This desktop Cyclone recreation turns the arcade reaction game into a compact electronics project: stop a moving light on a circular track by pressing a button when it reaches the marked target. Creator mircemk’s version uses a 60-LED WS2812 ring, an Arduino Nano, a large arcade-style button, sound, and six center LEDs to show level progress.
How the homemade Cyclone game works
A light races around the ring while the player tries to stop it at the target. As the creator puts it, “The goal of the game is to stop the cycling light when it reaches the indicated (red) LED.” A successful press advances the level indicator; a miss restarts the game. The project has six levels, with the light moving faster as difficulty rises.
The first two levels have three stationary target LEDs, according to the project page; later levels have one. That change makes the target arrangement more demanding as the pace increases. Clearing all six levels also restarts the game, rather than leading to a further stage.
Hackaday’s March 20, 2022 feature describes the game as “a light racing around a circular track, which the player then has to stop at exactly the right place.”
#1 Best Overall
- Classic Arcade Experience: Enjoy 12 legendary games from 1981 on a full-size cabinet with real-feel joysticks, buttons, and authentic arcade-style gameplay
- Vibrant 17" Display: Features a crisp BOE 17" LCD screen that brings retro graphics to life with bright colors and sharp details for immersive gaming fun
- Wi-Fi Leaderboards: Connect to Wi-Fi and compete with players nationwide by posting high scores on global leaderboards—no subscription required
- Premium Retro Design: Over 5 feet tall with a sleek cabinet, light-up marquee, and faux coin door for a nostalgic look that enhances any game room or space
- Crisp Stereo Sound: Dual speakers deliver classic arcade soundtracks and effects just like you remember, bringing every game to life with rich audio
What is in this build
The project replaces a full arcade cabinet with a printed ring holder and a compact enclosure. Its listed electronics and controls are:
- Arduino Nano
- 60-LED WS2812 addressable ring
- Six-LED strip for the central level indicator
- NPN transistor
- Buzzer for sound
- Large homemade arcade button
- 5 V power supply rated for 3 A or more
Hackaday.io creator mircemk says the Arduino sits in the base. The enclosure is described as PVC board finished with self-adhesive wallpaper. The ring holder has a downloadable STL file on the project page, which also lists an Arduino code file and a schematic.
Rank #2
- 14 Classic Games Included: Play PAC-MAN, Galaga, Dig Dug, Pac-Land, Mappy, and more—14 built-in titles deliver hours of iconic retro arcade fun at home
- Authentic Arcade Experience: Real-feel joystick and buttons let you dodge ghosts, eat pellets, and chase high scores just like you did in the arcade
- Crisp 17-Inch Display: BOE color monitor brings every glowing maze and character to life with sharp visuals that stay true to the original arcade look
- Wi-Fi Leaderboards: Compete with players across the country by posting high scores online using built-in Wi-Fi—no quarters required
- Deluxe Cabinet Design: Over 5 feet tall with a light-up marquee, molded faux coin door, and sleek cabinet that adds retro style to any game room or space
Design choices to consider before adapting it
Ring size and brightness
The featured build uses 60 ring LEDs. The creator says this was a reuse of a ring from an earlier LED-clock project; an earlier oKeeg iteration used 40. Mircemk also reports lowering LED intensity because the diodes are directly visible. These are the creator’s design choices, not independently verified performance results.
Button or rotary encoder
The large homemade arcade button is the featured control. A button built into a rotary encoder is offered as an alternative, but the creator says it is more difficult to play with. That makes the arcade-style button the straightforward choice if the goal is a more familiar, immediate reaction-game control.
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- 14 Classic Games Included: Play Mortal Kombat I–3, Ultimate MK3, and 10 more retro hits like Rampage, Paperboy, and Gauntlet for nonstop arcade action
- Authentic Arcade Feel: Real-feel joysticks, responsive buttons, and dual speakers deliver a true arcade experience in the comfort of your home
- Crisp 17-Inch Display: BOE color monitor showcases every detail, from pixel-perfect punches to vibrant retro graphics, just like the original machines
- Wi-Fi With Multiplayer: Compete online with friends or players across the country using built-in Wi-Fi leaderboards and online multiplayer features
- Premium Cabinet Design: Over 5 feet tall with a sleek finish, light-up marquee, and molded faux coin door for a nostalgic look that stands out in any room
Fabrication and enclosure
The STL makes the ring holder printable, but the project page does not give print settings or compare fabrication costs. If you do not have printer access, you would need another route to fabricate the holder, such as a print service. The described PVC-board enclosure is a separate part of the build; the page does not provide a measured materials list for it.
Power and wiring
The creator specifies a 5 V supply rated at 3 A or more. Treat that as project guidance, not a universal rating for every ring or wiring arrangement: verify the actual LED ring, connectors, and wiring you choose against its expected load. The project page does not identify retail part numbers or connector details.
Rank #4
- RETRO GRAPHICS: Immerse yourself in nostalgia with the Arcade Classics Pac-Man’s classic arcade graphics that look just like the original!
- AUTHENTIC GAMEPLAY: Use the joystick to guide Pac-Man through the mazes as you collect Pac-Dots and power-ups. Just don’t get caught by those sneaky ghosts!
- FULL COLOR SCREEN: With a brighter, full color screen that makes it easy to see the characters and dots, you’ll be cruising through those mazes like a pro.
- CLASSIC MUSIC: Pac-Man fans will love the authentic music and sounds that play just like the original arcade game.
- SHARE AND COLLECT: Arcade Classics are a must-have retro toy for collectors or for anyone looking to share this classic toy with the next generation!
What the project page does—and does not—provide
The build is a useful reference for the game concept, component roles, enclosure approach, and source files. It is not a fully documented, verified step-by-step build guide: the page does not establish a complete measured bill of materials, component prices, print settings, or assembly time. Anyone reproducing it should use the listed schematic and code alongside the exact parts they select, and confirm electrical compatibility rather than assuming every nominally similar component will fit.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 13 Classic Games: Mortal Kombat, Mortal Kombat II, Mortal Kombat 3, Ultimate MK 3, Rampage, Joust, Wizard of Wor, Gauntlet, Rootbeer Tapper, Defender, Bubbles, Paperboy, Klax
- 4 Feet Tall, with 15.6” IPS Color Monitor
- Dual Speakers for crisp arcade sound
- WiFi Leaderboards to challenge the world, Online Multiplayer
- Real feel Joysticks and Buttons
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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