# MakeCode Arcade with Raspberry Pi Zero ## What is MakeCode Arcade? ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/069/249/medium800/components_hero.png?1547258569) [Microsoft MakeCode Arcade](https://arcade.makecode.com) is a **web-based** beginner-friendly code editor to create **retro arcade games** for the web and for microcontrollers. In this guide, you will learn how to assemble your own Arcade hardware from different parts. MakeCode Arcade is [open source on GitHub](https://github.com/microsoft/pxt-arcade). #### **Arcade is for retro 2D sprite-based games**. Arcade supports a 160x120 screen with 16 colors, and has a 2D game engine with sprites, platformer-style collisions, tile maps, particle systems and more! ![components_duck.gif](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/069/271/medium640thumb/components_duck.jpg?1547298908) #### **Arcade is a web-based code editor.**   Just like the [MakeCode Circuit Playground Express](https://makecode.adafruit.com) editor, you can use blocks or JavaScript to build your program in your browser. Nothing to install - it just works! ![components_webpage.png](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/069/252/medium640/components_webpage.png?1547259575) #### **Arcade is friendly to beginners!**   Get started with building your own retro games, using the block editor and the many guides. You don't need to be a programmer to get started! ![components_freindly.png](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/069/253/medium640/components_freindly.png?1547259716) #### **Arcade is friendly to seasoned programmers too!** Switch to JavaScript and type away. MakeCode supports [**Static TypeScript**](https://makecode.com/language), a special flavor of JavaScript optimized for compilation on micro-controllers. ![components_javascript.png](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/069/254/medium640/components_javascript.png?1547259792) #### **Arcade runs on hardware (in particular SAMD51)! ** While all games can be shared and played via the web, the fun starts when you compile them for SAMD51-based boards, like the **Adafruit ItsyBitsy M4 Express**. ![components_vlcsnap-2019-01-12-05h25m38s411.png](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/069/274/medium640/components_vlcsnap-2019-01-12-05h25m38s411.png?1547299573) [Open MakeCode Arcade](https://arcade.makecode.com/) - [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/makecode-arcade-with-raspberry-pi-zero/setup.md) ## Featured Products ### Joy Bonnet Pack without Soldering - Includes Pi Zero WH [Joy Bonnet Pack without Soldering - Includes Pi Zero WH](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4085) The **Joy Bonnet Pack for Raspberry Pi Zero WH ** sets you up with the fully assembled [Pi Zero WH](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3708), and our [Joy Bonnet](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3464) ** - ** our most fun Bonnet... 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Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3272) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3272/guides) ## Related Guides - [AdaBox 005](https://learn.adafruit.com/adabox005.md) - [CNC Joy Bonnet Case](https://learn.adafruit.com/joy-bonnet-case.md) - [NES Cart RetroPie Game Console](https://learn.adafruit.com/nes-cart-retropie.md) - [Adafruit Joy Bonnet for Raspberry Pi](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-joy-bonnet-for-raspberry-pi.md) - [Retro Gaming with Raspberry Pi](https://learn.adafruit.com/retro-gaming-with-raspberry-pi.md) - [Haunted Portrait](https://learn.adafruit.com/haunted-portrait.md) - [CPX Mystery Dreidel](https://learn.adafruit.com/cpx-mystery-dreidel.md) - [Boomy Pi Airplay Boombox](https://learn.adafruit.com/boomy-pi-airplay.md) - [Halloween Sentry-Bot with CRICKIT for CPX](https://learn.adafruit.com/halloween-sentry-bot.md) - [Feather Guitar Hero Adapter](https://learn.adafruit.com/feather-guitar-hero-adapter.md) - [Basic Resistor Sensor Reading on Raspberry Pi](https://learn.adafruit.com/basic-resistor-sensor-reading-on-raspberry-pi.md) - [Plush Game Controller](https://learn.adafruit.com/plush-game-controller.md) - [New Year Countdown Clock with Circuit Playground Express](https://learn.adafruit.com/new-year-countdown-clock-with-circuit-playground-express.md) - [MakeCode Arcade with SAMD51 M4](https://learn.adafruit.com/makecode-arcade-with-samd51-m4.md) - [Arduboy Game Controller Hack](https://learn.adafruit.com/arduboy-game-controller.md)