# Custom Controllers for MakeCode Arcade ## Overview [MakeCode Arcade](https://arcade.makecode.com) is a retro-gaming code editor to build cute 2D 1980's looking games. Arcade is well know here in Adafruit as it allows anyone to create games for the [pyBadge](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4200) or [pyGamer](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4242). In this guide, we'll focus on a different approach: building custom controllers to play Aracde games in the browser. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/082/720/medium800thumb/microcontrollers_m.jpg?1571700115) ## Parts You can choose from a number of microcontrollers supported in Microsoft MakeCode for Circuit Playground Express or MakeCode Maker. The Adafruit Circuit Playground Express has all kinds of sensors, buttons, and capacitive touch pads to make keypresses. But even the Adafruit Feather Express or Trinket M0 can be used in MakeCode Maker. Tailor your needs to the boards available or have on hand. ### Microcontrollers ### Circuit Playground Express [Circuit Playground Express](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333) **Circuit Playground Express** is the next step towards a perfect introduction to electronics and programming. We've taken the original Circuit Playground Classic and made it even better! Not only did we pack even more sensors in, we also made it even easier to... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3333/guides) ![A Black woman's manicured hand holds a round microcontroller with lit up LEDs.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/3333-05.jpg) ### Adafruit Feather M0 Express [Adafruit Feather M0 Express](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3403) At the Feather M0's heart is an ATSAMD21G18 ARM Cortex M0+ processor, clocked at 48 MHz and at 3.3V logic, the same one used in the new [Arduino Zero](https://www.adafruit.com/products/2843). This chip has a whopping 256K of FLASH (8x more than the Atmega328 or 32u4) and... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3403) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3403/guides) ![Angled shot of rectangular microcontroller.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/3403-04.jpg) ### Adafruit Trinket M0 - for use with CircuitPython & Arduino IDE [Adafruit Trinket M0 - for use with CircuitPython & Arduino IDE](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3500) The Adafruit Trinket M0 may be small, but do not be fooled by its size! It's a tiny microcontroller board, built around the Atmel ATSAMD21, a little chip with _a lot_ of power. We wanted to design a microcontroller board that was small enough to fit into any project, and low... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3500) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3500/guides) ![Manicured hand holding Trinket M0.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/3500-04.jpg) ## Switches Adafruit carries a huge array of switches, including arcade buttons. You can use alligator clips or wires to connect them to your microcontroller. Here are just two of the dozens of products you can choose from on [adafruit.com](https://www.adafruit.com/). ### Arcade Button - 30mm Translucent Clear [Arcade Button - 30mm Translucent Clear](https://www.adafruit.com/product/471) A button is a button, and a switch is a switch, but these translucent arcade buttons are in a class of their own. They're the same size as common arcade controls (often referred to as 30mm diameter) but have some nice things going for them that justify the extra dollar. First,... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/471) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/471/guides) ![Angled shot of a clear round 30mm arcade button. ](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/471-00.jpg) ## USB Cable Do get a known good USB cable. An extra long, bendy one like the purple one below work exceptionally well. - [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/custom-controllers-for-makecode-arcade/everything-is-a-keyboard.md) ## Featured Products ### Circuit Playground Express [Circuit Playground Express](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333) **Circuit Playground Express** is the next step towards a perfect introduction to electronics and programming. We've taken the original Circuit Playground Classic and made it even better! Not only did we pack even more sensors in, we also made it even easier to... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3333/guides) ### Adafruit Feather M0 Express [Adafruit Feather M0 Express](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3403) At the Feather M0's heart is an ATSAMD21G18 ARM Cortex M0+ processor, clocked at 48 MHz and at 3.3V logic, the same one used in the new [Arduino Zero](https://www.adafruit.com/products/2843). This chip has a whopping 256K of FLASH (8x more than the Atmega328 or 32u4) and... