Arduino Project

Arduino Virtual Pet with LED Matrix

Kit purchase

Looking for parts? Check out our all-in-one kits below — packed with components, beginner-friendly guides, and tons of fun.

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Name	Includes Arduino board	PURCHASE LINK
Elite Explorer Kit	Arduino Uno R4 WiFi	BUY
3 in 1 Ultimate Starter Kit	Arduino Uno R4 Minima	BUY
Ultimate Sensor Kit	Arduino Uno R4 Minima	BUY
Universal Maker Sensor Kit	×	BUY

Course Introduction

In this project, you’ll use an Arduino R4 UNO, an OLED display, buttons, a buzzer, and EEPROM to create an interactive virtual pet game.

Navigate menus to feed, play, dress, or put your pet to sleep, with animations displayed on the OLED. Button inputs control actions, while the buzzer provides audio feedback. The pet’s stats (hunger, happiness, sleep) are saved in EEPROM for persistence between sessions.

Note

If this is your first time working with an Arduino project, we recommend downloading and reviewing the basic materials first.

1.1 Install Arduino IDE(Important)
1.2 Introduction of Arduino IDE

Required Components

In this project, we need the following components:

SN	COMPONENT INTRODUCTION	QUANTITY	PURCHASE LINK
1	Arduino UNO R4 Minima	1	BUY
2	USB Type-C cable	1	×
3	Breadboard	1	BUY
4	Wires	Several	BUY
5	Button	4	BUY
6	OLED Display Module	1	BUY
7	Active Buzzer	1	×

Wiring

BitFriend_bb.png__PID:f31789dd-2560-479a-a4be-1ca65e567a87

Common Connections:

OLED Display Module
SDA: Connect to A4 on the Arduino.
SCK: Connect to A5 on the Arduino.
GND: Connect to breadboard’s negative power bus.
VCC: Connect to breadboard’s red power bus.

Button
button1: Connect to the breadboard’s negative power bus, and the other end to 2 on the Arduino board.
button2: Connect to the breadboard’s negative power bus, and the other end to 10 on the Arduino board.
button3: Connect to the breadboard’s negative power bus, and the other end to 11 on the Arduino board.
button4: Connect to the breadboard’s negative power bus, and the other end to 12 on the Arduino board.

Active Buzzer
＋: Connect to 3 on the Arduino.
－: Connect to breadboard’s negative power bus.

Writing the Code

Note
You can copy this code into the Arduino IDE.
Use the C code BitFriend . You can click here BitFriend.zip to download it.
To install the library, use the Arduino Library Manager and search for Adafruit SSD1306 and Adafruit GFX and EEPROM and install it.
Don’t forget to select the board(Arduino UNO R4 Minima) and the correct port before clicking the Upload button.

#include <Adafruit_GFX.h>
#include <Adafruit_SSD1306.h>
#include <EEPROM.h>
#include "Scrolling_menu.h"
#include "Alegotchi.h"
#include "Sprites.h"

// OLED display dimensions
#define SCREEN_WIDTH 128
#define SCREEN_HEIGHT 64

// Button pins
#define SWITCH_SCREEN 2   // Screen on/off toggle button
#define LEFT          10  // Menu left
#define RIGHT         12  // Menu right
#define SELECT        11  // Menu select

// Buzzer pin and tone definitions
#define BUZZER_PIN     3
#define TONE_CONN_FREQ 1000  // Menu navigation & toggle feedback (Hz)
#define TONE_CONN_DUR   80   // Duration in ms
#define TONE_JUMP_FREQ 1500  // Animation end feedback
#define TONE_JUMP_DUR  120
#define TONE_FART_FREQ  400  // Wake-up feedback
#define TONE_FART_DUR  150
#define TONE_WARN_FREQ  600  // Warning feedback for low stats
#define TONE_WARN_DUR  200

Adafruit_SSD1306 display(SCREEN_WIDTH, SCREEN_HEIGHT);

// Tamagotchi states: 0=Home, 1=Sleep, 2=Dress, 3=Stats
int state = 0;

