---

Snake Game Dot Matrix 🎮🐍

A retro Snake Game built with an Arduino Uno, MAX7219 Dot Matrix Display, Joystick Module, and Passive Buzzer for sound effects and background music. This project brings classic arcade fun into the embedded world.

✨ Features

• Snake moves with joystick controls (Up, Down, Left, Right)
• Food spawns randomly on the matrix
• Snake grows when eating food
• Collision detection (self-hit = game over)
• Event sounds: eat, game over, startup melody
• Background music that loops during gameplay
• Wrap-around map edges

---

🛠️ Technologies Used

• Arduino Uno R3 (ATmega328P)

• MAX7219 Dot Matrix (8x8)

• Joystick Module (X, Y, SW)

• Passive Buzzer

• Libraries:

  • MD_MAX72XX for display control
  • Arduino built-in tone() function for sound

---

🚀 Getting Started

Prerequisites

• Arduino IDE installed
• Install MD_MAX72XX library via Library Manager

Hardware Setup

• Connect MAX7219 → DIN=11, CS=10, CLK=13
• Connect Joystick → X=A0, Y=A1, SW=2
• Connect Buzzer → Pin 3
• Power from Arduino USB

Installation

1. Clone this repo:

   git clone https://github.com/yourusername/snake-game-dot-matrix.git
   cd snake-game-dot-matrix

2. Open the .ino file in Arduino IDE

3. Select board Arduino Uno

4. Upload to your board

---

🎮 Usage

• Move joystick to control snake direction
• Eat food to grow longer
• Avoid hitting yourself
• Game resets on collision
• Sounds indicate start, eat, and game over events

---

📂 Project Structure

Snake-Game-Dot-Matrix/
│── snake_game_dot_matrix.ino   # Main Arduino sketch
│── README.md                   # Project documentation
│── LICENSE                     # License file
│── assets/                     # (Optional) Images, diagrams

---

📦 Packaging for Distribution

• Zip the whole project folder
• Include snake_game_dot_matrix.ino, README.md, and LICENSE
• Share via GitHub release or email

---

🔮 Future Enhancements

• Add score display (using additional matrix or serial monitor)
• Speed increase as snake grows
• Multiple food types (bonus food, poison food)
• Support for larger displays (4x MAX7219 chained)
• Save high scores to EEPROM

---

📝 Changelog

v1.0.0

• Initial release
• Snake movement, food spawning, wrap-around map
• Eat sound, game-over sound, startup melody
• Background music loop during gameplay

---

💻 System Requirements

• Arduino Uno or compatible
• 5V power supply / USB power
• Arduino IDE 1.8+ or Arduino IDE 2.x

---

⚠️ Troubleshooting

• Snake not moving → Check joystick wiring (X=A0, Y=A1, SW=2)
• No sound → Verify buzzer on Pin 3, ensure it’s passive, not active
• Display blank → Check MAX7219 connections (DIN=11, CS=10, CLK=13) and external power if chaining more modules

---

🙏 Acknowledgements

• MajicDesigns/MD_MAX72XX library
• Classic Snake game inspiration
• Arduino community
• app.cirkitdesigner.com
• Nooby
• Firelink
• SBBC PC
• Rita's PC
• To my dog and cat

---

📜 License

This project is licensed under the MIT License – see the LICENSE file for details.

---