Micro Console Snake

SnakeOnXIAO 🐍

A pocket-sized, custom-built retro gaming console made from scratch just to play the legendary Snake game!

This repository contains the full hardware design (KiCad schematic and PCB layout) and the custom C++ game engine running on a Seeed Studio XIAO RP2040 microcontroller.

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Project Structure

• PCB/ — KiCad project files:
• *.kicad_pro — KiCad project management file.
• *.kicad_sch — Clean electrical schematic with custom net labels.
• *.kicad_pcb — Custom PCB routing, component layout, and geometric board shape.
• Firmware/ — Game source code:
• *codeSnake.ino — Arduino IDE C++ sketch running the custom Snake game loop.
• • Images — images of my project.

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Hardware & Architecture

• Microcontroller: Seeed Studio XIAO RP2040 (chosen for its tiny form factor and huge performance).
• Display: 0.96" I2C OLED display ($128 \times 64$ pixels) powered by the SSD1306 driver.
• Controls: 4x 6x6mm tactile buttons arranged as a classic D-Pad layout for fluid movement.
• Pinout Configuration:
• Buttons (D-Pad): Connected directly to digital pins D0 (Up), D1 (Down), D2 (Left), and D3 (Right) using internal INPUT_PULLUP resistors.
• OLED Screen (I2C): Connected to hardware I2C pins D4 (SDA) and D5 (SCL). Powered by the 3V3 and GND lines.

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Game Engine Features

The game code is written in C++ using Arduino IDE and utilizes Adafruit_GFX and Adafruit_SSD1306 libraries.

• Dynamic Game Loop: Runs at a stable frame rate, processing inputs, updating game logic, and rendering graphics in real-time.
• Smart Collision Detection: Full grid tracking to handle when the snake eats food (and grows!), hits the custom map borders, or runs into its own tail.
• Grid-Aligned Spawning: Random food spawning that perfectly matches the coordinate system of the snake segments.
• Zero External Components: Uses the RP2040's internal pull-up resistors to keep the PCB layout extremely clean and beginner-friendly.

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How to Open and Explore

1. Hardware & PCB Layout (KiCad)

1. Download or clone this repository.
2. Open KiCad 10 (or newer).
3. Load the project from the PCB/ directory.
4. Open the Schematic Editor to view connections, or jump into the PCB Editor and hit Alt + 3 to see the full 3D model of the console!

2. Flashing the Firmware (Arduino)

1. Open the .ino file in the Arduino IDE.
2. Go to Tools -> Manage Libraries and install Adafruit GFX and Adafruit SSD1306.
3. Select Seeed XIAO RP2040 in your Boards Manager.
4. Connect your console via USB-C, choose the correct port, and hit Upload!