# Maketato - A DIY, Pico-based handheld students can build **URL:** \ **Category:** Arcade\ **Created:** [October 4, 2024, 3:50pm UTC](https://forum.makecode.com/t/maketato-a-diy-pico-based-handheld-students-can-build/30976 "2024-10-04T15:50:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![macifom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3ec8ea/32.png) [@macifom](https://forum.makecode.com/u/macifom)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2024, 3:50pm UTC](https://forum.makecode.com/t/maketato-a-diy-pico-based-handheld-students-can-build/30976/1 "2024-10-04T15:50:34Z")
This Summer I ran workshop for a handful of kids who built Pi Pico-based MakeCode Arcade handhelds and created original games for them. The kids had a blast but the ‘3D-printed Game Boy’ models I repurposed for the project were a pain to produce and assemble. To save others grief, I designed a new handheld from scratch and documented the complete build process. You can read the instructions [here](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1F3W_o1ae1DH8ZkoQVnmamVsNYcqBAD8T/view?usp=drive_link) and download the 3D models from [cults3D](https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/gadget/maketato-a-diy-handheld-for-kids-learning-game-development). If you’re an educator and want a free non-commercial license just ping me. Here’s one I printed in ‘Rainbow Fade’ for my daughter, playing the Kirby-inspired game she made: ![20240926_084242](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/uploads/makecode/original/3X/c/c/cc9425e94186544e308f84fddb30d3ddfdc7dc4f.jpeg) Here’s what the internal wiring looks like. I also designed a LiPo-powered version with USB-C charging that’s a bit thinner but I recommend this battery-powered build for younger students: ![20240925_164922](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/uploads/makecode/original/3X/c/9/c9da72d9cb51d3f754d87ed2585f66240b31413f.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![randomuser](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.makecode.com/randomuser/32/32505_2.png) [@randomuser](https://forum.makecode.com/u/randomuser)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2024, 2:06am UTC](https://forum.makecode.com/t/maketato-a-diy-pico-based-handheld-students-can-build/30976/2 "2024-10-05T02:06:49Z")
This is so cool!! ---
**Author:** ![macifom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3ec8ea/32.png) [@macifom](https://forum.makecode.com/u/macifom)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2024, 4:52pm UTC](https://forum.makecode.com/t/maketato-a-diy-pico-based-handheld-students-can-build/30976/3 "2024-10-20T16:52:48Z")
Thanks for checking it out! Would love to get your feedback on the design, build or documentation. ---
**Author:** ![Josvp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8797f3/32.png) [@Josvp](https://forum.makecode.com/u/Josvp)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2025, 10:44pm UTC](https://forum.makecode.com/t/maketato-a-diy-pico-based-handheld-students-can-build/30976/4 "2025-01-12T22:44:30Z")
Thank you very much! I built it and had my students try their games on it . It has inspired me to start making a version for rp2040-zero to create a smaller device. So far I got it working on a breadboard by patching the uf2 to use different pins for the display. ![Schermafbeelding 2025-01-12 165702](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/uploads/makecode/original/3X/2/a/2aef8c449493db3ef515920c4902feadcd153643.jpeg) ![Schermafbeelding 2025-01-12 165739](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/uploads/makecode/original/3X/7/a/7a476e8e94f140bd1f058fb9ea6ddaf1d20c541f.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Josvp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8797f3/32.png) [@Josvp](https://forum.makecode.com/u/Josvp)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2025, 5:22pm UTC](https://forum.makecode.com/t/maketato-a-diy-pico-based-handheld-students-can-build/30976/5 "2025-01-21T17:22:45Z")
This is brilliant. Thank you so much! Did you write the uf2 file yourself? Where did you find the documentation to do so? ---
