Hardware

Boards

These boards run MakeCode Arcade games. They are based on our guidelines, adhere to open source hardware reference designs (see Adding a New Board to Arcade section below), and have been user tested. However, each hardware manufacturer is responsible for ensuring the compatibility, reliability, safety and compliance of their products. Microsoft provides no representations or warranties on these products and disclaims liability for any risks associated with their use.

[
    {
        "name": "Meowbit",
        "description": "A retro game console for STEM education from Kittenbot team",
        "imageUrl": "https://cdn.makecode.com/blob/9d53d07164dd06f1be7f3e95d5a86f6497b84028/static/hardware/meowbit.png",
        "url": "https://www.kittenbot.cc/collections/frontpage/products/meowbit-codable-console-for-microsoft-makecode-arcade",
        "variant": "hw---stm32f401"
    },
    {
        "name": "Retro Arcade for Education",
        "description": "The Retro has a big screen, colorful protective case, d-pad and vibration motor",
        "imageUrl": "https://cdn.makecode.com/blob/5f2d646821613eb11862e90a5c42c9ab53c21dbb/static/hardware/elecfreaksarcade.jpg",
        "url": "https://shop.elecfreaks.com/products/elecfreaks-retro-makecode-arcade-for-education",
        "variant": "hw---stm32f401"
    },
    {
        "name": "TinkerGen GameGo",
        "description": "A fun-sized console to play the games you code.",
        "imageUrl": "https://cdn.makecode.com/blob/17ac60e97b812585d30831ce3ab1e6790336f50b/static/hardware/gamego.jpg",
        "url": "https://www.seeedstudio.com/GameGo-p-4847.html",
        "variant": "hw---stm32f401"
    },
    {
        "name": "Kitronik ARCADE",
        "description": "ARCADE is a programmable gamepad for use with MakeCode Arcade.",
        "imageUrl": "https://cdn.makecode.com/blob/80ef9f4bf1d4312ee18c9b56e214d7187494817a/static/hardware/kitronik.jpg",
        "url": "https://www.kitronik.co.uk/arcade",
        "variant": "hw---samd51"
    },
    {
        "name": "MRT Game Maker Kit",
        "description": " Sleek hand-held game device with a hard case and a USB-C port.",
        "imageUrl": "https://cdn.makecode.com/blob/75cede3634712ffd11586f9be323d1066ec41e94/static/hardware/mrt-gamemaker-kit.png",
        "url": "https://www.myrobottime.co.kr/gamemakerkit",
        "variant": "hw---stm32f401"
    },
    {
        "name": "Adafruit PyBadge",
        "description": "It's a badge, it's an arcade, it's a PyBadge",
        "imageUrl": "https://cdn.makecode.com/blob/212d3599592d6c6e53cc8fc73c237d8ab09405ca/static/hardware/pybadge.jpg",
        "url": "https://www.adafruit.com/product/4200",
        "variant": "hw---samd51"
    },
    {
        "name": "BrainPad Arcade",
        "description": "Learn how BrainPad Arcade lets you run games on a small handheld console.",
        "imageUrl": "https://cdn.makecode.com/blob/f7b7c3a0f8c17dbb11267ac7f25f5a6b6aef9ee1/static/hardware/ghiarcade.jpg",
        "url": "https://brainpad.com/arcade",
        "variant": "hw---stm32f401"
    },
    {
        "name": "Adafruit PyGamer",
        "description": "The upgraded PyBadge",
        "imageUrl": "https://cdn.makecode.com/blob/87f80ea688f674566826975a9f061044728e2856/static/hardware/pygamer.jpg",
        "url": "https://www.adafruit.com/product/4242",
        "variant": "hw---samd51"
    },
    {
        "name": "Ovobot Xtron Pro",
        "description": "A programmable modular console to create games, design wearables and make creative projects.",
        "imageUrl": "https://cdn.makecode.com/blob/b736a61013301e76903d0e164f254e436f00a9df/static/hardware/xtronpro.png",
        "url": "https://www.ovobot.cc/en/product/detail/xtron-pro/",
        "variant": "hw---stm32f401"
    },
    {
        "name": "Adafruit EdgeBadge",
        "description": "It's the PyBadge with a zest of Machine learning",
        "imageUrl": "https://cdn.makecode.com/blob/0b9c89097cc1571ed6645fcc9fcfa4c825f7c774/static/hardware/edgebadge.jpg",
        "url": "https://www.adafruit.com/product/4400",
        "variant": "hw---samd51"
    },
    {
        "name": "Kitronik ARCADE Max",
        "description": "Program fun and educational games with the Kitronik ARCADE Max",
        "imageUrl": "https://cdn.makecode.com/blob/c52602594955479cea00fd60207a3f3686a370df/static/hardware/kitronik-arcade-max.png",
        "url": "https://kitronik.co.uk/5357",
        "variant": "hw---samd51"
    },
    {
        "name": "Adafruit M4",
        "description": "Learn how to run your games on micro-controllers from Adafruit",
        "imageUrl": "https://cdn.makecode.com/blob/cbba9a0b8614966c5a33914636ef4a6e2d7bb17a/static/hardware/adafruitm4.jpg",
        "url": "https://learn.adafruit.com/makecode-arcade-m4",
        "variant": "hw---samd51"
    }
]

Arcade Shields (for micro:bit V2 and Calliope mini 3)

You can use the micro:bit V2 with an accessory shield to play MakeCode Arcade games as well! Connecting the new micro:bit to a MakeCode Arcade compatible shield allows the micro:bit to become its own retro gaming handheld. The micro:bit acts like a game cartridge that contains all of your game code; the shield enhances the micro:bit with a full colour LCD, additional buttons for game input. In addition to these awesome new features, micro:bit accessory manufacturers can augment their shields with their own custom Arcade shield designs and unique capabilities.

