ArcadeSlam

Introduction
ArcadeSlam allows novice computer users assemble and program a miniature retro arcade game. The aims of the project are:
Introduce users to simple electronic assembly
Encourage users to modify and program a range of arcade games.

This project is an offshoot of the RoboSlam project which has encouraged younger people to follow careers in the Electrical/Electronic Engineering sector by helping them build simple robots.
It is hoped that ArcadeSlam will follow in the footsteps of this project using the medium of arcade gaming.

Components and suppliers

  • The CPU: Texas Instruments MSP430G2553 (pre-programmed). Supplier Radionics
  • The display: ILI9341 2.2 Inch TFT display. Supplier : dx.com
  • Breadboard. Supplier dx.com
  • 3.3 kOhm resistor trimmed to 2.5cm. Supplier: Radionics
  • 10 Ohm resistor trimmed to 2.5cm. Supplier: Radionics
  • 3 buttons. Supplier : dx.com
  • Single core of wires. Supplier : Radionics, dx.com.  Lengths as follows:

        Long = 6cm
        Medium = 4cm
        Short = 2 cm

        Wire list:

        5 x black wires short
        2 x red wires short
        1 x pink medium
        1 x green medium
        1 x yellow medium
        1 x orange medium
        1 x black wire medium
        1 x blue long
        1 x brown long
        1 x grey long
        1 x purple long
        1 x red wire long

Total cost is approximately 15 Euro

If you want to develop your own games you will need:
TI MSP430 Launchpad : Available from Radionics and other electronics suppliers
Energia Integrated Development Environment : http://energia.nu/
The original source code is available here : http://eleceng.dit.ie/frank/msp430/ArcadeSlam1.zip

Assembly instructions
Step 1

step1

Hold the breadboard so that the blue line is at the top as shown.  Insert the microcontroller as shown taking care to note that the dimple on its body is to the right as shown in the picture.  There is a gap of one column of holes on the left hand side.  You may need to bend the pins against a straight edge to allow you insert the chip.

Step 2

step2

Orange : h4 to h13
Yellow : h3 to h14
Green : i2 to i15
Pink : j5 to j17

Step 3

step3

Purple : c9 to d24
Grey : d10 to d28

Step 4
step4

Brown : c5 to f19
Blue : d6 to f16

Step 5

step5

Six black wires!
Black : a1 to blue rail just below it
Black : a11 to blue rail
Black : a26 to blue rail
Black : a30 to blue rail
Black : d1 to blue rail at the top of the board
Black : j12 to blue rail at the top of the board

Step 6

step6

Three red wires
Red : j11 to red rail at the top of the board
Red : j23 to red rail at the top of the board
Red : Aligned on column 24: connect both red rails.

Step 7

step7

Add two resistors;
3.3 kilo Ohm (Orange, Orange, Red bands) : 7b to red rail below
10 Ohm (Brown, Black, Black bands) : i18 to i23

Step 8
step8

Add three buttons: Note: The pins all go in to row b along a horizontal axis
Left button : b1 and b3
Fire button : b24 and b26
Right button : b28 and b30

Step 9
step9

Add the display.
The left hand pin of the display must go in the same column as the right most pin of the microcontroller.
Display : g11 to g19

Step 10

step10
Add batteries:
Battery black: top right hole next to blue rail
Battery red: 1 hole below top right in the red rail.

Step 11

Play!

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