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Arduino Game Controller V2 is a wired DIY USB gamepad built around an Arduino Pro Micro and a custom PCB. It has two analog joysticks and twelve mapped buttons. Building it requires soldering the controls to the board; compatibility with a particular modern game or operating system is not guaranteed by the project’s 2021 tutorial.
What the Arduino Game Controller V2 is
Arnov Sharma’s project, published March 30, 2021, is the second version of a homemade Arduino game controller. Compared with the earlier button-only design, V2 adds two joysticks and uses the Pro Micro’s USB HID capability with a gamepad library to present as a controller.
It is a wired build, not a plug-and-play commercial gamepad: the custom PCB, switches, and joystick modules must be assembled, and the controller sketch must be uploaded to the board. Sharma’s project page documents the design and build.
Controls, parts, and assembly
The sketch reads four analog inputs for the two sticks, calibrates their centers when it starts, and maps twelve digital inputs to gamepad buttons. The project’s listed parts are specific to this PCB-based build:
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#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
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- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
- SparkFun Pro Micro, 5 V / 16 MHz
- Two generic analog joystick modules
- Ten 12 mm pushbutton switches
- Custom PCB and female header pins
- Soldering iron
The parts list specifies ten physical switches, while the sketch maps twelve digital inputs. The project describes these as twelve gamepad buttons; it does not explain the relationship between the switch count and the full set of mapped inputs in a way that establishes twelve separate physical switches.
Assembly involves soldering the switches and joystick modules to the PCB. Sharma notes that the joystick mounting holes need drilling and that he corrected an inverted vertical switch position during assembly, so the PCB fit and orientation deserve attention before soldering.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
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- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Uploading the controller sketch
- Assemble and solder the components to the custom PCB, checking the joystick mounting and switch orientation.
- Open the project sketch in Arduino IDE and ensure the required Gamepad library is included.
- In Arduino IDE, select the Arduino Pro Micro board and the COM port assigned to it.
- Upload the sketch. The firmware reads the stick axes, calibrates their center at startup, and assigns the digital inputs to gamepad buttons.
Use the board specified by the project as the reference when selecting parts. Substitutions should be checked for 5 V and 16 MHz operation, USB HID support, physical footprint, joystick mounting and pinout, and switch fit on the PCB; matching only one of those characteristics does not establish that a replacement will work.
Compatibility: what the tutorial does and does not establish
Sharma reports checking the controller’s button and joystick inputs in device properties, then using it in his Recalbox retro-gaming setup. He writes that it worked “without any tweaks” in that setup. This is his account of a particular configuration, not independent testing across current operating systems, Recalbox versions, or games.
Rank #3
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- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
For GTA V, Sharma reports that the controller was not accepted by default. He says manually mapping inputs through an Xbox 360 controller emulator enabled use in that game. The tutorial does not establish that the same workaround applies to other games, emulator versions, or operating systems.
Consequently, treat this as a DIY USB HID controller whose recognition and game mapping may vary. Confirm that your target system detects the Pro Micro as a gamepad and check the game’s input settings; a game may require a separate mapping tool or may not support this setup.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
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- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Who should build it
This project is most suitable for someone comfortable soldering and working from a custom PCB, who wants a modifiable two-stick controller and can troubleshoot input mapping. It is a less suitable choice if you need an assured, broadly compatible controller without assembly or software configuration.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
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