Arduino Snake Game 🐍with Joystick, OLED Display, and Buzzer

The Snake game is one of the most iconic classic games ever created. So let’s create this timeless game using an Arduino, a joystick module, and an OLED display. The joystick controls the snake’s direction while the OLED screen displays the game in real time.

This is a fun beginner-to-intermediate electronics project that teaches you about Arduino graphics, joystick input, and game logic.

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📦 Components Required

To build this project, you’ll need the following components:

• Arduino Uno (or compatible board)
• SSD1306 128×64 OLED Display
• Analog Joystick Module
• Active Buzzer Module (Optional)
• Breadboard
• Jumper wires

I highly recommend getting a complete starter kit that includes everything you need to create so many projects, including this snake game.

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🔌 Circuit Connections

OLED Display (I2C)

OLED Pin	Arduino
VCC	5V
GND	GND
SDA	A4
SCL	A5

Joystick Module

Joystick Pin	Arduino
VCC	5V
GND	GND
VRX	A0
VRY	A1
SW	D2

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💻 Arduino Code

Below is the final code used for this project:

#include <Wire.h>
#include <Adafruit_SSD1306.h>
#include <Adafruit_GFX.h>

Adafruit_SSD1306 display(128, 64, &Wire, -1);

#define JOYSTICK_X A0
#define JOYSTICK_Y A1
#define BUZZER_PIN 2

#define SNAKE_MAX_LENGTH 12
int snake_x[SNAKE_MAX_LENGTH];
int snake_y[SNAKE_MAX_LENGTH];
int snake_length = 2;
int score = 0;
int snake_dir = 0;  // 0 = right, 1 = up, 2 = left, 3 = down
int food_x;
int food_y;

void setup() {
  display.begin(SSD1306_SWITCHCAPVCC, 0x3C);
  display.clearDisplay();
  display.display();

  pinMode(BUZZER_PIN, OUTPUT);

  //randomSeed(analogRead(0));
  food_x = random(0, display.width() / 8);
  food_y = random(0, display.height() / 8);

  snake_x[0] = 0;
  snake_y[0] = 0;
  snake_x[1] = 1;
  snake_y[1] = 0;

  drawSnake();
  drawFood();
}

void loop() {
  delay(80);

  //Joystick Control
  int xVal = analogRead(JOYSTICK_X);
  int yVal = analogRead(JOYSTICK_Y);

  if (xVal > 850 && snake_dir != 2) {  // Right
    snake_dir = 0;
  } else if (xVal < 150 && snake_dir != 0) {  // Left
    snake_dir = 2;
  } else if (yVal > 850 && snake_dir != 1) {  // Down
    snake_dir = 3;
  } else if (yVal < 150 && snake_dir != 3) {  // UP
    snake_dir = 1;
  }
  for (int i = snake_length - 1; i > 0; i--) {
    snake_x[i] = snake_x[i - 1];
    snake_y[i] = snake_y[i - 1];
  }

  switch (snake_dir) {
    case 0:
      snake_x[0]++;
      break;
    case 1:
      snake_y[0]--;
      break;
    case 2:
      snake_x[0]--;
      break;
    case 3:
      snake_y[0]++;
      break;
  }

  if (snake_x[0] < 0) {
    snake_x[0] = display.width() / 8 - 1;
  } else if (snake_x[0] >= display.width() / 8) {
    snake_x[0] = 0;
  }

  if (snake_y[0] < 0) {
    snake_y[0] = display.height() / 8 - 1;
  } else if (snake_y[0] >= display.height() / 8) {
    snake_y[0] = 0;
  }

