CircuitPython Usage
To use the game, you need to update code.py with the game program to the CIRCUITPY drive.
Thankfully, we can do this in one go. In the example below, click the Download Project Bundle button below to download the necessary libraries and the code.py file in a zip file.
Connect your board to your computer via a known good data+power USB cable. The board should show up in your File Explorer/Finder (depending on your operating system) as a flash drive named CIRCUITPY.
Extract the contents of the zip file, copy the lib directory files to CIRCUITPY/lib. Copy the code.py file to your CIRCUITPY drive. The program should self start.
# SPDX-FileCopyrightText: 2025 Anne Barela for Adafruit Industries
#
# SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
#
# Breakout
# Original https://github.com/davepl/Grok3-Breakout by Grok3
# Converted to CircuitPython by GitHub Copilot 2/20/2025
# Further improved with keyboard controls via serial input, sound
# with Claude Sonnet 3.7
import sys
import time
import random
import board
import displayio
import supervisor
from adafruit_display_shapes.rect import Rect
from adafruit_display_shapes.circle import Circle
from adafruit_display_text import label
import terminalio
import picodvi
import framebufferio
import neopixel
import pwmio
displayio.release_displays() # Ensure there are no active displays
# Initialize status LED
leds = neopixel.NeoPixel(board.NEOPIXEL, 1, brightness=0.4)
leds.fill((0, 40, 0)) # Initial status: green
# Initialize piezo speaker, connect piezo D23 to ground
try:
piezo = pwmio.PWMOut(board.D23, frequency=440, duty_cycle=0,
variable_frequency=True)
except Exception as e: # pylint: disable=broad-except
print("Piezo initialization error:", e)
piezo = None
# Sound effect functions
def play_tone(frequency, duration):
"""Play a tone at the specified frequency for the specified duration"""
if piezo is None:
return
piezo.frequency = frequency
piezo.duty_cycle = 32767 # 50% duty cycle
time.sleep(duration)
piezo.duty_cycle = 0
def play_paddle_hit():
"""Sound for ball hitting paddle"""
if piezo is None:
return
play_tone(440, 0.05) # A4, short duration
def play_wall_hit():
"""Sound for ball hitting wall"""
if piezo is None:
return
play_tone(330, 0.03) # E4, very short
def play_brick_hit():
"""Sound for ball hitting brick"""
if piezo is None:
return
play_tone(660, 0.05) # E5, short
def play_game_over():
"""Sound for game over"""
if piezo is None:
return
# Descending tone
for i in range(5):
play_tone(330 - i*30, 0.1)
def play_level_win():
"""Sound for winning the level"""
if piezo is None:
return
# Victory fanfare
sequence = [440, 440, 440, 587, 440, 587, 659]
durations = [0.1, 0.1, 0.1, 0.3, 0.1, 0.1, 0.4]
for freq, dur in zip(sequence, durations):
play_tone(freq, dur)
time.sleep(0.01) # Small gap between notes
def play_life_lost():
"""Sound for losing a life"""
if piezo is None:
return
play_tone(220, 0.1)
time.sleep(0.05)
play_tone(196, 0.2)
def play_game_start():
"""Sound for game start"""
if piezo is None:
return
play_tone(440, 0.1)
time.sleep(0.05)
play_tone(554, 0.1)
time.sleep(0.05)
play_tone(659, 0.2)
# Initialize display
try:
fb = picodvi.Framebuffer(
320, 240,
clk_dp=board.CKP, clk_dn=board.CKN,
red_dp=board.D0P, red_dn=board.D0N,
green_dp=board.D1P, green_dn=board.D1N,
blue_dp=board.D2P, blue_dn=board.D2N,
color_depth=8
)
except ValueError as e:
print("Error: ", e)
# Per picodvi/Framebuffer_RP2350.c only 320x240 at 8 & 16 bits work
leds.fill((255, 0, 0)) # Error status: red
sys.exit(e)
display = framebufferio.FramebufferDisplay(fb)
# Game constants
PADDLE_WIDTH = 40
PADDLE_HEIGHT = 5
BALL_RADIUS = 2
BRICK_ROWS = 5
BRICK_COLS = 10
BRICK_WIDTH = 30
BRICK_HEIGHT = 10
BRICK_GAP = 2
PADDLE_SPEED = 6.0 # Change to make paddle speed up or slow down
BALL_SPEED_INITIAL = 2.75 # Change initial ball speed
BRICK_COLORS = [0xFF4136, 0xFF851B, 0xFFDC00, 0x2ECC40, 0x0074D9]
