PICO Blaster brings a fresh twist to the classic "Space Invaders" concept. Players control a spacecraft using a four-directional button PCB board, allowing seamless movement across the LED matrix display. As circular projectiles in three different sizes approach from the right side, the challenge is simple yet thrilling: shoot them down before they reach the ship. Armed with two types of weapons—rapid-fire bullets and a high-impact blaster—the game tests both strategy and reflexes.

Each projectile is color-coded based on size and difficulty: the smallest orange projectiles require a single bullet, medium yellow projectiles need two, and large red projectiles demand three hits to destroy. For players under pressure, the blaster offers a powerful advantage, capable of obliterating all projectiles in its path with a single shot, though limited by a 10-second cooldown.

PICO Blaster showcases a perfect blend of creativity and technical ingenuity, offering a rewarding experience for both players and developers.

RGB Matrix Game Controller Project

We are reusing one of our previously built game console project. This project consists of a 64x32 RGB matrix board coupled with a PICO Driver board. For controls, we have included a D-pad Button board that is connected to the GOIO of the PICO 2.

This console has an onboard power source, which is a single 3.7V 2600mAh lithium-ion cell that powers the device, making it a portable game system that we can take anywhere and start playing.

Previously, we created a basic Snake Game for this console in which we could control a Snake. The goal was to guide the snake to eat a red dot, and as the snake munched on the red dot, its size increased. The score counter will keep track of how many dots our snake has consumed. Game over happens when the snake bites itself.

You can find out more about this project from the article below.

https://www.hackstr.io/Arnov_Sharma_makes/snake-game-console-07b378

PICO DRIVER

The main component of our console is the PICO Driver Board, which is essentially a breakout board for the PICO that allows us to connect an RGB matrix's HUB75 connector to the PICO. It also has a 3.7V Lithium Cell Power Management circuit, which ensures that the PICO and RGB matrix work at a consistent 5V.

For a quick overview of the PICO Driver Board's assembly process, see our prior project, where we went into detail about how the assembly was completed.

PCBWAY Service

We made two PCBs for this project: the button board and the PICO driver board. Two orders were made: one for the button board and one for the PICO driver board.

The button board PCB was ordered in white solder mask and black silkscreen, while the PICO Driver PCB was ordered in blue solder mask and white silkscreen.

After placing the order, the PCBs were received within a week, and the PCB quality was pretty great.

Over the past ten years, PCBWay has distinguished themselves by providing outstanding PCB manufacturing and assembly services, becoming a trusted partner for countless engineers and designers worldwide.

Their commitment to quality and customer satisfaction has been unwavering, leading to significant growth and expansion.

You guys can check out PCBWAY if you want great PCB service at an affordable rate.