Preparing the PicoGamer to Receive Code and Games from Arduino IDE

This tutorial will guide you through setting up your PicoGamer v1.2 DIY Edition to receive and run code and games from the Arduino Integrated Development Environment (IDE). We'll install the necessary software, configure the IDE, and deploy your first game to your PicoGamer.

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Prerequisites

  • PicoGamer v1.2 DIY Edition microcontroller.
  • Micro USB cable for connecting the PicoGamer to your computer.
  • Computer with internet access running Windows, macOS, or Linux.
  • Arduino IDE installed on your computer.
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Table of Contents

  1. Install Arduino IDE
  2. Configure PicoGamer in Arduino IDE
  3. Load and Upload a Game Example
  4. Verify the Game Runs on PicoGamer
  5. Troubleshooting
  6. Next Steps

1. Install Arduino IDE

The Arduino IDE is the software you'll use to write and upload games to your PicoGamer.

Steps:

  1. Download the Arduino IDE:
    • Visit the Arduino Software page.
    • Choose the version compatible with your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux).
    • Click on the appropriate download link.
  2. Install the Arduino IDE:
    • Windows:
      • Run the downloaded .exe file.
      • Follow the installation wizard instructions.
    • macOS:
      • Open the downloaded .dmg file.
      • Drag and drop the Arduino app into the Applications folder.
    • Linux:
      • Extract the downloaded .tar.xz file.
      • Run the install.sh script in the extracted folder.
  3. Launch the Arduino IDE:
    • Open the Arduino application to ensure it's installed correctly.

2. Configure PicoGamer in Arduino IDE

To program your PicoGamer, you need to configure the Arduino IDE to recognize it as a supported board.

Steps:

  1. Open Arduino IDE Preferences:
    • Go to File > Preferences (or Arduino > Preferences on macOS).
  2. Add Board Manager URL:
    • In the Preferences window, find the Additional Boards Manager URLs field.
    • Paste the following URL: 
      https://github.com/earlephilhower/arduino-pico/releases/download/global/package_rp2040_index.json
    • If there's already text in the field, separate the URLs with a comma.
  3. Open Boards Manager:
    • Click OK to close the Preferences window.
    • Go to Tools > Board > Boards Manager.
  4. Install PicoGamer Board Support:
    • In the Boards Manager search bar, type rp2040.
    • Find "Raspberry Pi RP2040 Boards" by Earle F. Philhower.
    • Click Install next to it.
    • Wait for the installation to complete.

3. Load and Upload a Game Example

With the PicoGamer configured, you can now load a game example and upload it to your device.

Steps:

  1. Select the PicoGamer Board:
    • Go to Tools > Board.
    • Scroll down to Raspberry Pi RP2040 Boards.
    • Select PicoGamer v1.2.
  2. Connect Your PicoGamer:
    • Press and hold the BOOTSEL button on your PicoGamer.
    • While holding the button, connect the PicoGamer to your computer using the micro USB cable.
    • Release the BOOTSEL button after connecting.
    • The PicoGamer should appear as a removable storage device named RPI-RP2.
  3. Select the Port:
    • Go to Tools > Port.
    • Select the port that represents your PicoGamer (it might show up as a COM port on Windows or /dev/ttyACM0 on Linux).
  4. Open a Game Example:
    • Go to File > Examples > PicoGamer > BasicGame.
    • A new window will open with the BasicGame sketch.
  5. Upload the Sketch:
    • Click the Upload button ( icon) in the toolbar.
    • Wait for the IDE to compile and upload the sketch to your PicoGamer.

4. Verify the Game Runs on PicoGamer

After the upload completes:

  • The game should start running automatically on your PicoGamer's display.
  • If it does, congratulations! You've successfully deployed your first game to the PicoGamer.

5. Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues, try the following solutions:

  • PicoGamer Not Detected:
    • Ensure you're holding the BOOTSEL button while connecting the PicoGamer.
    • Try a different USB cable or port.
  • Port Not Showing Up:
    • Install necessary drivers if prompted.
    • Restart the Arduino IDE after installing board support.
  • Upload Fails:
    • Double-check that the correct board and port are selected in the Tools menu.
    • Ensure no other application is using the serial port.
  • Game Doesn't Run:
    • Verify that the game sketch is compatible with the PicoGamer hardware.
    • Check the connections and ensure the PicoGamer is properly seated.

6. Next Steps

Now that you've successfully prepared your PicoGamer to receive code and games from the Arduino IDE:

  • Explore other game examples in the Examples menu.
  • Experiment with modifying game parameters (e.g., change game speed or graphics).
  • Learn more about the PicoGamer's capabilities in the official PicoGamer documentation.
  • Share your custom games and projects with the PicoGamer community.
  • Purchase additional components or accessories to expand your PicoGamer's functionality.
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Happy gaming and coding with your PicoGamer v1.2 DIY Edition!