Introduction: DIY Cheap Arduino Gameboy
Everyone gets bored while traveling in long trips and want something to cheer them up!!
Reading novels can be choice :/
But they also get boring after some time!!
So in this Instructable I will show you how to make a handheld gaming device using Arduino UNO/Nano and LCD screen which allows you to play your favorite Flappy Birds game :D :D
Inspiration:
https://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-Flappy-Bird-Game/
So let's Begin!!
Step 1: Gather the Components!!
Materials Needed:
1)Arduino UNO/Nano
2)LCD Screen(16x2)
3) a Push Button
3) a Switch
4) A 9V battery/Rechargeable Battery(recommended)
5) Perf Board
6)10k Potentiometer
7) A Casing for the components(I used a small lunch box)
8) 2 x 220 ohm resistors
9) Some jumper cables
10) A male barrel jack
Step 2: Wire Up Everything!!
1)First solder the push button and the lcd on a piece of perf board.
2)Make two slits on the perf board for the switch above the push button
3)Extend solder rails from each of the pin of the lcd
4)Now make the connection by soldering the wires as follows:
For LCD:
VDD---> +5v on Arduino
VSS---> GND on Arduino
RW--->Pin 12
E--->Pin 11
RS--->GND
D4--->Pin 5
D5---->Pin 4
D6--->Pin 3
D7---> Pin 8
A---> +5V with the 220 ohm resistor
K---> GND
V0---> Wiper of potentiometer
For Push Botton:
Connect one terminal to +5V with a 220 ohm resistor
Connect the other terminal to GND
Connect the terminal with 220 ohm resistor to pin 2 on Arduino
For Potentiometer:
Input---> +5V of Arduino
GND--->GND on Arduino
Wiper---> V0 pin on LCD
For Switch:
Connect one terminal to Negative on the Battery and other to the male barrel jack
Connect the positive terminal of the battery to the barrel jack
Step 3: Upload the Arduino Code:
Now open the Arduino IDE and open the code file attached with this instructable
Connect the Arduino to your computer and upload the code
*Test the game once after uploading the code and double check your connections!
Attachments
Step 4: Prepare the Casing!!
1)Make the layouts of the switch and lcd on the lid of the case and cut the out with the help of a utility knife and some caution.
2)Drill a hole for the push button below the the slit for the switch on the lid.
3)Take out an empty refill from an old pen and cut out a small peice of it. Then hot glue it on the push botton.
4) Connect the battery and place it in the box with Arduino UNO.
5)Place the perf board with the components soldered on it behind the lid in such a way so that the lcd and switch come out of their designated places.
6)Close the lid and then take a push button cover(I used one from an old broken Headphones) and hotr glue it on the refill coming out of the hole made from the push button.
Step 5: AND YOU ARE DONE!!
Now switch it on and start gaming!!
Carry it while traveling or play at home
Just the press the push button to rescue the bird from getting smacked :D :D

Participated in the
Box Contest 2017

Participated in the
Travel Contest 2017
18 Comments
Question 9 months ago
Can you do this without soldering?
Answer 7 months ago
Yes you can. You can build the whole circuit on a breadboard. The main reason for building this on a perf board was so that it could be placed inside a small box. But if that doesn't matter for you, you could build the project on a breadboard which won't require any soldering.
3 years ago
Games projects are one of the best to fast learning :) Coding it is fun :) Great work!
Reply 3 years ago
yes! indeed it is:D
3 years ago
Nice device. Keep up the good work.
Reply 3 years ago
thank u very much :)
3 years ago
Great instructable! I would make this instructable for my nice.
PS- It gives me the feel of jumping dinosaur game in chrome,when they is not internet connectivity. :D Keep up the good work.
Reply 3 years ago
Thank you very much!! :)
3 years ago
Its really nice the you tube video of this was really fascinating keep it up your work is really nice
Reply 3 years ago
Thank you very much!!
3 years ago
Piece of genius! Well done mister
Reply 3 years ago
Thank u mister :)
3 years ago
impressave!
Reply 3 years ago
Thank you very much!!
3 years ago
You may add some stuff like apples to speed up, bones to slow down, and other pickable stuff to reverse direction for example, or to multiply/add scores, or even some magic pot to go through obstacles. Maybe, levels, where you must kick (just add 1 button) obstacles instead of avoiding them.
It's good enough diy practice, but old used android for same price will be much better for gaming at home and especially at travel. Power on your imagination, squeeze all juice from your hardware - it can be much more entertaining!)
Reply 3 years ago
Thank you sir for you suggestions
will surely try to include more features :)
3 years ago
Great idea!
You could try using a 16x4 LCD display so that your bird has more space to jump. I loved the whole simplicity of it :D
Reply 3 years ago
That's a really nice idea
Thank u very much!!