Micro:GamePad - GamePad Module for Micro:bit

With electronics having become a far more accessible (and affordable) hobby over the past few years, it’s awesome to see the constant growth of fantastic Modules and extras that we can now get to enhance our experiences and push the limits of our skills and knowledge in the hobbyist electronics realm. However, if there’s one brand that really excels in the world of learning about Electronics for any and everybody, it’s Micro:bit, the BBC developed microcontroller that comes fully equipped with a range of exciting components and functions to play and experiment with. This, when coupled with the online block-coding interface and easy-to-understand style of Micro:bit Dev Boards, makes them a true joy to work with, ensuring that they are ideal for both educational purposes, but also for Makers who like the fully embedded all-in-one packages that they offer. This is why, even though we already love the Micro:bit Boards as they are, it’s even more exciting when cool Micro:bit Expansions are introduced to the playing field, bringing even more functionality to Micro:bit boards and helping Makers in even more learning and experimentation.

The Micro:GamePad is a relatively simple but super cool GamePad Module designed specifically for the Micro:bit Series of development boards, and features a Micro:bit expander slot that you can simply plug your Micro:bit into like an old cartridge. It features four standard onboard push buttons and a 4-directional Joypad on the front, as well as two shoulder buttons along the top, and offers an onboard buzzer for sound effects, a tiny vibration motor and LED for indication and feedback, and even features a dual AAA Battery holder integrated directly on the front for easy access and surprisingly good weight-balancing. This is perfect for turning the Micro:bit Dev Board into a portable gaming console, and although it may only be able to handle a couple of relatively basic games, it is an awesome start to even larger projects, possibly involving larger displays or Robotics Platforms for both virtual and physical experimentation and learning.

Although in the past it used to be quite tough to get involved in Electronics, given the fact that it required a decent level of electronics knowledge or at least some experience in coding, the Micro:bit system makes learning easy, and if you’ve been looking for a way to start learning, experimenting and playing with electronics, the Micro:bit board, along with awesome Micro:bit Expansions like the Micro:GamePad, may just be the perfect place to get it all started.

Additional Resources:

• To get a better understanding of this awesome little Micro:bit expansion module, check out this handy Micro:GamePad User Manual PDF.
  
  
• Next up, to get started with easy and simplified coding that anyone can understand and put into practice, check out this Micro:bit MakeCode Website, which allows you to Make new projects, find projects that others are doing, and ultimately share your projects with others in a super easy block-coding style.

An open source brand with a heart for computer education, Micro:Bit began with the release of their small development board in 2016. The brand shot into teacher’s classrooms and into the hands of children and adults alike, who were ready to learn. The Micro:Bit board does everything in the most tangible way, allowing you to learn practically at every step. Soon, the Microbit Education Foundation sprung to life and produced a website full of free educational resources and lesson plans. Students have the chance to create games, explore coding and design robotics projects. All with the help of Micro:Bit’s easy to understand educational platform! We stock an array of Micro:Bit products, including full educational kits and robotics projects for you to build. Let Micro:Bit bring fun to your first ever electronics project, and enjoy embarking on a whole new creative journey.