Wireless Repeater Help?

I have a netgear wireless router on the first floor and my xbox is in the basement. I can connect to the router but the connection is weak. My question is if I get a repeater can I just put it in the basement near the stairs (router is by the stairs on first floor) and will it boost my connection? Is it as simple as that? And can I just buy any Netgear-brand repeaters?