  //Eat Apple
  if (snake_x[0] == food_x && snake_y[0] == food_y) {
    if (snake_length < SNAKE_MAX_LENGTH) {
      snake_length++;
    }
    score = score + 1;

    digitalWrite(BUZZER_PIN, HIGH);
    delay(10);
    digitalWrite(BUZZER_PIN, LOW);

    food_x = random(0, display.width() / 8);
    food_y = random(0, display.height() / 8);
  }

  for (int i = 1; i < snake_length; i++) {
    if (snake_x[0] == snake_x[i] && snake_y[0] == snake_y[i]) {
      gameOver();
      Reset();
    }
  }

  display.clearDisplay();
  drawSnake();
  drawFood();
  display.display();
}

void drawSnake() {

  for (int i = 0; i < snake_length; i++) {
    display.fillRect(snake_x[i] * 8, snake_y[i] * 8, 8, 8, WHITE);
  }
}

void drawFood() {
  display.fillRect(food_x * 8, food_y * 8, 8, 8, WHITE);
}

void gameOver() {
  display.clearDisplay();
  display.setTextSize(2);
  display.setTextColor(WHITE);
  display.setCursor(5, 20);
  display.println("Game Over!");
  display.setCursor(15, 40);
  display.print("Score: ");
  display.println(score);
  display.display();
  delay(3000);
}

void Reset() {
  score = 0;
  food_x = random(0, display.width() / 8);
  food_y = random(0, display.height() / 8);
  snake_length = 2;
  snake_dir = 0;  // 0 = right, 1 = up, 2 = left, 3 = down
  snake_x[0] = 0;
  snake_y[0] = 0;
  snake_x[1] = 1;
  snake_y[1] = 0;
}

Before uploading, make sure to install these libraries from the Arduino Library Manager:

• Adafruit SSD1306
• Adafruit GFX Library

▶️ Uploading the Code

1. Connect your Arduino board to your computer.
2. Open Arduino IDE.
3. Install the required libraries.
4. Copy and paste the code.
5. Select your board and port.
6. Click Upload.

Once uploaded, the game will start automatically on the OLED display.

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🧠 How the Game Works

The Arduino controls a snake that moves across the OLED screen, and the joystick allows you to change the snake’s direction:

• Move up/down/left/right using the joystick
• The snake eats food pixels
• Each food item makes the snake grow longer
• The game ends if the snake hits the wall or itself

When the snake collides with itself, the Game Over screen appears and the game restarts.

🚀 Possible Improvements

You can make the game even better by adding:

• You can improve the project by adding:
• 🏆 High score storage using EEPROM
• ⚡ Speed increase with score
• 🎨 Snake head design
• 📊 Score display during gameplay
• 🎮 Menu system

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🔍 Code Explanation

In this section, we will break down the Arduino code used to create the Snake game and explain what each part does.

1️⃣ Including Required Libraries

#include <Wire.h>
#include <Adafruit_SSD1306.h>
#include <Adafruit_GFX.h>

These libraries allow the Arduino to communicate with the OLED display.

• Wire – Enables I2C communication between the Arduino and the OLED display.
• Adafruit SSD1306 – Controls the OLED display module.
• Adafruit GFX Library – Provides drawing functions like text, rectangles, and graphics.

2️⃣ Creating the Display Object

Adafruit_SSD1306 display(128, 64, &Wire, -1);

This line initializes the OLED display at 128×64 pixels and instructs the program to use the I2C communication protocol.

3️⃣ Defining Pins and Constants

#define JOYSTICK_X A0
#define JOYSTICK_Y A1
#define BUZZER_PIN 2
#define SNAKE_MAX_LENGTH 12

Here we define the hardware connections:

• A0 → Joystick X-axis
• A1 → Joystick Y-axis
• Pin 2 → Buzzer

SNAKE_MAX_LENGTH limits how long the snake can grow.

4️⃣ Game Variables

int snake_x[SNAKE_MAX_LENGTH];
int snake_y[SNAKE_MAX_LENGTH];
int snake_length = 2;
int score = 0;
int snake_dir = 0;
int food_x;
int food_y;

These variables store the game state:

• snake_x[] and snake_y[] store the coordinates of each snake segment.
• snake_length determines how long the snake currently is.
• score stores the player’s score.
• snake_dir controls the direction of movement.
• food_x and food_y store the position of the food.

