D.I.Y. PONG Console [Instructables How-To]

Depending on the definitions you use and who you ask, the first video game was either Spacewar! or PONG. And if we're going to really split hairs, one is behooved to note that PONG's predecessor is Tennis For Two, a prototype tennis simulator made in 1958 with an oscilloscope screen on a cathode-ray vacuum tube computer. Whatever the case may be, PONG was the first arcade game to be played in living rooms across America, igniting the imaginations of households now able to bridge the divide between themselves and their televisions.

Atari’s PONG console retailed for $98.95 during the holiday season of 1975, translating roughly to $400 in the present day. This Instructable from Patrick McCabe will help you make your own homemade PONG box for a tiny fraction of that amount.

To start, you’ll need 6 LED matrices, LED matrix driver ICs (display drivers), 2 custom controllers, a small wooden cabinet, and an Arduino. In case you were worried we’d lead you astray, you’re not going to be programming PONG software or building an LED display. Additionally, the tools you’ll need for this project include a saw, electric drill, soldering iron, hammer, hot glue gun, multimeter, A screw driver, wire stripper, and diagonal cutters for clipping leads and wire.

The display breakout board is constructed from 6 8×8 5mm LED matrices, easily found on eBay. You’ll also need an LED display driver, available here from Sparkfun. For the rest of this console, some assembly is clearly required. The next step is to connect the IC to each matrix using the correct circuit. Here’s a nifty guide for wiring and schematics between an Arduino to an LED matrix. Then pick up your PBC (printed circuit boards) from a batchhouse like Seed Studio. Solder these components to the breakout boards.

Now for the hard part—attaching the matrices to the board. For detailed instructions, please refer to the wiring instructions in Step 2. The author’s diagram will help you figure out which pin is which.

For the controller paddles, you’ll need to get some additional materials found listed in Step 3. Drill some holes in the project box—one in the middle of the lid for the potentiometer to stick through, and another hole in the middle of the front of the project box for the audio jack to bolt onto. Finally drill a hole for the LED near the edge of the lid. This final LED will be used for power indication. Next bolt the audio jack on the inside of the controller to the front hole of the project box. Test if you’ve done everything right by turning on the power to see if the LEDs light up.

Now build the cabinet, with a matching door, that is large enough to fit the screen and electronics. Leave a ledge for the Arduino and batteries on the outside so you can easily program and change batteries.

Now you will need to drill some more holes to bolt the power switch and audio jacks onto the box. Make sure these wires can run from the inside, outside to the Arduino and battery pack. Next, distribute power to all your components and wire the few connections from the display to the Arduino.

Finally, add some finishing touches like a buzzer for sound effects or a foam prop for the screen. Read all about programming your new toy in the final step.

Visit the Instructables How-To for further instruction, more detailed photographs, and tips on where to buy materials.