We have a few very similar boards in the PyGamer/PyBadge family - you may wonder which one you want! Well here will will outline it for you.
Basically, PyGamer has the most stuff and is more expensive. PyBadge is in the middle, has a lot of stuff, and PyBadge LC is low cost, very minimal!
Similarities
- All the boards use the SAMD51 microcontroller, which runs at 120MHz (but we often overclock to 200MHz)
- All the boards have onboard QSPI storage of some size
- All the boards have a display
- All the boards have an on/off switch and reset button
- All the boards can run Arduino, CircuitPython and Microsoft MakeCode Arcade
- All have some way to control direction (X & Y) as well as 4 buttons
- All have at least one NeoPixel
- All have a light sensor
Differences between PyGamer and PyBadge/PyBadge LC
- PyGamer has an Analog Joystick instead of PyBadge's 4x D-Pad buttons, which makes it easier to use for gaming
- PyGamer has a stereo headphone jack - the PyBadges do not
-
PyGamer has a connector for a loud speaker but does not have a simple buzzer built in (we expect you to use the nicer loud speaker or headphone jack)
- PyGamer has an SD card slot - the PyBadges do not
- PyGamer has an 8 MB QSPI Flash chip - the PyBadges have the smaller 2MB
Differences between PyBadge & PyBadge LC
- PyBadge LC does not have a connector for a loudspeaker, both have a simple buzzer.
- PyBadge LC does not have a Feather Header set on the back
- PyBadge LC does not have STEMMA connectors for quick hardware addition
- PyBadge LC does not have an accelerometer
Feature |
PyGamer |
PyBadge |
PyBadge LC |
Processor |
SAMD51J19 |
SAMD51J19 |
SAMD51J19 |
FLASH/RAM |
512KB / 192KB |
512KB / 192KB |
512KB / 192KB |
QSPI FLASH |
8MB |
2MB |
2MB |
On/Off & Reset Switches |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
LiPoly Battery Charging |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
X & Y Controls |
Analog Thumbstick |
4 Button D-Pad |
4 Button D-Pad |
A / B / Select / Start |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Built-in buzzer/beeper |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Connection for Speaker |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Stereo Headphone Jack |
Yes |
No |
No |
Display |
160x128 Color TFT |
160x128 Color TFT |
160x128 Color TFT |
NeoPixels |
5 |
5 |
1 |
Micro-SD Card |
Yes |
No |
No |
Light Sensor |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Accelerometer |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
FeatherWing Headers |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
STEMMA Connectors |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
