DIY Arduino Game Controller Using Arduino Uno R4

by ElectroScope Archive in Circuits > Arduino

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DIY Arduino Game Controller Using Arduino Uno R4

arduino-game-controller-cover.jpg

This guide walks you through building a simple USB game controller using an Arduino Uno R4, one analog joystick, and four push buttons. When you plug it into your computer, it behaves like a keyboard. The joystick sends arrow keys and the buttons send WASD. No drivers. No extra software.


If you follow this step by step, you should end up with a solid, usable controller you can actually play games with.

Supplies

Here’s everything I used. Nothing fancy.

  1. Arduino Uno R4
  2. Analog joystick module
  3. 4 push buttons
  4. Veroboard
  5. Jumper wires
  6. USB cable
  7. Soldering iron and solder
  8. Drill or cutter for mounting holes

Optional but helpful:

  1. Small enclosure
  2. Hot glue or spacers
  3. Multimeter

Circuit Overview

Circuit-Diagram-for-Connecting-GT511C3-Finger-Print-Sensor-with-Arduino.png

Before wiring anything, look at the circuit diagram once so you know what’s going where.

The joystick uses two analog pins. Each button goes to its own digital pin and shares ground. Internal pullups are used so no resistors are needed.

Pin Connections

This is the exact pin mapping I used. You can change it later in code if you want, but stick to this for now.

Joystick

  1. VCC → 5V
  2. GND → GND
  3. VRx → A0
  4. VRy → A1

Buttons

  1. Button 1 → D2
  2. Button 2 → D3
  3. Button 3 → D4
  4. Button 4 → D5
  5. Other leg of all buttons → GND

That’s it. Simple and clean.

Mount the Components

I started by placing everything on the veroboard before soldering anything.

  1. Position the joystick where your thumb will naturally rest
  2. Place the buttons in a comfortable layout
  3. Leave space for the Arduino headers or mounting screws

Once you’re happy with the layout, mark the holes and mount everything. If you’re using an enclosure, do a dry fit first. It saves time later.

Wiring the Joystick

The joystick is the easiest part.

  1. Solder VCC to a 5V rail
  2. Solder GND to ground
  3. Run a wire from VRx to A0
  4. Run a wire from VRy to A1

Keep the wires short and neat. Long analog wires pick up noise and cause jitter.

Wiring the Buttons

Each button has two legs. Orientation doesn’t matter.

For every button:

  1. One leg goes to its digital pin
  2. The other leg goes to ground

All grounds can be tied together on a single ground strip.

Because we’re using INPUT_PULLUP, the buttons are active LOW. That means pressing the button connects the pin to ground.

Final Checks Before Power

Before plugging anything in:

  1. Check for solder bridges
  2. Tug lightly on each wire
  3. Verify ground continuity with a multimeter
  4. Make sure no 5V line touches ground

Once that’s done, connect the Arduino to your PC with USB.

Upload the Code

This sketch makes the Arduino behave like a keyboard.

Only boards with native USB work for this. The Uno R4 does.

Core Code Snippet


#include <Keyboard.h>

const int joyX = A0;
const int joyY = A1;
const int buttonPins[4] = {2, 3, 4, 5};

const int LOW_TH = 350;
const int HIGH_TH = 670;
const char buttonKeys[4] = {'w', 'a', 's', 'd'};

Setup


void setup() {
for (int i = 0; i < 4; i++) {
pinMode(buttonPins[i], INPUT_PULLUP);
}
delay(3000);
Keyboard.begin();
}

The delay is important. It gives your computer time to detect the USB device before keyboard input starts.

Joystick Handling Logic


if (x < LOW_TH) Keyboard.press(KEY_LEFT_ARROW);
if (x > HIGH_TH) Keyboard.press(KEY_RIGHT_ARROW);
if (y < LOW_TH) Keyboard.press(KEY_UP_ARROW);
if (y > HIGH_TH) Keyboard.press(KEY_DOWN_ARROW);

Make sure you also release keys when the joystick returns to center. Otherwise keys will get stuck.

First Test

Before opening a game, test it in a text editor.

  1. Open Notepad
  2. Move the joystick
  3. You should see arrow keys repeating
  4. Press buttons and confirm WASD appears

If that works, the hardware and code are good.

Hardware Setup Reference

Full-setup-of-Arduino-Game-Controller.jpg
Hardware-Setup-of-Arduino-Game-Controller.jpg

Here’s what the assembled setup looks like.

And the full wired system.

Using It in a Game

Full-setup-used-for-Playing-Games.jpg

Most PC games already support keyboard input.

  1. Open the game settings
  2. Map movement to arrow keys
  3. Map actions to W A S D
  4. Save and start playing

Retro games, platformers, and emulators work especially well.

Common Problems and Fixes

Arduino not detected as a keyboard

  1. Make sure Uno R4 is selected
  2. Do not remove the startup delay
  3. Replug USB after flashing

Joystick moves on its own

  1. Increase the dead zone values
  2. Check for loose analog wires
  3. Make sure joystick is centered mechanically

Buttons trigger randomly

  1. Confirm one leg goes to ground
  2. Verify INPUT_PULLUP is set
  3. Check for floating wires

Keys get stuck

  1. Ensure every Keyboard.press() has a matching release
  2. Add a small delay in the loop
  3. Avoid blocking code

Game does not respond

  1. Remap keys inside the game
  2. Test in a text editor first
  3. Confirm the game supports keyboard input


Final Notes

This Arduino Game Controller works because it pretends to be a keyboard. That makes it compatible with almost everything. It’s not analog like a console gamepad, but for a lot of games, it feels solid and responsive.

Once this is working, you can expand it with:

  1. More buttons
  2. LEDs
  3. Different key mappings
  4. Wireless modules

But even as-is, this is a complete, usable build.

Plug it in. Open a game. Play.

That’s it.