// Menu labels and icons
char menuSections[][20] = {"Cut","Dress","Eat","Stats","Play","Sleep"};
const unsigned char* menuIcons[]      = { beard_icon, dress_icon, eat_icon, stats_icon, play_icon, sleep_icon };
const unsigned char* bodyArray[]      = { myBitmapbody_01, myBitmapbody_02, myBitmapbody_03, myBitmapbody_04 };
const unsigned char* menuDressIcons[] = { backHome, myBitmapbody_01, myBitmapbody_02, myBitmapbody_03, myBitmapbody_04 };

// Scrolling menu objects for main and dress menus
Scrolling_menu menu(58, 32, 6);
Scrolling_menu menuDress(58, 32, 5);

// Variables to hold EEPROM-loaded stats
bool sleeping;
int  sleep_val;
int  happiness;
int  hunger;
int  beardLength;
int  expression;
int  clothing;
int  age;

// Create Tamagotchi object with dummy initial values; will reassign in setup()
Alegotchi alegotchi(false, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0);

// === New screen toggle debounce & edge-detect variables ===
bool displayEnabled       = true;
bool lastRawState         = HIGH;              // Last raw reading from the switch pin
bool buttonState          = HIGH;              // Debounced button state
unsigned long lastDebounceTime = 0;
const unsigned long debounceDelay = 50;        // Debounce time in ms

// Input debouncing for menu buttons
bool pressed = false;

// Animation variables for sprite wiggle
int spriteOffset = -1;
unsigned long lastAnimTime = 0;
const unsigned long animInterval = 200;  // Change sprite every 200ms

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);

  // Initialize OLED display
  if (!display.begin(SSD1306_SWITCHCAPVCC, 0x3C)) {
    Serial.println("I2C ERROR");
    while (true);
  }

  // Configure button pins
  pinMode(SWITCH_SCREEN, INPUT_PULLUP);
  pinMode(LEFT, INPUT_PULLUP);
  pinMode(RIGHT, INPUT_PULLUP);
  pinMode(SELECT, INPUT_PULLUP);

  // Configure buzzer pin
  pinMode(BUZZER_PIN, OUTPUT);

  // Load stats from EEPROM
  sleeping    = EEPROM.read(0);
  sleep_val   = EEPROM.read(1);
  happiness   = EEPROM.read(2);
  hunger      = EEPROM.read(3);
  EEPROM.get(10, age);
  beardLength = EEPROM.read(5);
  expression  = EEPROM.read(6);
  clothing    = EEPROM.read(7);

  // Reassign tamagotchi object with loaded stats
  alegotchi = Alegotchi(sleeping, sleep_val, happiness, hunger, age, beardLength, expression, clothing);

  // Clear initial display
  display.clearDisplay();
  display.display();
  delay(200);
}

void loop() {
  // ===== New "press once to toggle" debounce & edge-detect logic =====
  int raw = digitalRead(SWITCH_SCREEN);
  if (raw != lastRawState) {
    lastDebounceTime = millis();
  }
  if (millis() - lastDebounceTime > debounceDelay) {
    if (raw != buttonState) {
      buttonState = raw;
      if (buttonState == LOW) {
        displayEnabled = !displayEnabled;
        tone(BUZZER_PIN, TONE_CONN_FREQ, TONE_CONN_DUR);
        if (!displayEnabled) {
          display.clearDisplay();
          display.display();
        }
      }
    }
  }
  lastRawState = raw;

  // If display is off, skip rendering and logic
  if (!displayEnabled) return;

  // ===== Original state machine & rendering logic =====
  stateSelection();
  render();
  delay(10);
}

void stateSelection() {
  if      (state == 0) homeFunc();
  else if (state == 1) sleepFunc();
  else if (state == 2) dressFunc();
  else if (state == 3) statsFunc();
}

void render() {
  display.clearDisplay();
  switch (state) {
    case 0:
      displayAle();
      displayMenuFunc();
      displayStats();
      break;
    case 1:
      displaySleep();
      break;
    case 2:
      displayMenuDress();
      break;
    case 3:
      displayAge();
      break;
  }
  display.display();
}

