Kitronik ARCADE for micro:bit & MakeCode Arcade

This product does not Include a BBC micro:bit. The BBC micro:bit can be purchased separately here.

The Kitronik ARCADE for micro:bit & MakeCode Arcade is a handheld gaming platform designed for use with the BBC micro:bit and MakeCode Arcade editor. You can create your own games or download existing ones to run on the Arcade. The MakeCode Arcade editor is a fantastic tool for learning to code games.

With easy-to-use snap-together blocks, anyone can create simple games in minutes. The user-friendly editor is perfect for both beginners and experienced game enthusiasts, with options to build games for browsers or handheld consoles. Simply drag and drop blocks to create programs, or use Javascript and Python for more advanced coding.

The board includes a variety of buttons and pads, such as a d-pad, action buttons, and croc-clippable pads, all designed to enhance your coding experience. You can easily connect additional switches and devices to the BBC micro:bit Arcade using the included pins, voltage pin, and ground. Plus, for an added personal touch, you can customize your gameplay with the in-built speaker on the BBC micro:bit.

The Kitronik Arcade is conveniently powered by 3xAA batteries. The battery holders, located on the rear of the PCB, also serve as an ergonomic grip for comfortable use. Additionally, the board provides power to the connected micro:bit through the edge connector slot, eliminating the need for a separate power source. While there is a power switch, simply inserting or removing the BBC micro:bit in the edge connector can also turn the Arcade on and off. You'll know the board is powered on when the green power LED lights up.

MakeCode Arcade is focused on learning and education, and the MakeCode Arcade website offers a variety of helpful resources to support this. There are guided tutorials for creating simple games, as well as more complex games to learn from. You can also explore games created by the community, concept tutorials, and lessons on graphics and math. Additionally, there are printable coding cards, video tutorials, and other tools available.

Features

• The Kitronik ARCADE for micro:bit is a feature-packed handheld gamepad for use with BBC micro:bit V2 and the Microsoft Arcade editor.
• Write your own games to play or freely download games from the MakeCode Arcade website.
• Use the wealth of educational material available to create a game from the ground up or tweak existing code and learn the open-source way.
• It features a full-colour LCD 1.77” screen.
• It also features; 6 gamer input buttons, a menu button, on/off switch.
• The ARCADE breaks out the 0, 1, 2, 3V, GND pins from the micro:bit edge connector to croc-clippable pads below the screen.
• The ARCADE is powered by 3xAA batteries (Not supplied, available separately here).

Contents

• 1x Kitronik ARCADE for BBC micro:bit and MakeCode Arcade gamepad
• Laser-cut protective case parts and fixings (supplied already fully assembled and fitted to ARCADE)