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3403) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3403/guides) ### Adafruit Trinket M0 - for use with CircuitPython & Arduino IDE [Adafruit Trinket M0 - for use with CircuitPython & Arduino IDE](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3500) The Adafruit Trinket M0 may be small, but do not be fooled by its size! It's a tiny microcontroller board, built around the Atmel ATSAMD21, a little chip with _a lot_ of power. We wanted to design a microcontroller board that was small enough to fit into any project, and low... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3500) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3500/guides) ### Pink and Purple Braided USB A to Micro B Cable - 2 meter long [Pink and Purple Braided USB A to Micro B Cable - 2 meter long](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4148) This cable is super-fashionable with a woven pink and purple Blinka-like pattern! First let's talk about the cover and over-molding. We got these in custom colors, and if you _have_ to have visible cables, then you might as well have the nicest fabric-bound... No Longer Stocked [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4148) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4148/guides) ### USB cable - USB A to Micro-B [USB cable - USB A to Micro-B](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592) This here is your standard A to micro-B USB cable, for USB 1.1 or 2.0. Perfect for connecting a PC to your Metro, Feather, Raspberry Pi or other dev-board or microcontroller Approximately 3 feet / 1 meter long In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/592/guides) ### Arcade Button - 30mm Translucent Clear [Arcade Button - 30mm Translucent Clear](https://www.adafruit.com/product/471) A button is a button, and a switch is a switch, but these translucent arcade buttons are in a class of their own. They're the same size as common arcade controls (often referred to as 30mm diameter) but have some nice things going for them that justify the extra dollar. First,... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/471) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/471/guides) ### Small Alligator Clip Test Lead (set of 12) [Small Alligator Clip Test Lead (set of 12)](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1008) Connect this to that without soldering using these handy mini alligator clip test leads. 15" cables with alligator clip on each end, color coded. You get 12 pieces in 6 colors. Strong and grippy, these always come in handy! We often use these in conjunction with a multimeter so we... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1008) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1008/guides) ## Related Guides - [Adafruit Feather M0 Express](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-feather-m0-express-designed-for-circuit-python-circuitpython.md) - [Adafruit Trinket M0](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-trinket-m0-circuitpython-arduino.md) - [Adafruit Circuit Playground Express](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-circuit-playground-express.md) - [Mystery Box: The Freefall Deck](https://learn.adafruit.com/mystery-box-freefall-deck.md) - [Steven Universe Wearable, Fusable Gem](https://learn.adafruit.com/steven-universe-wearable-fusable-gem.md) - [Robotic Creatures ](https://learn.adafruit.com/robotic-creatures.md) - [Living Starry Night Painting](https://learn.adafruit.com/animated-starry-night-circuit-playground-express.md) - [LEGO Compatible Crickit Rover](https://learn.adafruit.com/lego-compatible-crickit-rover.md) - [Sparkle Skirt Playground](https://learn.adafruit.com/sparkle-skirt-playground.md) - [Esenciales para CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/esenciales-para-circuitpython.md) - [Distance Measurement with Ultrasound](https://learn.adafruit.com/distance-measurement-ultrasound-hcsr04.md) - [Meeting Time Keeper Stick](https://learn.adafruit.com/meeting-time-keeper-stick-with-cpx.md) - [Circuit Playground Simple Simon](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuit-playground-simple-simon.md) - [Make It Glow - Your First NeoPixel Project](https://learn.adafruit.com/make-it-glow-your-first-neopixel-project.md) - [Kaleidoscope Eyes (Trinket-Powered NeoPixel LED Ring Goggles)](https://learn.adafruit.com/kaleidoscope-eyes-neopixel-led-goggles-trinket-gemma.md) - [Cartoon Network and Make Code - Rose Quartz Shield Umbrella](https://learn.adafruit.com/cartoon-network-and-make-code-rose-quartz-shield-umbrella.md) - [Data Logging with Feather and CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/data-logging-with-feather-and-circuitpython.md) - [Making oscilloscope images with DACs](https://learn.adafruit.com/dac-oscilloscope-images.md)