Every Monday night, Ridgewood Commons transforms into a haven for Brandeis students who just want to relax, play games, and connect. Console Gamers X (CGX), the university’s all-inclusive, co-ed gaming club, is where casual players and competitive gamers alike come together to unwind and share their love for video games. Whether you’re there to go head-to-head in “Super Smash Bros.” or just want to try something new with friends, CGX offers a space where every student belongs.
I had the opportunity to speak with Brooks Bellinger ’26, the President of Console Gamers X. “As President, my main duties are organizing E-Board meetings, planning and promoting events, making administrative decisions for the club, and providing interface between CGX, new members and other clubs,” he shares.
CGX’s mission is simple but meaningful. “Our mission is to provide an all-inclusive co-ed video gaming club,” he explained. “The club exists to gather the members of the Brandeis community who enjoy video games together to play and socialize, and to provide them with the resources to do so.”
That inclusive atmosphere attracts a wide range of players. “An aim of ours has been to provide a wide variety of games to casual audiences, but we also have members with interests in competitive gaming,” Bellinger said.
For Bellinger himself, CGX became more than just a club, it became a community. “I used to be an avid competitor in ‘Super Smash Brothers Ultimate’ and heard that CGX was a club where the game was played,” he said. “After attending my first meeting, what I found was a community that shared the same passion for video games I had.”
What sets CGX apart is how responsive it is to its members. “Last semester, a member expressed interest in playing a game that we didn’t offer, so we had them plug in their laptop to the TV so members could play it at their convenience,” said Bellinger. “What ensued was an ‘Overcooked!’ frenzy that drew much excitement from those both playing and watching. The E-Board later decided to acquire the game with our club funding, showing the impact members can have on the club’s experience and library of games.”
CGX doesn’t just host weekly meetups, it’s also become a place for creative, collaborative campus events. This semester, the club made Brandeis history with its largest event yet: a Mario Kart tournament with a live band performing in sync with the action. “The Mario Kart tournament was by far the biggest event our club has run in its history,” Bellinger shared. “A trend floating around on social media was live bands accompanying Mario Kart gameplay, supplying the music/sound effects etc. A connection our treasurer Izaiah had with a member of MAD Band sparked a brilliant collaboration between our clubs.”
After weeks of planning, the tournament took place March 19 in the Sherman Function Hall. “We gathered and ran a tournament for the game with MAD Band playing live music to accompany the competitors,” Bellinger said. “There was lots of opportunity for casual play among attendees. Around 80 students in total attended, with 30 participating in the competition.”
The event captured everything CGX stands for: fun, community, creativity and passion. “CGX was extremely thrilled and grateful for the opportunity to co-host the event, which couldn’t have happened without MAD Band’s hard work and enthusiasm,” said Bellinger. “Members of both clubs have expressed interest in making the tournament an annual event!”
While CGX doesn’t have any immediate events on the calendar, Bellinger assures students that more is coming. “We will promote any and all events going on between now and the end of the semester,” he shared. Check out their Instagram @brandeis_cgx to stay up to date on what’s next for CGX.
In the meantime, CGX continues to offer a low-pressure, high-reward way to connect. When asked to describe the club in three words, Bellinger said: “Inclusive, friendly, easygoing.”
Getting involved is as simple as showing up. “If a student wants to get involved in CGX, the best thing they can do is join the club on Campus Groups and Discord where we keep members updated with meeting times and events,” said Bellinger. “We gather in Ridgewood Commons every Monday evening from 7–11 PM. Everyone is free to drop in and out as they please.”
In a fast-paced college environment like Brandeis, Console Gamers X is more than just a gaming club. It’s a space to relax, make some new friends and build community. Whether you’re there to compete or just to unwind, CGX proves that some of the most meaningful campus connections are made while having fun.
