The Arduboy is a wonderful little open-source, Arduino-based, pocket-sized game machine -- but what if you want to use a full-sized joystick and buttons with it? You can, and it's surprisingly easy!! 

I wanted to do this for fun, and to play the great Space Invaders-like game Picovaders. But you can also use these techniques in assistive technology to make the Arduboy accessible to people who have limited/impaired use of their thumbs for fine motor control. All sorts of buttons and switches can be substituted for the on-board controls.

Parts & Materials

Here's what you'll need to add a joystick and two buttons to the Arduboy:

You'll also want a box of some kind for your enclosure/stand. This can be a cigar box, as shown here, a cardboard box, or maybe you'll make your own design for 3D printing, laser cutting, or CNC milling!

Tools

• Wire cutters
• Wire strippers
• Small Philips screwdriver
• Soldering iron and solder
• Drill with three bits sized:
• 1-1/4" Forstner bit for buttons
• 3/8" drill bit for joystick shaft
• 5/32" drill bit for joystick screw mounts
• Two M4 screws and nuts to secure joystick
• Utility knife
• Chisel (optional for making wiring stand hole)
• Scrap wood and wood glue (optional for making Arduboy dock/stand)