Tetris on Arduino

Interactive LED-Based Tetris Gaming System Using Arduino Mega

Embedded Systems • Game Development • Interactive Electronics

Project ID: BAG-GAME-2024-002 Platform: Arduino Mega 2560 Status: Active Open-Source Project

Tetris on Arduino is an open-source educational project. Project circuit diagrams, component links, source code, technical documentation and project images are available through the Open Source Section.

Project Overview

Tetris on Arduino is an interactive LED-based gaming system that brings the classic Tetris experience to physical hardware using an Arduino Mega, a WS2812B addressable LED matrix, joystick controls and an I2C LCD.

The project demonstrates the integration of embedded systems, real-time game-logic programming, addressable LED control and physical user interaction. The Arduino Mega manages the game loop, tetromino movement, collision detection, line clearing, score calculation and display output.

Tetris on Arduino LED gaming system — Tetris on Arduino interactive LED gaming system.

Objective

The objective is to create an engaging and playable Tetris game on physical hardware using an LED matrix display and joystick input for educational and entertainment purposes.

Methodology

Programming

Embedded C++

Arduino programming and FastLED are used to control the game engine and LED matrix.

Game Logic

Collision Detection

Algorithms check walls, blocks, movement, rotation, line completion and piece locking.

Interaction

Real-Time Input

Analog joystick values are processed to provide smooth movement, rotation and drop commands.

Educational Value

This project provides an introduction to embedded-game development and demonstrates frame buffers, game loops, sprite rendering, collision detection, scoring systems, LED mapping and user-input handling on a resource-constrained microcontroller.

Project Specifications

Project ID BAG-GAME-2024-002

Platform Arduino Mega 2560

Display WS2812B 10×20 LED Matrix

Input Dual-Axis Analog Joystick

Information Display 16×2 I2C LCD

Status Active and Open Source

Interactive Game Simulation

Browser Tetris Simulator Simulator Active

Game Statistics

0 Score

1 Level

0 Lines

IDLE Waiting for start

Next Piece

Game Controls

Keyboard: Left/Right arrows to move, Up arrow to rotate, Down arrow to drop slowly, Space for hard drop and P to pause.

Working Principle

The Arduino Mega runs a dedicated game loop responsible for reading joystick input, updating the active tetromino, checking collisions, clearing completed lines, calculating the score and rendering the current game frame on the LED matrix.

The 10×20 WS2812B matrix operates as the physical display buffer. Every logical game pixel is mapped to a physical LED. The I2C LCD presents score and level information, while the buzzer provides sound feedback.

Core Game Loop

Read joystick input.
Update the tetromino position.
Check for collisions.
Render the frame on the LED matrix.
Apply the selected game-speed delay.

Tetromino System

■ ■ ■ ■

I-Piece

Four blocks arranged in a straight line.

■ ■
■ ■

O-Piece

Four blocks arranged in a 2×2 square.

■
■ ■ ■

T-Piece

Four blocks arranged in a T-shaped form.

Game Flow Diagram

Start Game

↓

Generate Random Piece

↓

Player Input Available?

↓

Move or Rotate Piece / Apply Automatic Drop

↓

Collision Detected?

↓

Lock Piece and Check Completed Lines

↓

Clear Lines, Update Score and Render Frame

↺

Continue Game Loop

Hardware Status

Arduino Mega Operational

WS2812B Matrix Operational

Analog Joystick Operational

I2C LCD Operational

Hardware Specifications

Component	Specification	Quantity	Function
Microcontroller	Arduino Mega 2560 — ATmega2560	1	Game processing and LED control
LED Strip	WS2812B 5 V RGB — 200 LEDs	1	10×20 game-display matrix
Joystick Module	Dual-axis analog joystick with button	1	Player movement and rotation control
LCD Display	16×2 I2C character LCD	1	Score and level display
Buzzer	5 V active piezo buzzer	1	Sound effects and feedback
Power Supply	Regulated 5 V supply rated for the LED load	1	LED matrix and system power

Components Used

Arduino Mega 2560
WS2812B Addressable RGB LED Strip
200 Individually Addressable LEDs
Dual-Axis Analog Joystick Module
Joystick Push Button
16×2 I2C LCD Display
5 V Active Piezo Buzzer
Regulated 5 V Power Supply
470 Ω Data-Line Resistor
1000 µF Power-Smoothing Capacitor
Jumper Wires and Connectors
LED Matrix Frame and Mounting Board

Circuit Design

Circuit Description

The WS2812B strip is arranged in a serpentine pattern to create the 10×20 game matrix. The data input is connected to Arduino digital pin 6 through a 470 Ω resistor.

WS2812B Data Arduino digital pin 6

Joystick X-Axis Arduino analog pin A0

Joystick Y-Axis Arduino analog pin A1

Joystick Button Arduino digital pin 2

I2C LCD SDA and SCL communication pins

Buzzer Arduino digital pin 3

Wiring Notes

Capacitor Add a 1000 µF capacitor across the LED power terminals.

Common Ground Connect Arduino ground to the power-supply ground.

Data Line Keep the LED data connection short to reduce signal degradation.

Power Injection Use suitable power-injection points for the long LED strip.

Brightness Limit LED brightness in software to reduce current demand and heat.

Power-Supply Safety Notice

A WS2812B LED can draw approximately 60 mA at maximum white brightness. Two hundred LEDs could therefore require up to approximately 12 A. Use a properly rated regulated 5 V supply, include suitable power injection and protection, limit brightness in software, avoid powering the complete matrix through the Arduino board, and obtain adult supervision while assembling and testing the power circuit.

Open-Source Project Resources

The project circuit diagrams, component-purchase links, Arduino source code, wiring details, technical documentation and project photographs are available through the Open Source Section.

Arduino Source Code

Circuit Diagrams

Component Links

Project Images

Visit Open Source Section

Conclusion

Tetris on Arduino demonstrates how game-development concepts can be implemented using embedded electronics. The project combines an Arduino Mega, joystick, I2C LCD and WS2812B LED matrix to create an interactive physical gaming platform.

It provides a practical learning experience in microcontroller programming, LED control, input processing, collision detection, score management, circuit design and real-time system operation.

Open-Source Educational Project

Tetris on Arduino is released as an open-source educational project. Its source code, circuit diagrams, component information and supporting documentation may be studied, reused and modified in accordance with the licence and attribution requirements provided in the Open Source Section. Users must retain applicable attribution and should clearly identify any modified versions.