**Author:** ![Josvp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8797f3/32.png) [@Josvp](https://forum.makecode.com/u/Josvp)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2025, 5:23pm UTC](https://forum.makecode.com/t/maketato-a-diy-pico-based-handheld-students-can-build/30976/6 "2025-01-21T17:23:11Z")
Progress so far: Patched Macifom’s uf2 fil using uf2 patcher. PIN\_BTN\_MENU = P\_8 PIN\_DISPLAY\_CS = P\_6 PIN\_DISPLAY\_DC = P\_5 PIN\_DISPLAY\_MOSI = P\_3 PIN\_DISPLAY\_RST = P\_4 PIN\_DISPLAY\_SCK = P\_2 PIN\_BTN\_DOWN = P\_26 PIN\_BTN\_LEFT = P\_29 PIN\_BTN\_RIGHT = P\_28 PIN\_BTN\_UP = P\_27 Made the mainboard and the buttonboard ![20250118_213925](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/uploads/makecode/original/3X/b/b/bb70d58e89d713320cd6daed061a732d2299517e.jpeg) ![20250118_210428](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/uploads/makecode/original/3X/b/5/b528cd2b1f3f39ec2021f438f573fe857c08ee17.jpeg) Dimensions now 6.5 cm x 10 cm No batteries or lipo yet, still working on the batterycase. Case is still a bit of a challenge, but getting there No batteries or lipo yet, still working on the batterycase. Great fun this. Thank you Macifom! ---
**Author:** ![Josvp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8797f3/32.png) [@Josvp](https://forum.makecode.com/u/Josvp)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2025, 5:42pm UTC](https://forum.makecode.com/t/maketato-a-diy-pico-based-handheld-students-can-build/30976/7 "2025-03-09T17:42:57Z")
New version, “peepboy slim” 😁 Dimensions: 95 x 75 x 18.5 mm Soldered version, so not as modular orreusable, but I used cheap parts. Lipo and loader included. Students loved it. ![board](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/uploads/makecode/original/3X/8/7/876379852c0c8b66d04b5b0dc5b0f6f24a0f955e.jpeg) ![in case back](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/uploads/makecode/original/3X/a/0/a00a0966e8d7f0b3e43d676f4894b64fc2428b22.jpeg) ![in_case_front](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/uploads/makecode/original/3X/c/5/c5e9e45ae4dcd92101d22facb42f2f77a10535a9.jpeg) ![in_case_side](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/uploads/makecode/original/3X/1/b/1b40efe61922209a50b91ebfba6b161aae60e8dc.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![luxregina](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.makecode.com/luxregina/32/32544_2.png) [@luxregina](https://forum.makecode.com/u/luxregina)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2026, 10:56pm UTC](https://forum.makecode.com/t/maketato-a-diy-pico-based-handheld-students-can-build/30976/8 "2026-05-31T22:56:56Z")
I’m going to try this, this summer. However, I’d like a much larger screen: can anyone recommend a screen at least twice as large compatible with that setup? (Sorry, I’m a complete noob when it comes to electronics) ---
**Author:** ![luxregina](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.makecode.com/luxregina/32/32544_2.png) [@luxregina](https://forum.makecode.com/u/luxregina)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2026, 4:10pm UTC](https://forum.makecode.com/t/maketato-a-diy-pico-based-handheld-students-can-build/30976/9 "2026-07-22T16:10:49Z")
I thought I’d post an update: been progressing with this… so far, everything runs well, but I will attempt to see how it runs on a larger screen. I may also try to dig out info about shifting this whole setup to a pico2… if anyone has any helpful guides, I’m a taker! ![PXL_20260722_141836177](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/uploads/makecode/original/3X/d/c/dc5c57ce9d188b37ab06f369718cd74b45c74d4e.jpeg) ![PXL_20260722_141716276](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/uploads/makecode/original/3X/b/d/bdaaf539809bbb91582b696c56db6d6841ebac55.jpeg) ![PXL_20260722_135813233](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/uploads/makecode/original/3X/e/0/e0fb835be68d45fb1742a3a74a592813d490ff9a.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![luxregina](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.makecode.com/luxregina/32/32544_2.png) [@luxregina](https://forum.makecode.com/u/luxregina)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2026, 3:30pm UTC](https://forum.makecode.com/t/maketato-a-diy-pico-based-handheld-students-can-build/30976/10 "2026-09-08T15:30:52Z")
Realized I’ve never posted the update on this: project finished! I ended up taking a different route than the Maketato to minimize soldering > **[Building a handheld console](http://luxregina.com/portfolio/building-a-handheld-console/)** > > Garage collective | Building a handheld console Client: Garage Collective Published: Physical project Role: Designer and Maker Context I love making games! My main job is to teach how to make games…