Speedy Buttons
Month 1 ships Oct 19. A new kit every month. Cancel anytime.
Project Overview
Speedy Buttons is Month 4 of the Zynk Bots path: an arcade-style reflex game you build and keep. Ten light-up arcade buttons call out targets in random order, you race to hit them in time, and an LED matrix scoreboard scrolls your score while the speaker plays sound effects. Two chrome 1P/2P start buttons let you play solo or take on a friend, so the whole family can compete. You're back on the Arduino Nano, trying each part on a breadboard before assembling everything into the game's own case. Along the way you learn non-blocking timing, the trick real firmware uses to juggle many things at once. No soldering needed.
Real-World Applications
Arcade and carnival games
Arcade cabinets and carnival reaction games light up a target, start a timer and wait for a hit. That's the same game loop you write for Speedy Buttons.
Scrolling LED signs and scoreboards
Bus destination boards, shop signs and stadium scoreboards are LED matrices driven by a chip like the MAX7219 in your kit, scrolling text one column at a time.
Sports and reaction training
Athletes and race drivers train with light-up reaction pads that measure response times in milliseconds, exactly what your game measures.
Firmware that multitasks
Game consoles, cars and kitchen appliances read buttons, update displays and play sounds at the same time. They use non-blocking timing instead of waiting, the same technique you learn here.
Skills Developed
Skills you'll carry forward
Non-blocking timing and your reaction-game code return in Month 6, where you'll play head-to-head duels wirelessly between two devices.
See the month-by-month learning path →Project Prerequisites
Before starting this project, we recommend completing these foundational projects:
Months 1–3: Cyclone LED, Smart Alarm Clock and Crack-the-Code Safe (buttons, buzzer feedback and modes)
Recommended
A Windows, Mac, or Linux computer with a USB port for uploading code
Recommended
Learning Objectives
By completing this project, you will achieve the following measurable outcomes:
Drive a 32x8 LED matrix (MAX7219) over SPI to scroll text and scores
Read many buttons at once and light each arcade button on cue
Replace delay() with non-blocking millis() timing so the game never freezes
Measure human reaction time in milliseconds
Use random numbers to pick targets and build a difficulty curve
Keep score and run 1-player and 2-player modes
Add sound effects with the speaker
Assemble and power a finished arcade game
What's in the Kit
Everything you need to build your Speedy Buttons, carefully selected and packaged
Arduino Nano (USB-C)
A small, beginner-friendly programmable circuit board — the "brain" of many kit projects. Pre-soldered headers plug straight into a breadboard, and it connects to your computer with a USB-C cable.
USB-C Cable
USB-A to USB-C cable for uploading code to your board and for powering and charging your project from a computer or USB charger.
8×32 LED Matrix Display
A red LED dot-matrix display made of four 8×8 panels chained into one long 32×8 board. Shows scrolling text, simple graphics, and animations.
Speaker with Pin Connectors (52 mm, 3 W)
A 3 W / 4 Ω 52 mm speaker with male jumper pins already attached, so it plugs straight into a breadboard with no extra soldering.
Arcade Button (illuminated)
A round, light-up arcade-style button like the ones on classic arcade cabinets. Built-in LED lights up when powered. Used in the Speedy Buttons game and other interactive projects.
Player Start Buttons (chrome, illuminated)
Chrome-finish light-up arcade buttons labeled "1P" and "2P" — used to mark Start buttons on the arcade-style projects.
On / Off Rocker Switch
A snap-in rocker switch for turning a project on and off. Pre-soldered with male pin headers on the wire ends for easy plug-in to the rest of the circuit.
18650 Rechargeable Battery (2600 mAh)
Rechargeable 3.7 V / 2600 mAh lithium-ion 18650 cell, the standard power source for the portable projects. Drop it into the holder and recharge it over USB through the project's charging board.
18650 UPS Booster-Charger (15 W)
All-in-one 18650 battery board: charges the cells and boosts their output to a steady 5 V, 9 V, or 12 V (up to 3 A), with uninterrupted power while charging.
10 kΩ Resistor
A 10,000-ohm resistor. Most often used to gently "pull" an input signal up or down to a known state so the microcontroller can read buttons and sensors reliably.
