EMUELEC - SONICBOT - Gamestick X2 Ultra

Sonicbot

[Gamestick X2 Ultra V1.5 FIXED (NO_ROMS) by Sonicbot] I/ Foreword: • Please read the README_GSTICK_X2_SNBOT_EN.txt (English) or README_GSTICK_X2_SNBOT_FR.txt (français) files in the directory carefully before use. • ROMs are not included for copyright reasons. In order for the submenus for the different consoles to appear, you must restore the ROMs from your personal backup. II/ Why this project? I received a GameStick X2 Ultra that seemed very promising on paper. However, like many users, I was quickly disappointed by the system provided by default with the GameStick X2. It suffers from numerous critical bugs and a lack of optimization. Furthermore, the original system limits the use of RetroArch to the Quick Menu. It is therefore not possible, for example, to modify or remap controller inputs directly from RetroArch. This limitation cannot be fixed simply by modifying the configuration files, as it results from a "hard-coded" modification to the RetroArch source code, followed by its recompilation by the GameStick manufacturer. This limitation is particularly problematic with certain Dreamcast games, such as Sonic Adventure 2, which require specific controller configurations. I therefore decided to start this personal project in order to build a clean and debugged system from the ground up, while keeping the essential features of the original system. I hope this work will be useful to other GameStick X2 users, and more generally to people who purchase pre-configured EmuELEC systems. This project has also allowed me to deepen my knowledge of GNU/Linux and EmuELEC, and to better understand how this type of embedded system works. III/ Release Features • ImageUSB utility and a minimum 64 GB microSD card required. • Compatible with the GameStick X2 Ultra with orange and grey wireless controllers. Other versions have not been tested. • Final version 1.5 (I have since sold my GameStick). • Based on the official EmuELEC 4.3 release, with no modifications to the source code for copyright reasons (unlike the original system provided with the GameStick X2 Ultra). For more information, search for the EmuELEC project on GitHub. • Advanced RetroArch/EmuELEC settings restored, and several core launch issues fixed. However, one core remains problematic and could not be made fully functional despite my attempts. • Reuses the theme, boot video, bezels, scraping configuration, and "Empire Storm" splash screen from the 256 GB version. • Watara Supervision is accessible from the interface, with dedicated artwork and scraping. Interestingly, the games for this console are included in the original 256 GB version, but the default theme does not provide access to them. • Significant Nintendo 64 and Dreamcast optimizations, allowing certain games that were previously unplayable or severely slowed down to run properly. IV/ Tips • Unlocking advanced options: EmuELEC starts in "Kiosk" mode. Enter B, B, B, A, B (or A, A, A, B, A if the buttons are reversed). To avoid corrupting the microSD card, switch back to Kiosk mode before using "Shutdown". • Cooling: it is recommended to add a small USB fan to reduce heat and improve the long-term reliability of the stick. • microSD card: the included card is very poor quality. It is recommended to create a backup image of it using a tool such as ImageUSB. • Internet access: to access the Internet, use a USB hub with a Wi-Fi adapter equipped with an RTL8811CU chipset. • Power supply: a sufficiently powerful power supply can improve stability and performance. If possible, use a fast charger. V/ For information: Default operating system of the GameStick X2 Ultra The original system is based on EmuELEC 4.3, the latest version compatible with Amlogic S905L CPUs, but it has been heavily modified by the manufacturer to restrict access to certain options. The displayed EmuELEC version and CPU type are also modified/hidden by default, apparently to mislead consumers, with an "Empire Storm" splash screen and intro video. VI/ For information: Default partition layout of the 256 GB version • STORAGE (ext4): GameStick configuration files located in /.config/. Accessible under Linux with root privileges, but not directly accessible from Windows. • EMUELEC (FAT32): EmuELEC system files (kernel.img, SYSTEM), dtb.img in SquashFS format, and the boot dtb.img file for the Amlogic S905L, along with their associated MD5 checksums. • game (FAT32): ROMs, images, and videos generated by the scraping process. It also contains Watara Supervision ROMs (a handheld console similar to the Game Boy that was released in Hong Kong and Taiwan), whose access is simply hidden from the interface. • Unallocated space: approximately 1.4 GB. VII/ For information: GameStick X2 Ultra hardware specifications • CPU: Amlogic S905L • RAM: 2 GB • No Reset button or Android ADB mode, preventing another system from being installed directly. The workaround is to use an equivalent device with a Reset button to install the system, then put the m