, and an OTG adapter with a microUSB connector that can power the Fire TV while connecting the external storage. I use an old SNES-style 8BitDo controller for a nostalgic feel, though a PS4 or PS5 gamepad works too. The USB drive holds the ROM and BIOS files for the games and systems I want to emulate. Remember, emulators are legal, but sharing ROMs online isn’t. Backing up games you own for personal use is a gray area.
After formatting the thumb drive and loading it with games, download the RetroArch app from Amazon’s store. Download the “cores” for each console you want to emulate within RetroArch, point the app to the right folders on the USB drive, and set up your gamepad’s controls. I’ve done this many times, so it took me under an hour. There are many tutorials online to help. Retro Game Corps has a great video tutorial if you need guidance. Setting this up feels like getting away with something, and it’s exciting.
The 4K Max works best for emulating consoles up to the original PlayStation. Games from the PS1, NES, SNES, Game Boy, GBA, Genesis, and old arcade machines run smoothly. You can try N64, Dreamcast, PSP, or Nintendo DS games, but they’re hit-or-miss. Still, there are hundreds of games to enjoy, from classics like Donkey Kong to lesser-known titles like U.N. Squadron.
I know this is a niche hobby. Emulators can be intimidating, and many old games feel outdated. Yet, turning this ad-filled, data-collecting streamer into a mini retro console feels like reclaiming the device I bought. The ads are still there, and my home screen will keep suggesting shows on Prime Video. But with a little work, I’ve made it show more of what I want and found an easier way to enjoy some nostalgic fun.
Tags: Fire TV Stick 4K, PS1, Retro Gaming.
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