There also is now an Arcade shield for the Calliope mini 3 device.

Shields are based on our guidelines, adhere to open source hardware reference designs, and have been user tested. However, each hardware manufacturer is responsible for ensuring the compatibility, reliability, safety and compliance of their products. Microsoft provides no representations or warranties on these products and disclaims liability for any risks associated with their use.

[
    {
        "name": "micro:bit Retro Shield",
        "description": "Use the micro:bit with an expansion board from Elecfreaks",
        "imageUrl": "https://cdn.makecode.com/blob/2eba1eefc59b3312723f5fece19904a39f0eeb0d/static/hardware/retro-shield.jpg",
        "url": "https://shop.elecfreaks.com/products/micro-bit-retro-programming-arcade"
    },
    {
        "name": "micro:bit Newbit Shield",
        "description": "Use the micro:bit with an expansion board from Kittenbot",
        "imageUrl": "https://cdn.makecode.com/blob/617fc595b0da8da2abd22cb12124c69618e0be14/static/hardware/newbit.png",
        "url": "https://www.kittenbot.cc/products/newbit-arcade-shield"
    },
    {
        "name": "micro:bit Game:Bit Shield",
        "description": "Use the micro:bit with an expansion board from iCShop",
        "imageUrl": "https://cdn.makecode.com/blob/33bc953b57b9330e62cb325f75bfffbc2779bcc1/static/hardware/bit-shield.png",
        "url": "https://www.icshop.com.tw/products/368112100137?locale=en"
    },
    {
        "name": "Kitronik Arcade for micro:bit",
        "description": "Use the micro:bit with an expansion board from Kitronik",
        "imageUrl": "https://cdn.makecode.com/blob/ba29bac722e772c170c29a2df6568aa5edd0b1cf/static/hardware/kitronik-shield.png",
        "url": "http://www.kitronik.co.uk/56116"
    },
    {
        "name": "Calliope GameKit Shield",
        "description": "Use the Calliope mini with GameKit to bring your game ideas to life",
        "imageUrl": "https://cdn.makecode.com/blob/7d535cc85a6d5cc0774ec7aabf3639c783c31293/static/hardware/gamekit.png",
        "url": "https://calliope.cc/en/calliope-mini/accessories/gamekit"
    }
]

Other ways to play Arcade

[
    {
        "name": "Adafruit Joy Bonnet",
        "description": "Learn how to run your games on Raspberry Pi Zero and Adafruit Joy Bonnet.",
        "imageUrl": "https://cdn.makecode.com/blob/6cfff8f848f4575a4799593c1c04ce5b7d06a0bc/static/hardware/adafruitjoybonnet.jpg",
        "url": "https://learn.adafruit.com/makecode-arcade-pi-zero",
        "variant": "hw---rpi"
    },{
        "name": "Shoebox Controller",
        "description": "Turn a shoebox into a USB game controller for a PC.",
        "imageUrl": "https://cdn.makecode.com/blob/02587242fb969b4803f466ee19710cfd126154d1/static/hardware/shoebox.jpg",
        "url": "/hardware/shoebox-controller"
    },
    {
        "name": "Cardboard Panel",
        "description": "Turn a cardboard box into a tabletop arcade.",
        "imageUrl": "https://cdn.makecode.com/blob/0c92d78c34ad159e953164f71109c6994571cca3/static/hardware/controlpanel.jpg",
        "url": "/hardware/raspberry-pi/cardboard-control-panel",
        "variant": "hw---rpi"
    },
    {
        "name": "Arcade table",
        "description": "Turn an IKEA FLISAT table into an arcade.",
        "imageUrl": "https://cdn.makecode.com/blob/34a3bd5b9ebfa4b9ba9098b4ded17f50e21b4852/static/hardware/raspberry-pi/ikea-flisat-table/gallery.jpg",
        "url": "/hardware/raspberry-pi/ikea-flisat-table",
        "variant": "hw---rpi"
    },
    {
        "name": "Arcade cabinets",
        "description": "Choose one of three options.",
        "imageUrl": "https://cdn.makecode.com/blob/677a265137af80cb76c1f17d87b2b281fa5a188d/static/hardware/raspberry-pi/wooden-cabinet/gallery.jpg",
        "url": "/hardware/cabinets",
        "variant": "hw---rpi"
    },
    {
        "name": "Makey Makey",
        "description": "Turn your banana keyboard into an Arcade game controller.",
        "imageUrl": "https://cdn.makecode.com/blob/38e03469a8d2f3d9f8277e469a9a0b478a3a8e2e/static/hardware/makey-makey.jpg",
        "url": "https://makeymakey.com/blogs/how-to-instructions/getting-started-with-microsoft-makecode-arcade"
    }
]

Adding a New Board to Arcade

If you want to design a board with Arcade support, refer to the Adding Board page.

There are a few resources about adding new MCUs in the Arcade Hardware Development page.