Jumper Wires — M/M (20 cm)
Multi-colored Dupont jumper wires with male pins on both ends. 20 cm long, 40-wire ribbon. A little extra slack for routing around enclosures.
Jumper Wires — M/M (30 cm)
Multi-colored Dupont jumper wires with male pins on both ends. 30 cm long, 40-wire ribbon — for projects where the breadboard and the components are far apart.
Jumper Wires — M/F (20 cm)
Multi-colored Dupont jumper wires with a male pin on one end and a female socket on the other. 20 cm, 40-wire ribbon.
Jumper Wires — M/F (30 cm)
Multi-colored Dupont jumper wires with a male pin on one end and a female socket on the other. 30 cm, 40-wire ribbon — for modules mounted away from the breadboard.
Breadboard (400 holes)
A solderless prototyping board with 400 contact holes. Plug components and wires in to build circuits without permanent soldering — pull them out and reuse for the next project.
Electrical Tape
PVC insulation tape for insulating and tidying wires inside enclosures.
Double-Sided Foam Mounting Pads
Pre-cut black foam pads with strong adhesive on both sides. Peel off the backing and press to mount the circuit board, battery pack and modules securely inside the enclosure.
M3 Screw — 6 mm
Short M3 machine screw (6 mm, black zinc-plated). Standard fastener for assembling the 3D-printed enclosures.
M3 Screw — 12 mm
Longer M3 machine screw (12 mm) for stacking enclosure layers or attaching speakers and battery holders.
Hex Key (for M3 screws)
Hex (Allen) key sized for the M3 screws — included so the project can be assembled at home without buying extra tools.
Speedy Buttons — Project PCB
Custom PCB for the Speedy Buttons game. Connects the arcade buttons and their LED indicators on a single board.
Speedy Buttons — Enclosure
3D-printed case for the Speedy Buttons game, with pre-cut openings for the arcade buttons.
Course Content
Course Content Coming Soon
This project is being prepared. Course lessons and content will be available once the project is fully published.
Safety Guidelines
Please review these safety guidelines before starting your project
Designed for ages 13+. We recommend an adult is present for the first power-up, when charging the battery, and when using tools.
Disconnect power before handling
Always disconnect power sources and unplug devices before assembling, modifying, or troubleshooting electronic components.
Keep away from water and liquids
Do not use electronic components or tools near water. Keep drinks and liquids away from the work area.
Follow manufacturer instructions
Read and follow all instructions provided with kits and components. Do not exceed recommended voltage or current.
Battery care
Charge the 18650 cells only on the UPS board in the kit. Stop using them and tell an adult if a cell gets hot, swells, leaks, or is dented.
Small parts
Screws, resistors and other small components are choking hazards. Keep them away from younger siblings and pets while you build.
Tap, don't slam
Keep the game on a steady table and hit the buttons with your fingertips, not your fists. Fast is good; smashing can crack the case or pull wires loose.
Related Projects
Continue your learning journey with these recommended projects
Crack-the-Code Safe
Crack-the-Code Safe is Month 3 of the Zynk Bots path: a working, PIN-protected safe you build and keep. Type your code on the 4x4 keypad, the 16x2 screen asks for the passcode and shows the result, a servo slides the lock open, and the LED strip and buzzer react to right and wrong guesses. You move to a third microcontroller, the Arduino Uno, try each part on a breadboard, then assemble everything into the safe's own case. Along the way you write the state machine that runs it, the single most important pattern in embedded software. No soldering needed.
Smart Alarm Clock
Smart Alarm Clock is Month 2 of the Zynk Bots path: a real bedside clock you build and keep. A 2.42-inch OLED screen shows the time, date and your alarm, a real-time clock module keeps accurate time, a touch sensor and buttons set the alarm and snooze, and an LED light bar and buzzer wake you up. You move up to a second microcontroller, the ESP32, try each part on a breadboard, then assemble everything on the clock's own circuit board and case. Along the way you write the timekeeping, alarm and scheduling code yourself. No soldering needed.
Ready to Build Speedy Buttons?
Month 1 ships Oct 19. Every month after that builds on this one.