Direction values:

Value	Direction
0	Right
1	Up
2	Left
3	Down

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⚙️ The setup() Function

void setup() {

This function runs once when the Arduino starts.

display.begin(SSD1306_SWITCHCAPVCC, 0x3C);
display.clearDisplay();
display.display();

This starts the OLED display and clears the screen.

Setting the Buzzer Pin

pinMode(BUZZER_PIN, OUTPUT);

This sets the buzzer pin as an output so the Arduino can control it.

Generating the First Food Position

  food_x = random(0, display.width() / 8);
  food_y = random(0, display.height() / 8);

This randomly places the food somewhere on the screen.

The display is divided into 8×8 pixel blocks, which makes the snake move in a grid.

Initial Snake Position

snake_x[0] = 0;
snake_y[0] = 0;
snake_x[1] = 1;
snake_y[1] = 0;

The snake starts with two segments.

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🔄 The loop() Function

void loop() {

This function runs continuously and controls the game.

Reading the Joystick

int xVal = analogRead(JOYSTICK_X);
int yVal = analogRead(JOYSTICK_Y);

The Arduino reads the joystick’s analog values to determine movement.

Determining Snake Direction

if (xVal > 850 && snake_dir != 2)

The second condition prevents the snake from instantly turning into itself.

Moving the Snake Body

for (int i = snake_length - 1; i > 0; i--) {
    snake_x[i] = snake_x[i - 1];
    snake_y[i] = snake_y[i - 1];
}

Each segment of the snake follows the segment in front of it.

Moving the Snake Head

switch (snake_dir)

This updates the snake’s head position depending on its direction.

Example:

• Moving right → increase X
• Moving up → decrease Y

Screen Wrapping

if (snake_x[0] < 0)

If the snake moves past the edge of the screen, it reappears on the opposite side.

This creates a wrap-around effect.

🍎 Detecting Food Collision

  //Eat Apple
  if (snake_x[0] == food_x && snake_y[0] == food_y) {
    if (snake_length < SNAKE_MAX_LENGTH) {
      snake_length++;
    }
    score = score + 1;

    digitalWrite(BUZZER_PIN, HIGH);
    delay(10);
    digitalWrite(BUZZER_PIN, LOW);

    food_x = random(0, display.width() / 8);
    food_y = random(0, display.height() / 8);
  }

If the snake’s head reaches the food position:

• Snake length increases
• Score increases
• The buzzer makes a sound
• New food appears

🔊 Buzzer Sound

digitalWrite(BUZZER_PIN, HIGH);
delay(10);
digitalWrite(BUZZER_PIN, LOW);

This produces a short beep sound when food is eaten.

💀 Snake Collision Detection

  for (int i = 1; i < snake_length; i++) {
    if (snake_x[0] == snake_x[i] && snake_y[0] == snake_y[i]) {
      gameOver();
      Reset();
    }
  }

This checks whether the snake’s head touches its body.

If it does:

• The game ends
• gameOver() is called
• The game resets

🐍 Drawing the Snake

void drawSnake()

This function draws the snake on the OLED screen.

Each segment is drawn as an 8×8 pixel square.

display.fillRect(...)

🍎 Drawing the Food

void drawFood()

This function draws the food block on the screen.

🕹 Game Over Screen

void gameOver()

When the snake collides with itself:

• The screen shows Game Over
• The final score is displayed
• The game pauses for 3 seconds

🔄 Resetting the Game

void Reset()

This function restores the initial game state:

• Score resets to 0
• Snake length resets to 2
• Snake position resets
• New food is generated

🧾 Conclusion

Building a Snake game on Arduino is a fun and educational project that combines electronics, coding, and creativity. Using a joystick and an OLED display makes the game interactive and visually appealing.

Whether you’re a beginner or an electronics enthusiast, this project is a fantastic way to learn Arduino programming and game logic.