Light Speed Challenge
Introduction
This Arduino-based project transforms a handful of LEDs, buttons, and a digital display into an interactive experience that tests the player’s focus and reaction speed. The game begins simply: a pulsing red LED waits for the player to press the start button. A countdown follows, and once it ends, the player enters a series of levels with increasing difficulty.
At each level, the LEDs flash in a rapid sequence, simulating a rotating visual pattern. One LED remains lit, and the player has just a fraction of a second to press the corresponding button. If successful, the level increases and the game speeds up. If not, the LEDs blink in an alternating pattern, and the final score flashes on the 4-digit display.
In addition to lights and buttons, a buzzer provides audio feedback for every action: loading sounds, level-up effects, and clear failure signals. The project integrates its components elegantly — four colored LEDs, digital input buttons, a buzzer for programmed sounds, and a TM1637 display for showing the level or score.
This game is not only fun but also a great opportunity to learn Arduino programming, basic electronics, and logical sequencing. It’s ideal for beginners who want to combine theory with hands-on application and see how a few lines of code can create a fully functional system. With a modular structure and clean code, the project is easy to customize and adapt — whether for educational lessons, STEM workshops, or tech demos.
Gameplay overview
The game begins when the player presses the red button, indicated by a blinking red LED and the glowing “RED” message on the TM1637 display. This action triggers a countdown from 3 to 1, accompanied by attention-grabbing sound cues.
Once the countdown finishes, the game enters active mode. At each level, the system displays the current level number and initiates a visual sequence: the red, yellow, green, and blue LEDs light up in rapid rotation. The rhythm is randomly selected and varies with each round, intensifying the challenge as the player progresses.
After the sequence ends, one LED remains lit — and the player must quickly press the button that matches its color. Reaction time is limited, especially at higher levels. A correct press triggers a cheerful sound, the level increases, and the game continues. A wrong or delayed response results in a failure animation: alternating LED flashes and a blinking final score on the display.
The TM1637 display provides constant visual feedback on the current level, and in case of failure, the score blinks three times to mark the end of the round. The game then resets to its initial state, ready for a new challenge.
With each level, the challenge intensifies: rotations become faster, reaction time shortens, and the suspense builds — turning this game into an excellent exercise in attention, memory, and reflexes, all built with simple components and the clear logic of an Arduino microcontroller.
How to play "Light Speed Challenge"
1. Starting the Game
The game starts when you press the red button, indicated by the blinking red LED and the glowing “RED” message on the display. A countdown from 3 to 1 begins, accompanied by sounds that grab your attention and prepare you for action.
2. The Challenge Begins
After the countdown, the game starts. The display shows the current level, and the red, yellow, green, and blue LEDs begin flashing in rapid rotation. The rhythm is randomly selected and changes each round — the further you go, the more dynamic it becomes.
3. Reaction Test
When the sequence stops, one LED remains lit. You must quickly press the button that matches its color. If you succeed, you’ll hear a cheerful sound and move to the next level. If you press the wrong button or react too slowly, you’ll hear a failure tone, the LEDs will blink alternately, and the display will show your score, flashing three times.
4. Reset & Replay
The game automatically resets to its starting position, ready for another round. Just press the red button again to jump back into the action.
5. What You Learn
Beyond the fun, the Light Speed Challenge helps you train your attention, visual memory, and reflexes. Everything is built using simple components and the beginner-friendly logic of the Arduino board.
🔌 The Circuit Diagram
At first glance, the circuit diagram might look intimidating—its lines twisting and turning like a never-ending technical tale. But don’t let appearances discourage you. We’ll walk through it together, step by step, decoding each symbol and uncovering the logic behind the layout. As we place the components onto the breadboard in a clear and intuitive way, you’ll see how quickly confusion turns into curiosity—and curiosity into confidence.
