Pocket Pixel

Have you ever wanted to build your handheld console like the Game Boy, using simple components like an Arduino and an OLED screen? I did too — and that’s exactly what this project is all about!

A compact gaming console that fits in your pocket, powered by an Arduino Nano, an OLED display, and pure love for retro gaming. A compact gaming console that fits in your pocket, powered by an Arduino Nano, an OLED display, and pure love for retro gaming.

💡 Inspiration

This project was inspired by the simplicity of early handheld consoles and projects like Arduboy. I wanted to create something:

• Easy to build
• Fun to play
• With multiple mini-games and a working menu system

Whether you're just starting with Arduino or love nostalgia, this is a fun weekend build!

It features:

• A startup animation with sound
• A clean game selection menu
• Multiple built-in games:Dino Run – Jump over cacti, just like the Chrome game!Flappy Bird – Tap to flap and avoid pipesStar Wars – Shoot the enemy planet while dodging asteroids.AsteroidShooter – Shoot the asteroids falling from the top.
• High scores saved using EEPROM
• Restart and exit features for each game

🧠 How It Works

On boot:

• A custom splash screen and tone are shown
• The player can navigate a menu system using five buttons
• Once a game is selected, it loads instantly with bitmap graphics drawn via the U8glib library
• Button inputs control the character, and game logic handles score, collisions, and difficulty
• EEPROM saves your best scores so you don’t lose them after a reset!

Try It Online

You can simulate this build online using Wowki.

Note: EEPROM and sound may behave slightly differently in simulation.