You can make a small pushbutton obstacle game with an Arduino Uno and a compatible 16×2 character LCD. The display gives you two rows of 16 character cells: use custom characters for the player and terrain, scroll obstacles across the screen, and let a button trigger a jump. When the player collides with an obstacle, end the run and show a score such as distance traveled.
What the game does
The game uses the LCD as a compact two-row playfield rather than a pixel screen. Keep the player near a fixed horizontal position and represent the ground and obstacles with character cells. As time advances, shift the terrain left and add new obstacles at the right edge. A jump input changes the player’s position or animation state; if the player still overlaps an obstacle, the run ends.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Custom characters let the display show a recognizable player and terrain instead of relying only on the LCD’s built-in character set. Arduino Project Hub’s Jumpman project demonstrates this general approach, including custom glyphs, terrain movement, button input, collision checks, and distance scoring.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Parts and display choice
A reference parts list for the Arduino Project Hub project includes an Arduino Uno Rev3, an LCD 16×2, a pushbutton, an 830-contact breadboard, and a 220-ohm resistor. You will also need jumper wires to make the connections. Treat that list as a starting point: the exact contrast-control and backlight connections depend on the LCD module you have.
#1 Best Overall
- TURN CODE INTO REAL-WORLD RESULTS — Follow 22+ guided lessons to make LEDs blink, read temperature and distance, move servo and stepper motors, control an LCD and respond to joystick or IR input; ideal for a family weekend build, homeschool unit, coding club or STEM classroom
- MORE PROJECT VARIETY IN ONE ORGANIZED KIT — Includes the UNO R3 controller, LCD1602 with pre-soldered header, breadboard power module, ultrasonic and DHT11 sensors, joystick, IR receiver and remote, SG90 servo, stepper motor, relay, DC motor, fan blade, displays, LEDs, buttons, resistors and jumper wires
- START WITHOUT SOLDERING — Plug-in modules, a solderless breadboard and the pre-soldered LCD help beginners focus on wiring, code and testing; the illustrated component list makes it easier to find each part and move from one lesson to the next
- LEARN THE LOGIC, THEN CREATE YOUR OWN — Use Arduino IDE and the included example code to understand digital input and output, analog sensing, timing, motor control and display functions, then change thresholds, speeds and sequences for alarms, environmental monitors, reaction games and motion projects
- CLEAR SETUP SUPPORT FOR FIRST-TIME BUILDERS — Download the latest tutorial and code, select the UNO board and correct computer port, check component polarity and breadboard rows, and keep power-module input at 9V or below; younger learners should work with an experienced adult
| Display interface | Wiring and setup | Can the reference sketch be reused? |
|---|---|---|
| Parallel, HD44780-compatible character LCD | Uses several signal wires, including RS, Enable, and four data connections in the official LiquidCrystal example. Initialize a 16×2 display with lcd.begin(16, 2). |
This matches the parallel-interface approach documented in the reference sketch, subject to checking that your module and pin assignments match. |
| LCD with an I²C adapter | Uses a different wiring arrangement and requires an I²C-compatible library and setup for the specific adapter. | Not unchanged: the reference project and official example described here do not verify an I²C module or its library. |
The Arduino LiquidCrystal library example says the library works with displays compatible with the Hitachi HD44780 driver. A 16-pin connector is a common sign of a parallel-interface module, but check the board’s documentation rather than assuming all 16×2 displays use the same interface.
Wire and test the LCD before adding the game
Start with the display’s own documentation for its pinout, operating voltage, contrast control, and backlight. The official LiquidCrystal library example demonstrates parallel wiring through RS, Enable, and four data pins, then initializes a 16-column by two-row display.
Rank #2
- 30+ Guided Electronics Projects: Start with LEDs and build toward LCD1602 displays, RFID access, motion detection, distance sensing, motor control and environmental monitoring for STEM learning, coding clubs, classrooms and hobby projects
- 200+ Components Across 63 Types: Includes an ELEGOO UNO R3 controller, LCD1602, RC522 RFID, RTC, HC-SR501 PIR sensor, ultrasonic sensor, DHT11, GY-521, MAX7219, keypad, joystick, relay, SG90 servo, stepper motor, breadboard and more
- Begin Without Soldering: Pre-soldered modules, a solderless breadboard, organized storage case and small-parts box reduce setup time and help beginners move from lesson to lesson while keeping LEDs, ICs, wires and sensors easy to find
- Learn, Modify and Create: Program the ELEGOO UNO R3 board with Arduino IDE using the included PDF tutorial and example code, then adjust sensor thresholds, timing, display text and motor behavior to turn guided lessons into original projects
- Flexible Power and Project Setup: Includes a 9 V, 1 A power supply, breadboard power module, 9 V battery and USB cable to support controller, breadboard and module experiments without sourcing basic setup accessories separately
- Confirm the interface. Use the parallel wiring approach only if your module is compatible with the HD44780-style interface. If it has an I²C adapter, follow that adapter’s pinout and library instructions instead.
- Connect the display according to its documentation. Match each LCD signal to the pins used in your sketch. Include the module-specific power, contrast, and backlight connections; these are not universal across every board.
- Upload the minimal text example. In the Arduino IDE, open the LiquidCrystal example, set the pin assignments to match your wiring, and verify that it calls
lcd.begin(16, 2)for a 16×2 screen. - Check the result before continuing. Confirm that text appears on the intended row and that the contrast is adjusted enough to read it. If the display is blank or blocks appear, resolve wiring, pin mapping, and contrast first.
