Published October 28, 2024 © LGPL

Arduino Game Controller

This is a universally usable game controller that can emulate seven different key inputs.

BeginnerFull instructions provided5 hours126

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Arduino Leonardo

Resistor 10k ohm

Jumper wires (generic)

Pushbutton 6mm

circuit board

Heat Set Insert M3

M3x8 Countersunk Screw

M3x10 Socket Head Screw

3D-Printer Filament

Software apps and online services

Arduino IDE

Hand tools and fabrication machines

Soldering iron (generic)

3D Printer (generic)

Story

With this game controller, you can steer every PC game that works with seven different keys on the keyboard, for example, Frogratto & Friends, Super Tux 2, Limbo, or Undertale. It is also very suitable for retro games like Pac-Man, Tetris, or Donkey Kong. This game controller simulates a keyboard. If you need to change the keys, adjust the code or remap the keys in the game menu.

3D-printing

First, 3D-print the parts melt in the thread inserts. You may have to adjust the height of the buttons with sandpaper, that they fit in the attachment with the pushbutton.

Soldering

I used the circuit board with three connected holes to supply the buttons with voltage and connect the wires from the buttons with the digital pins and the GND-pin.

Set up

Once you have uploaded the code, the controller should work plug and play on ervery PC.

Custom parts and enclosures

Sketchfab still processing.

Schematics

Code

Game Controller

# include "Keyboard.h"

int StateOld[7];
int StateNew[7];
int Pin_Number[7] = {1,2,3,4,5,6,7};
int Key_to_Press[7] = {KEY_LEFT_ARROW, KEY_RIGHT_ARROW, KEY_UP_ARROW, KEY_DOWN_ARROW,'a','s','d'};

void setup(){
  int i;
  Serial.begin(9600);
  for (i = 0; i < 7; ++i ) {
    pinMode(Pin_Number[i], INPUT);
    digitalWrite(Pin_Number[i], LOW);
    StateOld[i] = digitalRead(Pin_Number[i]);
    StateNew[i] = digitalRead(Pin_Number[i]);
  }
}

void loop() {
  int i;

  for( i = 0 ; i < 7 ; ++i ) {
    if (StateOld[i] != StateNew[i]) {
      StateOld[i]  = digitalRead (Pin_Number[i]);
      if (StateOld[i] == HIGH) {
        Keyboard.press(Key_to_Press[i]);
      }
      else if (StateOld[i] == LOW) {
        Keyboard.release(Key_to_Press[i]);
      }
    }
    StateNew[i] = digitalRead (Pin_Number[i]);
   }
}

Arduino Game Controller

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Software apps and online services

Hand tools and fabrication machines

Story

3D-printing

Soldering

Set up

Custom parts and enclosures

CAD Document

main body

backplate

attachment direction

attachment

button direction

button

Schematics

controller_steckplatine_686Ez5xH1d.png

Code

Game Controller

Credits

matthias

Comments

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Arduino Game Controller

Arduino Game Controller

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Software apps and online services

Hand tools and fabrication machines

Story

3D-printing

Soldering

Set up

Custom parts and enclosures

CAD Document

main body

backplate

attachment direction

attachment

button direction

button

Schematics

controller_steckplatine_686Ez5xH1d.png

Code

Game Controller

Credits

matthias

Comments

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