void homeFunc() {
  if (!pressed) {
    if (digitalRead(SELECT) == LOW) {
      pressed = true;
      tone(BUZZER_PIN, TONE_CONN_FREQ, TONE_CONN_DUR);
      changeState(menuSections[menu.activeSection]);
    } else if (digitalRead(LEFT) == LOW) {
      pressed = true;
      tone(BUZZER_PIN, TONE_CONN_FREQ, TONE_CONN_DUR);
      menu.moveLeft();
    } else if (digitalRead(RIGHT) == LOW) {
      pressed = true;
      tone(BUZZER_PIN, TONE_CONN_FREQ, TONE_CONN_DUR);
      menu.moveRight();
    }
  } else if (digitalRead(SELECT) == HIGH && digitalRead(LEFT) == HIGH && digitalRead(RIGHT) == HIGH) {
    pressed = false;
  }
}

void sleepFunc() {
  if (!alegotchi.sleeping) changeState("Home");
  if (!pressed && digitalRead(SELECT) == LOW) {
    pressed = true;
    tone(BUZZER_PIN, TONE_FART_FREQ, TONE_FART_DUR);
    alegotchi.updateSleeping();
    alegotchi.updateHappiness(-3);
    changeState("Home");
  } else if (digitalRead(SELECT) == HIGH && digitalRead(LEFT) == HIGH && digitalRead(RIGHT) == HIGH) {
    pressed = false;
  }
}

void dressFunc() {
  if (!pressed) {
    if (digitalRead(SELECT) == LOW) {
      pressed = true;
      tone(BUZZER_PIN, TONE_CONN_FREQ, TONE_CONN_DUR);
      if (menuDress.activeSection != 0) {
        alegotchi.updateClothing(menuDress.activeSection - 1);
      }
      changeState("Home");
    } else if (digitalRead(LEFT) == LOW) {
      pressed = true;
      tone(BUZZER_PIN, TONE_CONN_FREQ, TONE_CONN_DUR);
      menuDress.moveLeft();
    } else if (digitalRead(RIGHT) == LOW) {
      pressed = true;
      tone(BUZZER_PIN, TONE_CONN_FREQ, TONE_CONN_DUR);
      menuDress.moveRight();
    }
  } else if (digitalRead(SELECT) == HIGH && digitalRead(LEFT) == HIGH && digitalRead(RIGHT) == HIGH) {
    pressed = false;
  }
}

void statsFunc() {
  if (!pressed && digitalRead(SELECT) == LOW) {
    pressed = true;
    tone(BUZZER_PIN, TONE_CONN_FREQ, TONE_CONN_DUR);
    changeState("Home");
  } else if (digitalRead(SELECT) == HIGH && digitalRead(LEFT) == HIGH && digitalRead(RIGHT) == HIGH) {
    pressed = false;
  }
}

void changeState(const char section[]) {
  display.invertDisplay(true);
  delay(50);
  display.invertDisplay(false);

  if      (!strcmp(section,"Sleep")) {
    state = 1;
    alegotchi.updateSleeping();
    alegotchi.updateHappiness(2);
    alegotchi.updateSleep(1);
  } else if (!strcmp(section,"Play")) {
    alegotchi.updateHappiness(4);
    alegotchi.updateSleep(-2);
    alegotchi.updateHunger(-2);
    displayPlay();
  } else if (!strcmp(section,"Stats")) {
    state = 3;
  } else if (!strcmp(section,"Eat")) {
    alegotchi.updateHunger(5);
    alegotchi.updateHappiness(1);
    displayEat();
  } else if (!strcmp(section,"Cut")) {
    alegotchi.updateBeardLength(0);
    if (alegotchi.beardLength >= 24) alegotchi.updateHappiness(10);
    displayCut();
  } else if (!strcmp(section,"Dress")) {
    state = 2;
  } else if (!strcmp(section,"Home")) {
    state = 0;
  }
}

void displayMenuFunc() {
  int y = 17, h = 16;
  display.setTextSize(1);
  display.setTextColor(SSD1306_WHITE, SSD1306_BLACK);
  display.setCursor(menu.x + 19, y + 4);
  display.println(menuSections[menu.prevSection]);
  display.drawBitmap(menu.x, y + 3, menuIcons[menu.prevSection], 10, 10, SSD1306_WHITE);
  y += h;
  display.drawRoundRect(menu.x - 5, y, 73, 16, 3, SSD1306_WHITE);
  display.setCursor(menu.x + 19, y + 4);
  display.println(menuSections[menu.activeSection]);
  display.drawBitmap(menu.x, y + 3, menuIcons[menu.activeSection], 10, 10, SSD1306_WHITE);
  y += h;
  display.setCursor(menu.x + 19, y + 4);
  display.println(menuSections[menu.nextSection]);
  display.drawBitmap(menu.x, y + 3, menuIcons[menu.nextSection], 10, 10, SSD1306_WHITE);
}