Wiring Overview: Connecting the Circuit
As you can see, the circuit is built from a series of straightforward connections between the Arduino and various components. Each wire has a purpose, and together they form the backbone of the game’s interactive experience. Here's how everything links up:
🔴 Red Button & LED
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Red Button Terminal 1 → Arduino Pin D12
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Red Button Terminal 2 → Arduino GND
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Arduino Pin D7 → Resistor R1 (Terminal 1, for Red LED)
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Resistor R1 (Terminal 2) → Positive (+) leg of Red LED
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Negative (−) leg of Red LED → Arduino GND
🟡 Yellow Button & LED
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Yellow Button Terminal 1 → Arduino Pin D6
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Yellow Button Terminal 2 → Arduino GND
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Arduino Pin D10 → Resistor R2 (Terminal 1, for Yellow LED)
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Resistor R2 (Terminal 2) → Positive (+) leg of Yellow LED
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Negative (−) leg of Yellow LED → Arduino GND
🟢 Green Button & LED
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Green Button Terminal 1 → Arduino Pin D8
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Green Button Terminal 2 → Arduino GND
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Arduino Pin D4 → Resistor R3 (Terminal 1, for Green LED)
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Resistor R3 (Terminal 2) → Positive (+) leg of Green LED
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Negative (−) leg of Green LED → Arduino GND
🔵 Blue Button & LED
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Blue Button Terminal 1 → Arduino Pin D9
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Blue Button Terminal 2 → Arduino GND
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Arduino Pin D5 → Resistor R4 (Terminal 1, for Blue LED)
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Resistor R4 (Terminal 2) → Positive (+) leg of Blue LED
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Negative (−) leg of Blue LED → Arduino GND
🔊 Speaker
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Positive (+) terminal of Speaker → Arduino Pin D12
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Negative (−) terminal of Speaker → Arduino GND
🖥️ TM1637 Display
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CLK (Terminal 1) → Arduino Pin D3
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DIO (Terminal 2) → Arduino Pin D2
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GND (Terminal 3) → Arduino GND
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VCC (Terminal 4) → Arduino 5V
Materials Needed
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Arduino Uno or a compatible equivalent board
- 4 LEDs (preferably 5mm) in different colors: red, yellow, green, and blue
- 4 momentary push buttons (normally open) that can be mounted on a breadboard
- 1 four-digit, seven-segment display controlled by a TM1637 driver chip
- a speaker for sound feedback
- 1 large breadboard (830 tie-points recommended)
- Jumper wires for all necessary connections
🛠️ Installing Components on the Breadboard
As you’ll notice, the number of electrical connections required is quite manageable. You just need to pay attention to a few key details to ensure everything is set up correctly:
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LEDs are polarized components, meaning they must be connected in the correct direction. To help guide you, we’ve labeled the legs as A (anode, +) and K (cathode, −). If installed backwards, the LEDs won’t light up.
- Push buttons have four pins arranged in a rectangular layout—not a perfect square. This means they naturally fit into the breadboard in only one orientation, without forcing them.
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Resistors are non-polarized, so they can be placed in either direction. Their role is to limit current and protect sensitive components, especially the LEDs.
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The speakers may come with colored wires. If the terminals aren’t marked, remember: the red wire typically indicates the positive side and should be connected to Pin D12, while the black wire goes to GND.
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Breadboard power rails are grouped in sets of 25 pins along the sides. To ensure consistent voltage across the board, it’s important to bridge the power rails—this keeps the power supply uniform throughout the entire length of the breadboard.
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If this is your first time using an Arduino board, you can connect everything without worry. A fresh board won’t have any preloaded programs, so there’s no risk of unexpected behavior during setup.
Source Code
Before compiling the source code, you’ll need to install a library that enables communication with the 4-digit, 7-segment display powered by the TM1637 driver chip. The library is called “TM1637”, developed by Avishay Orpaz.
To install it:
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Open the Library Manager in the Arduino IDE
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Search for “TM1637”
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Select “TM1637 by Avishay Orpaz”
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Click “INSTALL”
Note: The link opens a .ino file in a new browser tab. Since most browsers treat it as plain text, you’ll need to save it properly:
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Press Ctrl + S
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In the “Save as type” dropdown, choose “All files”
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Add the .ino extension to the filename (e.g., lightSpeedChallenge.ino). Alternatively, you can copy the entire code (Ctrl + A, then Ctrl + C), open a new sketch in the Arduino IDE, and paste it (Ctrl + V) directly.
Once your components are installed on the breadboard, simply upload the code to your Arduino board and enjoy the game! 🎮
And That’s Not All…
You can take this project to the next level by integrating all components into a custom enclosure. If you have access to a 3D printer, you can design an attractive and ergonomic case tailored to your layout and style.
No 3D printer? No problem — an ABS plastic box, commonly used in electrical installations, is a great alternative. It offers durability, safety, and a clean, professional appearance.
With a proper enclosure, your project gains not only functionality but also a presentation that truly stands out.
Explore the resources and design ideas here...
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