DISPLAY_LINE = 20 # Score is on the bottom of the display 20 px tall
# Game state
game_active = False
game_over = False
brick_count = BRICK_ROWS * BRICK_COLS
# Keyboard input state
key_left_pressed = False
key_right_pressed = False
key_space_pressed = False
space_key_released = True # Track space key release to prevent multiple actions
# Track paddle position with float for smoother movement
paddle_pos_x = 0.0
def check_keys():
"""
Check for keyboard input via supervisor.runtime.serial_bytes_available
Returns tuple of (left_pressed, right_pressed, space_pressed, any_input)
"""
l_pressed = False
r_pressed = False
s_pressed = False
any_key = False
# Check if serial data is available
if supervisor.runtime.serial_bytes_available:
any_key = True
try:
key = sys.stdin.read(1)
if key in ('a', 'A'): # Left movement
l_pressed = True
elif key in ('d', 'D'): # Right movement
r_pressed = True
elif key == ' ': # Space for start/launch
s_pressed = True
except Exception as e: # pylint: disable=broad-except
print("Input error:", e)
return (l_pressed, r_pressed, s_pressed, any_key)
# pylint: disable=redefined-outer-name
def create_game_elements():
"""Create and return all game display elements"""
game_group = displayio.Group()
# Paddle
paddle = Rect(
(display.width - PADDLE_WIDTH) // 2,
display.height - PADDLE_HEIGHT - DISPLAY_LINE,
PADDLE_WIDTH,
PADDLE_HEIGHT,
fill=0x00FFFF
)
game_group.append(paddle)
# Ball
ball = Circle(
display.width // 2,
display.height - PADDLE_HEIGHT - DISPLAY_LINE - BALL_RADIUS * 3,
BALL_RADIUS,
fill=0xFFFFFF
)
game_group.append(ball)
# Bricks
bricks = []
for row in range(BRICK_ROWS):
for col in range(BRICK_COLS):
# Calculate brick position with appropriate spacing
brick_x = col * (BRICK_WIDTH + BRICK_GAP) + \
(display.width - (BRICK_COLS * (BRICK_WIDTH + BRICK_GAP)
- BRICK_GAP)) // 2
brick_y = row * (BRICK_HEIGHT + BRICK_GAP) + 30 # Start a bit down from top
brick = Rect(
brick_x,
brick_y,
BRICK_WIDTH,
BRICK_HEIGHT,
fill=BRICK_COLORS[row % len(BRICK_COLORS)]
)
bricks.append(brick)
game_group.append(brick)
# Score and lives
score_label = label.Label(
terminalio.FONT,
text="Score: 0",
color=0xFFFFFF,
x=5,
y=display.height - 10
)
lives_label = label.Label(
terminalio.FONT,
text="Lives: 3",
color=0xFFFFFF,
x=display.width - 60,
y=display.height - 10
)
game_group.append(score_label)
game_group.append(lives_label)
# Controls info
controls_label = label.Label(
terminalio.FONT,
text="A: Left D: Right",
color=0xFFFFFF,
x=10,
y=display.height - 30
)
game_group.append(controls_label)
# Start/game over message
message_label = label.Label(
terminalio.FONT,
text="Press SPACE to begin",
color=0xFFFFFF,
x=(display.width - 130) // 2,
y=display.height // 2
)
game_group.append(message_label)
return (game_group, paddle, ball, bricks, score_label,
lives_label, message_label, controls_label)
# Create initial game elements
main_group, paddle, ball, bricks, score_label, lives_label, message_label, \
controls_label = create_game_elements()
display.root_group = main_group
# Game variables
score = 0
lives = 3
ball_dx = 0.0
ball_dy = 0.0
ball_speed = BALL_SPEED_INITIAL
last_hit_brick = None
# Track actual ball position with floats
ball_pos_x = float(ball.x)
ball_pos_y = float(ball.y)
# Initialize paddle position tracking
paddle_pos_x = float((display.width - PADDLE_WIDTH) // 2)
def reset_ball():
"""Reset the ball position and set it initially stationary"""
global ball_dx, ball_dy, ball_pos_x, ball_pos_y # pylint: disable=global-statement
ball_pos_x = float(display.width // 2)
ball_pos_y = float(display.height - PADDLE_HEIGHT - DISPLAY_LINE - BALL_RADIUS * 3)
ball.x = int(ball_pos_x)
ball.y = int(ball_pos_y)
ball_dx = 0
ball_dy = 0
def launch_ball():
"""Launch the ball in a random upward direction"""
global ball_dx, ball_dy, ball_speed # pylint: disable=global-statement
ball_speed = BALL_SPEED_INITIAL
angle = random.uniform(0.5, 0.8) # Launch at angle between 45-65 degrees