void displayAle() {
  unsigned long now = millis();
  if (now - lastAnimTime >= animInterval) {
    lastAnimTime = now;
    spriteOffset = -spriteOffset;
  }
  display.drawRoundRect(0, 16, 50, 48, 5, SSD1306_WHITE);
  display.fillRect(10, 18, 32, 46, SSD1306_BLACK);
  display.drawBitmap(10, 18 + spriteOffset, bodyArray[alegotchi.clothing], 32, 46, SSD1306_WHITE);
  display.drawBitmap(10, 18, feet_bg, 32, 46, SSD1306_BLACK);
  display.drawBitmap(10, 18, feet, 32, 46, SSD1306_WHITE);
  display.drawBitmap(10, 18 + spriteOffset, head_bg, 32, 46, SSD1306_BLACK);
  display.drawBitmap(10, 18 + spriteOffset, head, 32, 46, SSD1306_WHITE);
  if (alegotchi.beardLength >= 24) {
    display.drawBitmap(10, 18 + spriteOffset, beard_bg, 32, 46, SSD1306_BLACK);
    display.drawBitmap(10, 18 + spriteOffset, beard, 32, 46, SSD1306_WHITE);
  }
  display.drawBitmap(10, 18 + spriteOffset, eyes, 32, 46, SSD1306_BLACK);
}

void displayStats() {
  display.fillRect(1, 1, 127, 15, SSD1306_BLACK);
  display.setTextSize(1);
  display.setCursor(2, 5);  display.println("H");
  display.drawRoundRect(9, 6, 27, 6, 1, SSD1306_WHITE);
  display.fillRect(10, 7,  alegotchi.mapValue(alegotchi.happiness, 27), 4, SSD1306_WHITE);
  display.setCursor(43, 5); display.println("S");
  display.drawRoundRect(50, 6, 27, 6, 1, SSD1306_WHITE);
  display.fillRect(51, 7,  alegotchi.mapValue(alegotchi.sleep, 27), 4, SSD1306_WHITE);
  display.setCursor(85, 5); display.println("F");
  display.drawRoundRect(92, 6, 27, 6, 1, SSD1306_WHITE);
  display.fillRect(93, 7,  alegotchi.mapValue(alegotchi.hunger, 27), 4, SSD1306_WHITE);
}

void displaySleep() {
  display.fillRect(0, 16, 128, 48, SSD1306_BLACK);
  display.setTextSize(1);
  display.setTextColor(SSD1306_WHITE, SSD1306_BLACK);
  display.setCursor(64 - spriteOffset, 33 - spriteOffset); display.println("Z");
  display.setCursor(59 - !spriteOffset, 46 - !spriteOffset); display.println("Z");
  display.setTextSize(2);
  display.setCursor(47 - spriteOffset, 26 - !spriteOffset); display.println("Z");
}

void displayMenuDress() {
  display.fillRect(1, 17, 127, 47, SSD1306_BLACK);
  display.drawBitmap(3, 17, menuDressIcons[menuDress.prevSection], 32, 46, SSD1306_WHITE);
  display.drawRoundRect(39, 16, 50, 48, 5, SSD1306_WHITE);
  int sx = 49;
  if (menuDress.activeSection != 0) {
    display.fillRect(sx, 18, 32, 46, SSD1306_BLACK);
    display.drawBitmap(sx, 18, menuDressIcons[menuDress.activeSection], 32, 46, SSD1306_WHITE);
    display.drawBitmap(sx, 18, feet_bg, 32, 46, SSD1306_BLACK);
    display.drawBitmap(sx, 18, feet, 32, 46, SSD1306_WHITE);
    display.drawBitmap(sx, 18, head_bg, 32, 46, SSD1306_BLACK);
    display.drawBitmap(sx, 18, head, 32, 46, SSD1306_WHITE);
    if (alegotchi.beardLength >= 24) {
      display.drawBitmap(10, 18 + spriteOffset, beard_bg, 32, 46, SSD1306_BLACK);
      display.drawBitmap(10, 18 + spriteOffset, beard, 32, 46, SSD1306_WHITE);
    }
    display.drawBitmap(sx, 18, eyes, 32, 46, SSD1306_BLACK);
  }
  display.drawBitmap(93, 17, menuDressIcons[menuDress.nextSection], 32, 46, SSD1306_WHITE);
}

