Introduction: HACKED!: Looping Louie on Steroids
In this project I will show you how I "hacked" a kids game called "Looping Louie". This way the speed of the toy airplane receives a big speed boost and makes the game more fun and difficult for adults. You can control the speed with a potentiometer from -9V up to +9V or choose one of the three random modes (easy,medium and hard) which randomly selects a speed value and direction.
Step 1: Watch the Video!
The video gives you all information you need to build this on your own. But here I will also present you my parts list, schematic, pics and the arduino sketch.
Step 2: Order Your Parts!
Here you can find all the parts that I used in this project. Feel free to order them with the given links (affiliate links).
Ebay:
1x Looping Louie Game:http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
1x LCD 16x2 HD44780:http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
2x Push button: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
1x 10k Potentiometer: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
1x Potentiometer Knob:http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
1x Project Box (black):http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
1x DC Jack: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
1x 9V Power Supply (1A):http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
1x Slide Switch:http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
1x Hook-Up Wire:http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
1x Silvered Copper Wire (Bridge Wire): http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
1x PCB (copper dots): http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
1x LM7805: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
2x 10µFCapacitor:http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
2x 100nF Capacitor: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
2x 22pF Capacitor:http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
1x 100k Potentiometer:http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
3x 10k Resistor:http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
1x 16MHz Crystal:http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
1x Male header:http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
1x Female header: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
1x Atmega 328P:http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
1x FTDI breakout: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
1x L293D: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
Amazon.de:
1x Looping Louie Game:http://amzn.to/1AsIY1e
1x LCD 16x2 HD44780:http://amzn.to/1vwaSYT
2x Push button:http://amzn.to/1vwbaiC
1x 10k Potentiometer:http://amzn.to/1xVIq0q
1x Potentiometer Knob:http://amzn.to/1r4DsJE
1x Project Box (black): -
1x DC Jack:http://amzn.to/1xZ9jBJ
1x 9V Power Supply (1A):http://amzn.to/1xbdZQU
1x Slide Switch:http://amzn.to/1r4D51T
1x Hook-Up Wire:http://amzn.to/1qGS87j
1x Silvered Copper Wire (Bridge Wire):http://amzn.to/1xZ9xIZ
1x PCB (copper dots):http://amzn.to/1AsLlB2
1x LM7805:http://amzn.to/14X4EFV
2x 10µFCapacitor:http://amzn.to/1r4ExkF
2x 100nF Capacitor:http://amzn.to/11lxZYo
2x 22pF Capacitor:http://amzn.to/11lxZYo
1x 100k Potentiometer:http://amzn.to/1r4ELZ4
3x 10k Resistor:http://amzn.to/1xZ9VqI
1x 16MHz Crystal:http://amzn.to/1r4EUvA
1x Male header:http://amzn.to/14X5eDy
1x Female header:http://amzn.to/1yyG2MC
1x Atmega 328P:http://amzn.to/1uj2YLw
1x FTDI breakout:http://amzn.to/1F8tjlM
1x L293D:http://amzn.to/1vwcxh7
Aliexpress:
1x LCD 16x2 HD44780: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dW1U1Fi
2x Push button: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dXIIMcP
1x 10k Potentiometer: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dX83GAF
1x DC Jack: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_d6cVZVl
1x 9V Power Supply (1A): https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_d8Hnap2
1x Slide Switch: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dVn7Jlz
1x PCB (copper dots): https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dXx2Zv5
1x LM7805: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dXSrfiP
2x 10µFCapacitor: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_d7dOwRz
2x 100nF Capacitor: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dU4FEsB
2x 22pF Capacitor: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dU4FEsB
1x 100k Potentiometer: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dX83GAF
3x 10k Resistor: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dTPpXjt
1x 16MHz Crystal: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dZ5pf72
1x Atmega 328P: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dVDipC8
1x FTDI breakout: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dV4Gqp1
Step 3: Build the Circuit!
Here you can find the schematic that I made for the project. Feel free to build your own board design but you can also use my own design as a reference.
Step 4: Upload the Code!
Here you can find the Arduino Code that I used in this project. I used an FTDI breakout to program my Atmega328P but you can also just place it inside an Arduino Uno and program it this way.
Attachments
Step 5: Success!
Now you can enjoy your hardcore Looping Louie game with some new awesome features!
Feel free to check out my Youtube channel for more awesome projects:
http://www.youtube.com/user/greatscottlab
You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ for news about upcoming projects and behind the scenes information.
14 Comments
1 year ago
Hat echt gut funktioniert, va kurz vor Silvester auch schnell zu machen ;D
7 years ago on Introduction
Hi, I have finally buildt your Hacked Louie but when I try to upload the ino file with my UNO and an Atmega 328p-pu I got compiling error and a lot of red lines indicating missing commands. Can you help? Best regards /Dan
Reply 2 years ago
I did not get any compiling errors, the software works fine. Did the red lines tell you that the programmer is not working? Then probably your chip does not contain a bootloader and that is why it does not work...
Reply 6 years ago
Did you get this working on the uno?
And did you include the LCD in the end?
2 years ago on Introduction
So, I managed to build this and it works, but one important fact should be made VERY clear. When buying the Atmega328P you have to make sure that it already contains a "bootloader", which is a small software part that allows the programming by the FTDI. MOST OF THE TIMES when you buy the Atmega328P, the bootloader is not included (also when they say so in Aliexpress!) and you will not be able to transfer the program. To add the bootloader, you will need a functioning arduino board (with additional Atmegachip) to first install a bootloader into the chip. I tried that with a borrowed arduino, but it did not work for whatever reason, so I bought a complete arduino board (ELEGOO) for 10 EUR with an Atmega328P included and then the bootloader is definitely already installed. You can then program the Atmega328P chip directly while in the arduino board and when ready plug it into the Louie board. If you do it like this, you will not be needing the FTDI, the pins for the FTDI connector, the capacitor and resistor on pin1 and save some connections. The cost will more or less be the same in the end but it makes it a bit easier to do. Of course if you switch the chip to often back to the arduino to change the program, you might break its pins.
Question 2 years ago
"2x 10µFCapacitor" is in the list but on the picture clearly a 47 µF is on the table and another one that seems even bigger. Why the differences between foto's and list?
3 years ago
Thx dude for this, works well!
Reply 2 years ago
Did you follow the schematic for this or did you try to dissect the images?
I found a discrapancy between the video and schema and don't knkw which to follow
Reply 2 years ago
Hey i Used the Schema in the Video and the script ino in this Post and Build my own Programm.
2 years ago
Can you post a clearer schematic? I'm trying to read it but the image file distorts the scheme. Additionally when I try to compare it with the video, I can't fully understand which lines are matching which wire.
8 years ago on Introduction
Cool, here in Sweden LCD's are so expensive, can I just exclude it or do I have to change more things. The switch will toggle anyway?
8 years ago on Introduction
Nice Hack!!
As your project... I knew that there are many toies can hack.
thank you
8 years ago on Introduction
Sehr gut !
That's a really cool project :)
8 years ago on Introduction
Very cool! That game looks like a lot of fun. I wonder if someone would make a homemade version completely from scratch... Hmmm!