# JOY of Arcada — USB Game Pad for Adafruit PyGamer and PyBadge ## Overview ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/077/082/medium800thumb/gaming_pybadge-blink.jpg?1560570724) Surely you’ve played some little **games**  right on your **PyGamer** or **PyBadge** — perhaps using  **CircuitPython** or Microsoft **MakeCode**. But did you know…you can also use PyGamer or PyBadge as a **USB game controller** with your regular computer or with popular emulators on Raspberry Pi! Not just _any_ game controller though. With that little screen, why not give it some _personality?_ So we made a little animated friend and named her **JOY**. Joy’s eyes blink and follow the joystick, and she makes an occasional encouraging “pew pew!” as buttons are pressed. This is a new take on an earlier project — [JOY Controller for Adafruit Feather](https://learn.adafruit.com/joy-controller-feather) — which required soldering and 3D printing. Now that we have these all-in-one devices like PyGamer, it’s much easier to get something going! ![gaming_original-joy.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/077/069/medium640/gaming_original-joy.jpg?1560561241) JOY will watch and cheer you on as you play, but doesn't _have to be_ a game controller. She can control all manner of software or media such as YouTube, Photoshop, Premiere, Ableton Live, etc. Anything that a USB keyboard can do, JOY can operate as well. ## Hardware You can use this project on a number of Adafruit products including the PyBadge and PyGamer lines of products.  ### Adafruit PyGamer Starter Kit [Adafruit PyGamer Starter Kit](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4277) **Please note: you may get a royal blue _or_ purple case with your starter kit (they're both lovely colors)** What fits in your pocket, is fully Open Source, and can run CircuitPython, MakeCode Arcade or Arduino games you write yourself? That's right,... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4277) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4277/guides) ![Adafruit PyGamer Starter Kit with PCB, enclosure, buttons, and storage bag](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/4277-08.jpg) ### Adafruit PyGamer for MakeCode Arcade, CircuitPython or Arduino [Adafruit PyGamer for MakeCode Arcade, CircuitPython or Arduino](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4242) What fits in your pocket, is fully Open Source, and can run CircuitPython, MakeCode Arcade or Arduino games you write yourself? That's right, it's the **Adafruit PyGamer!** We wanted to make an entry-level gaming handheld for DIY gaming, and maybe a little... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4242) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4242/guides) ![Angled shot of Adafruit PyGamer for MakeCode Arcade, CircuitPython or Arduino.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/4242-00.jpg) ### Adafruit PyBadge for MakeCode Arcade, CircuitPython, or Arduino [Adafruit PyBadge for MakeCode Arcade, CircuitPython, or Arduino](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4200) What's the size of a credit card and can run CircuitPython, MakeCode Arcade or Arduino? That's right, its the **Adafruit PyBadge!** We wanted to see how much we could cram into a ​3 3⁄8 × ​2 1⁄8 inch rounded rectangle, to make an all-in-one dev board with... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4200) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4200/guides) ![Angled shot of a Adafruit PyBadge for MakeCode Arcade, CircuitPython, or Arduino. ](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/4200-01.jpg) ### Adafruit PyBadge LC - MakeCode Arcade, CircuitPython, or Arduino [Adafruit PyBadge LC - MakeCode Arcade, CircuitPython, or Arduino](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3939) What's the size of a credit card and can run CircuitPython, MakeCode Arcade or Arduino even when you're on a budget? That's right, it's the  **Adafruit PyBadge LC!**  We wanted to see how much we could cram into a ​3 3⁄8 × ​2 1⁄8 inch... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3939) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3939/guides) ![Angled Shot of Adafruit PyBadge - Low Cost. ](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/3939-05.jpg) - [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/joy-of-arcada-usb-game-pad-for-adafruit-pygamer-pybadge/software.md) ## Featured Products ### Adafruit PyGamer Starter Kit [Adafruit PyGamer Starter Kit](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4277) **Please note: you may get a royal blue _or_ purple case with your starter kit (they're both lovely colors)** What fits in your pocket, is fully Open Source, and can run CircuitPython, MakeCode Arcade or Arduino games you write yourself? That's right,... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4277) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4277/guides) ### Adafruit PyBadge for MakeCode Arcade, CircuitPython, or Arduino [Adafruit PyBadge for MakeCode Arcade, CircuitPython, or Arduino](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4200) What's the size of a credit card and can run CircuitPython, MakeCode Arcade or Arduino? That's right, its the **Adafruit PyBadge!** We wanted to see how much we could cram into a ​3 3⁄8 × ​2 1⁄8 inch rounded rectangle, to make an all-in-one dev board with... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4200) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4200/guides) ### Adafruit PyBadge LC - MakeCode Arcade, CircuitPython, or Arduino [Adafruit PyBadge LC - MakeCode Arcade, CircuitPython, or Arduino](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3939) What's the size of a credit card and can run CircuitPython, MakeCode Arcade or Arduino even when you're on a budget? That's right, it's the  **Adafruit PyBadge LC!**  We wanted to see how much we could cram into a ​3 3⁄8 × ​2 1⁄8 inch... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3939) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3939/guides) ### Adafruit PyGamer for MakeCode Arcade, CircuitPython or Arduino [Adafruit PyGamer for MakeCode Arcade, CircuitPython or Arduino](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4242) What fits in your pocket, is fully Open Source, and can run CircuitPython, MakeCode Arcade or Arduino games you write yourself? That's right, it's the **Adafruit PyGamer!** We wanted to make an entry-level gaming handheld for DIY gaming, and maybe a little... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4242) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4242/guides) ### Adafruit PyGamer Acrylic Enclosure Kit [Adafruit PyGamer Acrylic Enclosure Kit](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4238) You've got your PyGamer, and you're ready to start jammin' on your favorite arcade games. You gaze adoringly at the charming silkscreen designed by Ada-friend PaintYourDragon. The nostalgia is palpable! Cradling the PCB in your hands, you realize there's something... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4238) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4238/guides) ### USB A/Micro Cable - 2m [USB A/Micro Cable - 2m](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2185) This is your standard USB A-Plug to Micro-USB cable. It's 2 meters long so you'll have plenty of cord to work with for those longer extensions. Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2185) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/2185/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) ### Retro Handheld Game Devices Sticker Set [Retro Handheld Game Devices Sticker Set](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4257) What was your first handheld gaming console? Do you ever wish you could go back to those long car rides as you happily button-mashed in the back seat?  Handheld game devices have come a long way since the 1979 release of the 16x16 pixel  In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4257) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4257/guides) ## Related Guides - [Adafruit PyBadge and PyBadge LC](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-pybadge.md) - [Introducing Adafruit PyGamer](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-pygamer.md) - [Re-MakeCode the Classics: Py Hunter](https://learn.adafruit.com/re-makecode-the-classics-spy-hunter.md) - [Program CircuitPython USB Devices with iPhone & iPad](https://learn.adafruit.com/use-circuitpython-devices-with-iphone-ipad.md) - [Trash Panda: The Game](https://learn.adafruit.com/trash-panda-the-game.md) - [Next Level MakeCode Arcade Games](https://learn.adafruit.com/next-level-makecode-arcade-games.md) - [Improved AMG8833 PyGamer Thermal Camera](https://learn.adafruit.com/improved-amg8833-pygamer-thermal-camera.md) - [PyGamer Marble Labyrinth in MakeCode Arcade](https://learn.adafruit.com/pygamer-marble-labyrinth-in-makecode-arcade.md) - [PyPaint Drawing Program In CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/pypaint.md) - [Saving CircuitPython Bitmaps and Screenshots](https://learn.adafruit.com/saving-bitmap-screenshots-in-circuitpython.md) - [CircuitPython Stage game library](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuitpython-stage-game-library.md) - [PyGamer NeoPixel Controller](https://learn.adafruit.com/pygamer-neopixel-controller.md) - [Arcada Animated GIF Display](https://learn.adafruit.com/pyportal-animated-gif-display.md) - [Re-MakeCode the Classics: Arkanoid](https://learn.adafruit.com/re-makecode-the-classics-arkanoid.md) - [Adafruit PCM5122 I2S DAC](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-pcm5122-i2s-dac.md) - [USB SNES Gamepad](https://learn.adafruit.com/usb-snes-gamepad.md) - [CLUE Custom CircuitPython Badge](https://learn.adafruit.com/clue-custom-circuit-python-badge.md)