void displayAge() {
  display.fillRect(0, 16, 128, 48, SSD1306_BLACK);
  display.setTextSize(1);
  display.setTextColor(SSD1306_BLACK, SSD1306_WHITE);
  display.setCursor(10, 20);
  display.print("Name");
  display.setTextColor(SSD1306_WHITE);
  display.println(" SunFounder");
  display.setCursor(10, 32);
  display.setTextColor(SSD1306_BLACK, SSD1306_WHITE);
  display.print("Age");
  display.setTextColor(SSD1306_WHITE);
  display.print(" ");
  display.print(alegotchi.age / 24);
  display.println(" days");
  display.setCursor(10, 44);
  display.setTextColor(SSD1306_BLACK, SSD1306_WHITE);
  display.print("Weight");
  display.setTextColor(SSD1306_WHITE);
  display.println(" 67 kg");
}

void selectEatFrame(int x, int y, int f) {
  const unsigned char* bmp = (alegotchi.beardLength >= 24)
    ? (f == 1 ? eat_anim_head_b_1 : eat_anim_head_b_2)
    : (f == 1 ? eat_anim_head_n_1 : eat_anim_head_n_2);
  display.drawBitmap(x, y, bmp, 45, 40, SSD1306_WHITE);
}

void displayEat() {
  int sx = 30, sy = 20;
  for (int f = 1; f <= 7; f++) {
    display.clearDisplay();
    selectEatFrame(sx, sy, (f % 2) ? 1 : 2);
    if (f == 1) display.drawBitmap(sx + 50, sy + 15, eat_anim_food_1, 15, 15, SSD1306_WHITE);
    if (f == 3) display.drawBitmap(sx + 50, sy + 15, eat_anim_food_2, 15, 15, SSD1306_WHITE);
    if (f == 5) display.drawBitmap(sx + 50, sy + 15, eat_anim_food_3, 15, 15, SSD1306_WHITE);
    display.display();
    delay(500);
  }
  tone(BUZZER_PIN, TONE_JUMP_FREQ, TONE_JUMP_DUR);
  changeState("Home");
}

void displayPlay() {
  int sx = 50, sy = 17;
  for (int i = 0; i < 2; i++) {
    display.clearDisplay(); display.drawBitmap(sx, sy, play_anim_1, 27, 48, SSD1306_WHITE); display.display(); delay(200);
    display.clearDisplay(); display.drawBitmap(sx, sy, play_anim_2, 27, 48, SSD1306_WHITE); display.display(); delay(200);
    display.clearDisplay(); display.drawBitmap(sx, sy, play_anim_3, 27, 48, SSD1306_WHITE); display.display(); delay(200);
    display.clearDisplay(); display.drawBitmap(sx, sy, play_anim_4, 27, 48, SSD1306_WHITE); display.display(); delay(200);
    display.clearDisplay(); display.drawBitmap(sx, sy, play_anim_5, 27, 48, SSD1306_WHITE); display.display(); delay(200);
  }
  tone(BUZZER_PIN, TONE_JUMP_FREQ, TONE_JUMP_DUR);
  changeState("Home");
}

void displayCut() {
  int sx = 45, sy = 24;
  for (int i = 0; i < 2; i++) {
    display.clearDisplay(); display.drawBitmap(sx, sy, cut_anim_1, 37, 28, SSD1306_WHITE); display.display(); delay(500);
    display.clearDisplay(); display.drawBitmap(sx, sy, cut_anim_2, 37, 28, SSD1306_WHITE); display.display(); delay(500);
  }
  tone(BUZZER_PIN, TONE_JUMP_FREQ, TONE_JUMP_DUR);
  changeState("Home");
}

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Arduino Project

Arduino Virtual Pet with LED Matrix

Kit purchase

Course Introduction

Required Components

Wiring

Common Connections:

Writing the Code

Arduino Project

Arduino Virtual Pet with LED Matrix

Kit purchase

Course Introduction

Required Components

Wiring

Common Connections:

Writing the Code

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