2024 Tiny Games Contest: Pi-O-Scope-Pong

Aaron Lager’s Pi-O-Scope-Pong project is a clever and minimalistic take on the classic game of Pong, utilizing an oscilloscope to create sharp, clean visuals for the paddles and ball. The project is powered by a Raspberry Pi, which manages signal generation and accepts inputs from an Xbox controller’s joysticks connected via Bluetooth.

Initially, Aaron tried generating the necessary signals directly from the Pi’s PWM outputs. However, this approach resulted in smeared visuals due to the limitations of simple RC filtering. To achieve the desired crispness, he opted to use an 8-bit MAX506 DAC, which greatly improved the quality of the analog outputs, giving the visuals the sharpness they needed.

While this version of Pong doesn’t include score-keeping or sound effects, it does feature one notable improvement over the original: a round ball. The original Pong game had a square ball, a design choice driven by the need to minimize component count and cost. By leveraging modern technology, Aaron was able to recreate the game with a round ball, enhancing the authenticity and visual appeal of the project.

The project’s code is open-source and available on GitHub, making it a great resource for anyone interested in exploring the intersection of retro gaming and modern electronics.

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