🐍 SnakeBoy – An Arduino-Powered Snake Game Console

A handheld, retro-inspired Snake game console built with Arduino and open-source hardware. SnakeBoy combines embedded programming, hardware optimization, and mechanical design into an accessible and highly optimized gaming device.

Developed as part of the Creative Electronics course in the Electronics Engineering program at the University of Málaga.

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📋 Overview

SnakeBoy is a handheld console featuring the classic Snake game displayed on a 32×8 LED matrix. Built around an Arduino Leonardo-compatible board (Save Maker I), this project demonstrates practical embedded systems design with real-time gameplay, persistent high score storage, and optimized resource utilization.

🎯 Design Goals

• Demonstrate embedded programming and hardware optimization techniques
• Create a fully functional gaming device using accessible components
• Utilize open-source tools and methodologies
• Achieve minimal resource footprint (<15 KB Flash, ~2. 5 KB RAM)

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🕹️ Key Features

• Real-time Gameplay: Responsive joystick and directional button controls
• Audio Feedback: 6 distinct melodies via PWM buzzer
• Persistent Storage: High scores saved in EEPROM memory
• Efficient Architecture: State-machine-driven game logic with zero blocking delays
• Compact Footprint: <15 KB Flash / ~2.5 KB RAM usage — highly optimized
• Custom Graphics: 7×5 pixel font and smooth menu animations
• Custom Enclosure: 3D-printed case with precision-engineered component cutouts
• Status Indicator: Visual feedback LED for game states
• USB Powered: Connected operation via 5V/1A USB power supply

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📦 Hardware Specifications

Core Components

Component	Specification
Microcontroller	Save Maker I (Arduino Leonardo-compatible)
Display	4× cascaded MAX7219 8×8 LED matrices (32×8 total resolution)
Input: Analog	PS4-style analog joystick with integrated L3 push button
Input: Digital	4× tactile push buttons (Up, Down, Left, Right)
Audio Output	Passive buzzer with PWM modulation
Visual Indicator	Red 5mm status LED
Power Supply	External 5V/1A USB power supply (wired connection)

Important Notes

⚠️ LED Matrix Power: The LED matrix must be powered externally via 5V with a shared ground connection to prevent flickering and signal instability.

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🔧 Pinout Configuration

Component	Arduino Pin	Function
MAX7219 Data	D13	Serial data input
MAX7219 Clock	D11	Clock signal
MAX7219 Load	D10	Latch/load signal
Buzzer	D12	PWM audio output
Status LED	D7	Visual state indicator
Joystick X-Axis	A0	Analog X input
Joystick Y-Axis	A1	Analog Y input
Joystick Button (L3)	D9	Push button input
Up Button	D8	Directional input
Down Button	D4	Directional input
Left Button	D5	Directional input
Right Button	D6	Directional input

Note: All digital buttons utilize the internal INPUT_PULLUP feature, eliminating the need for external pull-up resistors.

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📁 Repository Structure

SnakeBoy-Arduino-Game/
├── arduino/
│   └── main/
│   │   ├── snake. cpp           # Main game logic and state machine
│   │   ├── display.cpp         # LED matrix driver and rendering
│   │   ├── inputs.cpp          # Joystick and button input handling
│   │   ├── sound.cpp           # Audio synthesis and melody management
│   │   ├── led. cpp             # Status LED control
│   │   └── config.h            # Hardware configuration and pin mappings
│   └── test/
│   │   └── test_display.txt
│   │   └── test_input.txt
│   │   └── test_led_buzzer.txt
├── 3D printer/
│   ├── case/               # OpenSCAD 3D models (parametric design)
│   │   ├── front_panel.scad
│   │   ├── back_panel.scad
│   │   └── button. scad
│   │   └── button. scad
│   │   └── button. scad
├── diagrams/           # Wiring and schematic diagrams
├── README.md               # This file
└── LICENSE                 # CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 License

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🛠️ Getting Started

Prerequisites

• Arduino IDE 1.8.0 or later
• Arduino Leonardo board or compatible (Save Maker I)
• MAX7219 LED matrix module (32×8)
• Joystick and push buttons
• Buzzer and status LED
• 5V/1A USB power supply

Installation

1. Clone the repository

   git clone https://github.com/Hamza1803/SnakeBoy-Arduino-Game. git

2. Install dependencies

   • Download the LedControl library in Arduino IDE: Sketch → Include Library → Manage Libraries → Search "LedControl"
   • Download the MD_MAX72XX library in Arduino IDE: Sketch → Include Library → Manage Libraries → Search "MD_MAX72XX"

3. Configure hardware

   • Review config.h and verify pin mappings match your setup
   • Ensure external 5V power is connected to the LED matrix

4. Upload firmware

   • Connect your Arduino Leonardo board via USB
   • Open snake.cpp in Arduino IDE
   • Select Board: Arduino Leonardo
   • Click Upload

5. Connect power

   • Connect the 5V/1A USB power supply to the designated connector
   • The device should power on automatically

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🎮 Gameplay Instructions

• Move: Use joystick or directional buttons (Up, Down, Left, Right)
• Start Game: Press any button or move joystick
• Pause: Press L3 button (joystick button)
• Game Over: Collision with wall or self triggers game over
• High Score: Automatically saved to EEPROM

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👥 Contributors

Project Team:

• Hamza Lotfi
• Andreea Simion

Educational Institution: Degree in Electronic Systems Engineering University of Málaga, School of Telecommunications

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📖 Additional Resources

• Full Tutorial: SnakeBoy – An Arduino-Powered Snake Game Console on Instructables
• MAX7219 Datasheet: Available from component suppliers
• Video Full Game : https://youtu.be/4og9s7oPVPE

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⚖️ License

This project is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) license.

You are free to:

• Share and adapt the material
• Use for educational purposes

Under the terms that you:

• Provide attribution to the original creators
• Do not use commercially
• Share derivative works under the same license

For complete license details, see the LICENSE file or visit creativecommons.org.

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🐛 Troubleshooting

LED Matrix not displaying

• Verify external 5V power is connected with shared ground
• Check MAX7219 pin connections (DATA, CLK, LOAD)
• Test with the LedControl example sketch

Joystick not responding

• Calibrate analog input in inputs.cpp
• Verify A0 and A1 connections
• Check for loose wiring

Sound not working

• Verify buzzer polarity and D12 connection
• Check that sound.cpp is compiled

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