When it comes to playing media and bringing web streaming to the television in India before FireTV and Google Chromecast became commonplace, your only option was to purchase an Android box. With its constantly improving EvoTV line of devices, Amkette aced this market in India.
With the realization that its intended purpose was not being served, the EvoTV has morphed into the EvoFox Game Box 2022, a cheap gaming gadget complete with a gamepad and an air remote.
The EvoFox Game Box is a whole bundle for gamers, including an Android smart box loaded with a tonne of games and access to the Google Play store for instant downloads. In addition, this means you can install any software, from Netflix to Vimeo, onto your big-screen TV.
One of the most forward-thinking features of the original EvoTV, the Air Remote, also has a 2022 avatar that simplifies the majority of the device’s interface. Typing in credentials such as user names and passwords can be a hassle, thus a compact keyboard is recommended for any serious use.
The Game Box runs on a 64-bit quad-core processor and features a separate 3D graphics processor, 4GB of RAM, and 32GB of storage space. You can use the built-in Wi-Fi, or you can plug into the included RJ45 ethernet port if you happen to be in close proximity to a modem.
Then, there’s an HDMI out for your TV and two USB-A slots for your controller and other accessories. If there had been an extra USB port, I could have used both gamepads in addition to the remote. I appreciated the box’s game vibe, which was enhanced by the pink LED light on its front.
The EvoFox Game Box is as intuitive to use as any other Android device once you’ve signed in with your Google account. As the parent of an eleven-year-old, I appreciated that the Google log-in wasn’t required to access the many games that were preinstalled on this device.
The user interface requires no prior knowledge or training to operate. I was a little lost in the preloaded retro games section, though, because it’s a hodgepodge of random folders and outdated instructions. The back button also occasionally stopped responding, so I had to train myself to use the Home button instead.
Yet, there are a few concerns I must raise. The user interface might be perplexing at times, sending you down dead ends where you are told things like “shortcut no space” etc. In the past, I fondly recall utilizing the air remote to play several games on EvoTV.
However, using the gamepad is required for all games on the EvoFox Game Box, which is a minor annoyance for a veteran gamer like myself. I can play Pac-Man 256 quickly and easily without a controller.
However, if you have a child you don’t want to expose to expensive gaming possibilities and you also have older folks who would enjoy a dose of the games they grew up with, this is a terrific device to acquire for your family. The fact that the EvoFox Game Box is also a complete entertainment system that can replace your cable box is a huge plus.
Even though it costs Rs 9,999, I think it’s well worth it because there aren’t many alternatives on the market. For those epic father-son gaming weekends, you can pick up a second Gamepad for Rs 1499. For now, I’m going to avoid the PS5 debate by acquiring this for my son.