Maker creates an Arduino-powered Bust-A-Move mechanism, controlled in real-time from Mame arcade emulator
Originally published on tomshardware.com by Ash Hill on 25 November 2024
Dr. Tom Tilley has introduced a new take on merging the virtual and physical worlds with his bubble launcher from the classic arcade game Bust-A-Move. Using an Arduino to control the mechanics, this physical launcher moves in real time, perfectly synchronized with the in-game mechanism during play.
For those unfamiliar, Bust-A-Move is a 1990s arcade favorite developed by Taito, where players use a bubble launcher to match three or more bubbles of the same color. As new rows of bubbles descend from the top, players must clear them before they reach the bottom.
Dr. Tilley’s project replicates the bubble launcher’s movements with a servo motor-driven mechanism crafted from cut-out cardboard pieces—a charmingly simple design. While this prototype is a bit rudimentary, Tilley plans to enhance it by making the parts 3D-printable, enabling others to build their own at home. While the current setup only mirrors the game’s launcher movements, Tilley has hinted at potential future upgrades, including transforming the device into a functional game controller.
The project is powered by an Arduino, though it could easily adapt to other microcontrollers like the Raspberry Pi Pico W. It interfaces with an emulator running the game through MAME (Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator). A custom script reads the in-game launcher’s position and sends the data to the Arduino, which controls the servo motor to replicate the movement physically.
This impressive project is an excellent example of combining retro gaming with hands-on hardware creativity. If you’d like to see it in action, visit Tilley’s posts on X (formerly Twitter) for updates and demonstrations. His plans to release 3D-printable designs could make it easier for others to replicate or adapt the build for their own arcade-inspired projects.
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