Build the game loop
Once the display reliably prints text, add the game logic in small parts. The reference project demonstrates a useful pattern for fitting a scrolling obstacle game into two rows.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstall1. Draw the player and terrain
Define custom LCD characters for the player and any terrain shapes the game needs. Keep the drawing simple: each cell is a character-sized tile, not a freely positioned pixel sprite. Reserve a player position and decide which row represents the ground and which is used during a jump.
Rank #3
- The most economical kit comes with everything compatible with Arduino to starting programming for beginners .
- This is the upgraded starter kits come with a 9V 1A Power Adapter (At least $5.99 on amazon) to replace a 9V Battery , and the Lcd1602 module come with pin header(not need to be soldered by yourself).
- Include High Quality Base Board base on Arduino UNO R3 compatible with Arduino IED and Sensors, Servo, Motor, ULN2003 driver board, lcds, etc.
- Free PDF Tutorial and Datasheet are available to download from our official website or you can contact our customer service.
- All of the Components and Integrated Circuits are individually packaged and labeled, and packing in a plastic box which is bigger enough for you.
2. Store and scroll the playfield
Represent the upper and lower terrain rows with buffers. At each movement step, shift their contents one cell to the left, then place any new obstacle at the right edge. Drawing those buffers back to the LCD creates the illusion of forward motion without moving the player across the screen.
3. Read the jump button
When the button is pressed, move the player into a jump state. Model the jump with a small sequence of states or positions, then return the player to the ground. A state-based jump makes it easier to control how long the player stays above the terrain and to distinguish a new press from a button held down.
Rank #4
![Arduino Starter Kit R4 [K000007_R4] – Learn Electronics and Coding with the UNO R4 WiFi Board, 13 Guided Projects in a Printed Book + Growing Resources Online, Official Certification Voucher](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51mjbAi4hGL._SL160_.jpg)
- LEARN ELECTRONICS AND CODING FROM SCRATCH: Start your maker journey or enhance classroom learning with the Arduino Starter Kit R4 – no prior experience required. Includes a printed project book and all components for 13 hands-on tutorials, as well as access to a growing repository of projects that will be added over time.
- POWERED BY THE ARDUINO UNO R4 WIFI BOARD: Discover modern connectivity and performance with the Arduino UNO R4 WiFi, featuring built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and full compatibility with the Arduino ecosystem.
- CERTIFICATION VOUCHER INCLUDED: Once you’ve mastered sensors, motors, displays, and logic through the projects, take the official Arduino Fundamentals certification exam with the voucher that comes with your kit.
- BONUS DIGITAL RESOURCES: Register your kit online to unlock extra projects, multilingual lessons (Italian, German, French), and exclusive online content designed by the Arduino team.
- DESIGNED FOR LEARNING AND TEACHING: Ideal for classrooms, labs, or self-learners. Combine hands-on experiments with clear explanations and an AI coding assistant to support you as you grow.
4. Detect collisions and score the run
After advancing the terrain and updating the player, check whether the player’s cell overlaps an obstacle. On collision, stop normal movement and show a game-over or restart screen. Track distance or elapsed movement steps as the score; the reference project uses distance-style scoring.
Common adaptation problems
- Blank screen or unreadable blocks: adjust the contrast connection and control, then verify power and signal wiring against the exact LCD module documentation.
- Text appears in the wrong place or not at all: compare the sketch’s RS, Enable, and data-pin assignments with the wires. Keep one pin map and update both the circuit and code together.
- The code does not match the module: a parallel LiquidCrystal sketch is not a drop-in solution for an LCD fitted with an I²C adapter. Change the library, initialization, and connection setup for that hardware.
- The game looks cramped: a 16×2 screen has only 32 character cells. Limit the number of sprite and terrain shapes and design the jump around the two available rows.
A second Arduino Project Hub project, published August 24, 2019, also describes a button-controlled game in which a player jumps over obstacles on an Uno and 16×2 LCD. It supports this as a practical project format, though project descriptions are not controlled hardware tests.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- All-in-One Starter Kit for Beginners: Part of the Powered by Arduino program, this kit includes an original Arduino UNO R4 WiFi, 300+ high-quality components, 50+ hands-on projects (30 basic, 13 fun, and 8 IoT), and 100+ free video lessons co-created with renowned educator Paul McWhorter. Designed for beginners ages 8+, it provides a complete, step-by-step path to learn Arduino, electronics, coding, and IoT. RoHS compliant for added safety and quality, it also makes a thoughtful gift for tech enthusiasts, students, and aspiring makers for birthdays, holidays, and special occasions
- Powerful Arduino Uno R4 WiFi Board: Upgraded from the Arduino Uno R3, the Arduino Uno R4 WiFi features a 32-bit processor, more memory, and built-in WiFi and Bluetooth, enabling connection to third-party apps for more interactive and practical projects.
- 300+ Components for Endless Possibilities: With 300+ components and sensors, this kit is perfect for portable projects. It features step-by-step tutorials, open-source code, and compatibility with other Arduino boards like Uno R3 and Nano, offering endless customization and learning opportunities.
- Engaging Projects for Every Skill Level: Featuring 50 projects (30 basic, 13 fun, 8 IoT) with IoT app integration like Arduino IoT Cloud , this kit supports Arduino C++ programming, making it perfect for students, teachers, and engineers to learn, code, and create at any skill level.
- Dedicated Support for Beginners: Alongside online resources and video tutorials, SunFounder provides technical support and troubleshooting forums to help beginners solve programming challenges with ease.
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.
