What fits in your pocket, is fully Open Source, and can run CircuitPython, MakeCode Arcade or Arduino games you write yourself? That’s right, it’s the Adafruit PyGamer! We wanted to make an entry-level gaming handheld for DIY gaming, and maybe a little retro-emulation. It’s not the fastest and best of everything but it is an all-in-one dev board with a lot of possibilities!
The PyGamer is powered by our favorite chip, the ATSAMD51, with 512KB of flash and 192KB of RAM. We add 8 MB of QSPI flash for file storage, handy for images, fonts, sounds, or game assets.
On the front you get a 1.8″ 160×128 color TFT display with dimmable backlight – we have fast DMA support for drawing so updates are incredibly fast. A dual-potentiometer analog stick gives you great control, with easy diagonal movement – or really any direction you like. There’s also 4 square-top buttons, which fit our square top button caps. The buttons are arranged to mimic a gaming handheld, with 2 menu-select buttons and 2 fire-action buttons. There’s also 5 NeoPixel LEDs to dazzle or track activity.
On the back we have a full Feather-compatible header socket set, so you can plug in any FeatherWing to expand the capabilities of the PyGamer. There’s also 3 STEMMA connectors – two 3-pin with ADC/PWM capability and one 4-pin that connects to I2C – you can use this for Grove sensors as well.
For built in sensors, there’s a light sensor that points out the front, and a 3-axis accelerometer that can detect taps and free-fall. To make bleeps and bloops, plug in any set of stereo headphones. For projects where you need more volume, you can plug in one of our 8 ohm speakers. The PyGamer will auto-switch to headphones when they’re plugged in, otherwise play through the speaker.
The PyGamer can be powered from a Lithium Polymer battery (the acrylic case will take one that is 350mAh or smaller). An on-off switch will save battery power when not in use. Or power from the Micro USB port – it will also charge up the battery if one is attached.
Now, how to program it? Well you’ve got a lot of options!
Here’s a list of everything you get
This product is just the bare PCB! Button caps, acrylic case, speaker and battery are not included!
Product Dimensions: 101.6mm x 60.0mm x 19.5mm / 4.0″ x 2.4″ x 0.8″
Product Weight: 37.5g / 1.3oz