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 — 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!

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 with PCB, enclosure, buttons, and storage bag
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...
Out of Stock
Angled shot of Adafruit PyGamer for MakeCode Arcade, CircuitPython or Arduino.
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...
Out of Stock
Angled shot of a Adafruit PyBadge for MakeCode Arcade, CircuitPython, or Arduino.
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...
$34.95
In Stock
Angled Shot of Adafruit PyBadge - Low Cost.
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...
Out of Stock

This guide was first published on Jun 15, 2019. It was last updated on Mar 08, 2024.

This page (Overview) was last updated on Mar 08, 2024.

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