ball_dx = ball_speed * random.choice([-angle, angle])
# Ensure consistent speed
ball_dy = -ball_speed * (1 - abs(ball_dx/ball_speed))
controls_label.hidden = True
def update_message(text):
"""Update the message text"""
message_label.text = text
# Center text (approximate width)
message_label.x = (display.width - len(text) * 6) // 2
# Game loop
reset_ball()
# Track last collision for sound effect throttling
last_wall_hit_time = 0
sound_cooldown = 0.05 # Minimum time between similar sound effects
# Play startup sound
play_game_start()
while True:
current_time = time.monotonic()
# Check keyboard input
left_pressed, right_pressed, space_pressed, any_input = check_keys()
# Apply paddle movement ONLY if keys are currently pressed
if left_pressed and paddle_pos_x > 0:
paddle_pos_x -= PADDLE_SPEED
# Ensure paddle doesn't go offscreen
if paddle_pos_x < 0:
paddle_pos_x = 0
if right_pressed and paddle_pos_x < display.width - PADDLE_WIDTH:
paddle_pos_x += PADDLE_SPEED
# Ensure paddle doesn't go offscreen
if paddle_pos_x > display.width - PADDLE_WIDTH:
paddle_pos_x = display.width - PADDLE_WIDTH
# Update paddle position with integer conversion
paddle.x = int(paddle_pos_x)
# Handle space bar for start/launch with debouncing
if space_pressed and space_key_released:
space_key_released = False # Prevent multiple triggers until released
if game_over:
# Reset everything for a new game
(main_group, paddle, ball, bricks, score_label,
lives_label, message_label, controls_label) = create_game_elements()
display.root_group = main_group
score = 0
lives = 3
brick_count = BRICK_ROWS * BRICK_COLS
game_over = False
reset_ball()
update_message("")
# Reset paddle position tracker
paddle_pos_x = float((display.width - PADDLE_WIDTH) // 2)
# Play restart sound
play_game_start()
if not game_active and not game_over:
game_active = True
launch_ball()
update_message("")
# Play ball launch sound
play_tone(587, 0.1) # D5, short
# Reset space key released state if no key is pressed
if not space_pressed:
space_key_released = True
# Handle game logic when active
if game_active and not game_over:
# Update ball position (using float variables first)
ball_pos_x += ball_dx
ball_pos_y += ball_dy
# Update the actual ball object with integer positions
ball.x = int(ball_pos_x)
ball.y = int(ball_pos_y)
# Ball collision with walls with sound
wall_hit = False
if ball_pos_x - BALL_RADIUS <= 0:
ball_pos_x = BALL_RADIUS + 1 # Prevent sticking to wall
ball_dx = abs(ball_dx) # Move right
wall_hit = True
elif ball_pos_x + BALL_RADIUS >= display.width:
ball_pos_x = display.width - BALL_RADIUS - 1 # Prevent sticking to wall
ball_dx = -abs(ball_dx) # Move left
wall_hit = True
if ball_pos_y - BALL_RADIUS <= 0:
ball_pos_y = BALL_RADIUS + 1 # Prevent sticking to wall
ball_dy = abs(ball_dy) # Move down
wall_hit = True
# Play wall hit sound with cooldown to prevent sound overlap
if wall_hit and current_time - last_wall_hit_time > sound_cooldown:
play_wall_hit()
last_wall_hit_time = current_time
# Ball fell below paddle
if ball_pos_y + BALL_RADIUS > display.height - DISPLAY_LINE:
lives -= 1
lives_label.text = f"Lives: {lives}"
# Play life lost sound
play_life_lost()
if lives <= 0:
game_active = False
game_over = True
update_message("GAME OVER - Press SPACE to play again")
# Play game over sound
play_game_over()
else:
reset_ball()
game_active = False
update_message("Press SPACE to continue")
# Ball collision with paddle
paddle_collision = (
ball_pos_y + BALL_RADIUS >= paddle.y and
ball_pos_y - BALL_RADIUS <= paddle.y + PADDLE_HEIGHT and
ball_pos_x + BALL_RADIUS >= paddle.x and
ball_pos_x - BALL_RADIUS <= paddle.x + PADDLE_WIDTH
)
if paddle_collision:
# Determine bounce angle based on where ball hit paddle
# Center of paddle gives straight bounce, edges give angled bounce
hit_position = (ball_pos_x - paddle.x) / PADDLE_WIDTH
angle_factor = 2 * (hit_position - 0.5) # -1 to 1 based on position
