Arduino Video Game Console

Hello, today we will be building our own video game console based on the Arduino Uno R3. We will be testing out a game where the user avoids obstacles coming at them. It is a simple project that will entertain your family and friends, and it is easily customizable. The main components will include the Arduino Uno, and LCD Display, and the Video Game Controller we will be making. Let's get started!

We will need the following supplies for this project, which are listed below:

- Arduino Uno R3 ( A Clone will work just fine too just make sure the main chip is the ATMEGA328P)

- (1) Light Emitting Diode ( Otherwise known as LED )

- (2) 220 Ohm Resistors

- (1) 250 Ohm Potentiometer ( For Adjusting the Contrast )

- (1) Full Size Breadboard ( This is where the main circuit while go )

- (1) Breadboard Mini (And this is for the game controller)

- (1) 16x2 LCD Display with pre-soldered pins ( If not then solder yourself )

- (1-3) Pushbuttons ( This is for the Video Game Input )

- (1 OPTIONAL) Buzzer or Piezo ( For the Sound Effects! )

- (1) Laptop or Desktop Computer ( In order to program the Arduino )

- (1) USB to USB-B cable ( In order to upload the code form the Computer to the Video Game Console )

- (30+) Jumper Wires

We are all set! Just make sure to have a clean open space to work on!

Step 2.1: Get out the full sized breadboard and place the Arduino on the far left side of the breadboard ( You can secure it with double sided tape if you want) and if it has headers on the bottom, push them into the power rails ( This is because we are not using them and this is another way to secure it )

Step 2.2: Place the LCD Screen on the far right of the breadboard, and push in the headers of the screen ( If not then please solder them on )

Step 2.3: Place the 250 Ohm Potentiometer in the middle of the Arduino and LCD Display, and push it in.

Step 2.4: Grab the Mini breadboard and put in the buttons ( 1-3 ) as a bridge side by side starting from the left. Then on the right place the optional Piezo/Buzzer for the sound.

Now that we have placed the pieces, now it is time to connect them!

Step 3.1: Get the 220 Ohm Resistor and the Led, this will be the power indicator. Attach one end of the resistor to the anode of the led ( The longer leg of it ), and place the other end into pin number 13 on the Arduino, and attach the cathode ( The shorter leg of the Led ) by a jumper wire to the Ground ( GND ) pin on the Arduino.

Step 3.2: Get 2 jumper wires, and connect the top left pin to ground ( GND ) on the Arduino and the bottom right pin of the pushbutton to pin 2 on the Arduino. This will be the button the users presses in order to jump in the game.

This is going to be the most important step, and it is a little long. So make sure to pay close attention to this part.

Step 4.1: First, hook up the left leg of the potentiometer to 5V ( Power/VCC ) Pin on the Arduino. Then hook up the right leg to Ground ( GND ) Pin on the Arduino. And finally hook up the middle pin to the VO Pin on the LCD Screen ( 3rd to the Right ). Now we can adjust this for the contrast.

Step 4.2: Connect the LED Cathode Pin of the Display to a 220 Ohm Resistor, then connect the other end of the resistor to ground ( GND ) pin on the LCD Display. Then connect the LED pin of the LCD Display to the VCC pin of the LCD Display. Now follow the Following connections for the 4 data lines of the Display.

DB7 --> PIN 3

DB6 --> PIN 4

DB5 --> PIN 5

DB4 --> PIN 6

Good. We have the data lines setup now. The next thing to do is setup up all of the remaining pins on the LCD Screen. Please follow the instructions below!

E --> PIN 11

RW --> GND PIN

RS --> PIN 12

Great! We setup up all of the hardware. Now the only thing left to do is do the Software!

Ok, so now that we have setup the Hardware Configuration, now it's time to do the Software Coding. SO the first setup is if you haven't yet, download the Arduino IDE. The link is below.

https://www.arduino.cc/en/software

Then next step is to attach the USB cable from your laptop to your Arduino, this is used to upload the program form your computer to the Board. Then download this file, it contains the game we are running on the Video Game Console.

Then, run the program and transfer it to the Arduino. The project is now completed, enjoy!