# Set new ball direction with slight speed increase
ball_speed = min(ball_speed * 1.05, 4.5) # Speed up slightly, max at 4.5
ball_dx = ball_speed * angle_factor
# Ensure upward movement
ball_dy = -ball_speed * (1 - 0.8 * abs(angle_factor))
# Ensure ball is above paddle (prevent sticking)
ball_pos_y = paddle.y - BALL_RADIUS - 1
ball.y = int(ball_pos_y)
# Play paddle hit sound
play_paddle_hit()
# Ball collision with bricks
for brick in bricks:
brick_collision = (
brick in main_group and
brick.x <= ball_pos_x + BALL_RADIUS and
brick.x + BRICK_WIDTH >= ball_pos_x - BALL_RADIUS and
brick.y <= ball_pos_y + BALL_RADIUS and
brick.y + BRICK_HEIGHT >= ball_pos_y - BALL_RADIUS
)
if brick_collision:
# Skip if this is the same brick we just hit (prevent double hits)
if brick == last_hit_brick:
continue
last_hit_brick = brick
main_group.remove(brick)
brick_count -= 1
# Determine which side of the brick was hit
dx1 = ball_pos_x - brick.x # Distance from left edge
dx2 = brick.x + BRICK_WIDTH - ball_pos_x # Distance from right edge
dy1 = ball_pos_y - brick.y # Distance from top edge
dy2 = brick.y + BRICK_HEIGHT - ball_pos_y # Distance from bottom edge
# Find the minimum distance
min_dist = min(dx1, dx2, dy1, dy2)
# Bounce based on which side was hit
if min_dist in (dy1, dy2): # Top or bottom hit
ball_dy = -ball_dy
else: # Left or right hit
ball_dx = -ball_dx
# Update score
score += 10
score_label.text = f"Score: {score}"
# Play brick hit sound
play_brick_hit()
# Check win condition
if brick_count <= 0:
game_active = False
game_over = True
update_message("YOU WIN! Press SPACE to play again")
# Play victory sound
play_level_win()
# Only process one brick collision per frame
break
# Reset last_hit_brick if we're not touching it anymore
if last_hit_brick:
still_touching = (
last_hit_brick.x <= ball_pos_x + BALL_RADIUS and
last_hit_brick.x + BRICK_WIDTH >= ball_pos_x - BALL_RADIUS and
last_hit_brick.y <= ball_pos_y + BALL_RADIUS and
last_hit_brick.y + BRICK_HEIGHT >= ball_pos_y - BALL_RADIUS
)
if not still_touching:
last_hit_brick = None
elif not game_active and not game_over:
# Ball sticks to paddle when not active
ball.x = paddle.x + PADDLE_WIDTH // 2
ball_pos_x = float(ball.x)
# Refresh display
display.refresh()
time.sleep(0.016) # ~60fps
Code Principles
USB Host Input
USB Host is relatively new to CircuitPython, first coming on Raspberry Pi RP2040-based boards.
Typically, one would access a USB port by:
- Establishing the USB connection
- Reading USB Reports, sections of bytes sent when an action occurs on the peripheral like a key is pressed or joystick moved.
- Parsing the reports and providing meaningful input to the program.
Python has the concept of standard input and output streams, similar to those in Linux/Unix and other operating systems. CircuitPython has this capability and through a lot of behind the scenes code, presents a USB keyboard as a stdin input device. The code to get USB Host Keyboard characters and echo them to serial out is as follows:
import supervisorimport sys
while True: available = supervisor.runtime.serial_bytes_available if available: c = sys.stdin.read(available) print(c, end='')
While not every key on the keyboard has a single character representation, for simple gameplay this works very well! Using the gaming standard WASD keys for movement and the spacebar for Start is easily done and what is used in this project.
Video Output
Video for this project is output via the Raspberry Pi HSTX peripheral. CircuitPython has the picodvi library which can set up the DVI graphics as a standard CircuitPython framebuffer usable by displayio. There are only certain display resolutions and color bit depths supported at present with lower resolutions "pixel doubled" to fit higher resolution HDMI displays. All that happens behind the scenes.
Page last edited March 04, 2025
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