Asked by: Jill
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Kitronik :GAME ZIP 64 plus BBC micro:bit
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Description
The Kitronik :GAME ZIP 64 is the ultimate retro gaming accessory for the BBC microbit. It has been designed to be an all in one hand held gaming platform, which also includes a built in, 64 (8x8) individually addressable full colour ZIP LED, screen.
It features on-board sound, 4 x directional buttons, 2 fire buttons, haptic feedback, and breakout points so shoulder buttons or I2C devices can be added. All of these features are fully programmable. We have also included breakout points to allow for the use of larger LED screens.
All of microbits features are still available when plugged in to the :GAME ZIP 64, so your games can still make use of the LED matrix, accelerometer etc.
Power is provided via the built in 3 x AA battery cages which have been ergonomically placed to act as hand grips which makes the :GAME ZIP 64 comfortable to hold and play.
We have produced some example games in both MakeCode Blocks and MicroPython that can be freely downloaded from the resources section below so you can begin playing games straight away. If you prefer to code your own games, it also offers the perfect platform for developing and testing micro:bit games.
The Kitronik MI:pro protector cases can be used to create a game 'cartridge' that can be labeled and that will not only protect the microbit from damage, but also from accidental overwriting
Note:
- The BBC microbit is NOT included.
Features:
- All in one hand-held gaming solution for the BBC micro:bit.
- 64 individually addressable ZIP LED display screen.
- Fully programmable on-board sound, directional buttons, fire buttons, and haptic feedback.
- Breakout pads for adding shoulder buttons or I2C devices.
- Breakout pads for driving larger LED screens.
- Ergonomic design for comfortable game-play.
- Use MI:pro protector cases to create a handy game cartridge.
- It can also be coded to be a controller for your buggy or robotics projects.
Contents:
- 1 x :GAME ZIP 64 for the BBC microbit.
Video:
Requires:
- 3 x AA Batteries.
- 1 x microbit.
Buy British:
This product is designed and manufactured in the UK by Kitronik.
- Demo Code for programming in MicroPython is available from GitHub.
- :GAME ZIP 64 Lesson Plan.
- Pong Game Download.
- Snake Game Download.
- Custom Kitronik :GAME ZIP 64 MakeCode Blocks.
- Free 3D Printer & Laser Cutter Cases Downloads.
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Datasheet.
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Datasheet in French.
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Datasheet in Dutch.
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Datasheet in Danish.
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Datasheet in Swedish.
Same Day Dispatch
- Orders placed online before 3:00pm Monday - Friday (excluding public holidays and our Christmas shutdown period) are always dispatched the same day provided the goods are in stock. If the goods are not in stock we will endeavour to contact you as soon as possible to discuss a dispatch date.
UK Deliveries
- If you live on the UK mainland and don't have any large materials or lithium batteries in your order it will cost £3.95 (£4.74 including VAT) if you spend less than £40 (£48 including VAT).
- If you spend between £40 and £200 (£48 - £240.00 including VAT, excluding large materials or lithium batteries) delivery is free to most locations, £12 (£14.40 including VAT, excluding large materials or lithium batteries) to Northern Ireland and £15 (£18.00 including VAT, excluding large materials or lithium batteries) to UK remote locations. For a list of postcodes that will be charged the remote location rate: remote area list.
- If you spend over £200 (£240.00 including VAT, excluding large materials or lithium batteries) delivery is free within the UK.
Rest of the world
- These orders are sent via UPS, and the cost is dependant on the service you choose at checkout. Alternatively you can choose the free collection option and have your own courier collect it from us. International orders can only be shipped to the registered card address. Please note: International orders may be charged import duty dependant on local import laws and duty rates. These charges are usually billed to you directly from UPS.
- Delivery times vary for international orders depending on the service selected and the destination. You can see the delivery time and cost at the shipping stage, or by using the shipping estimator from within the shipping basket.
Collection
- If you would like to collect your order, or use your own courier then there is an option you can select during checkout. We do not charge a packaging or handling fee for this service, and you will receive an email when your order has been processed, you can collect half an hour after receipt of this email.
Further Information
- For information about all of the delivery options we offer see full delivery details.
A wide range of BBC micro:bit resources, what it is, the editors and using the micro:bit
A wide range of BBC micro:bit resources, what it is, the editors and using the micro:bit
We have created some fantastic free :GAME ZIP 64 cases resources to make your gamer stand out. Use a 3D printer or laser cutter to make these great cases. The LEDs used...
We have created some fantastic free :GAME ZIP 64 cases resources to make your gamer stand out. Use a 3D printer or laser cutter to make these...
We have just added our new custom :GAME ZIP 64 MakeCode Blocks to the Microsoft MakeCode Editor. They have been specifically designed to improve your coding experience. Writing games can be very challenging and...
We have just added our new custom :GAME ZIP 64 MakeCode Blocks to the Microsoft MakeCode Editor. They have been specifically designed to improve your coding experience. Writing games...
Unlock your students potential with our 5 Lesson Plans For The :GAME ZIP 64 for BBC microbit. Written by a Teacher for Teachers. They offer classroom-ready lesson plans designed specifically...
Unlock your students potential with our 5 Lesson Plans For The :GAME ZIP 64 for BBC microbit. Written by a Teacher for Teachers. They offer...
Q:
I can't get the matrix to display correctly, even if we follow the exact code in lesson 1, page 8. How do we get help?
A:
Hi Jill,
Thank you for your question, I am sorry to hear that. If you email me your code I can double check that for you and see if the version of the code is upto date?
Best Regards
Cullen
Thank you for your question, I am sorry to hear that. If you email me your code I can double check that for you and see if the version of the code is upto date?
Best Regards
Cullen
Answered by: Cullen Lewis
15-May-20
Q:
Is there a quick way to test your game whilst developing it without downloading it to the physical microbit and then plugging in to the Zip 64? The simulator on microbit makecode does not show the Zip 64 display or buttons.
Asked by: jimmy
A:
Hi Jimmy,
I am afraid there is nothing easy the simulator was created for the micro:bit foundation so is all around simulating the base micro:bit rather than add ons that we have created unfortunately.
Best Regards
Cullen
I am afraid there is nothing easy the simulator was created for the micro:bit foundation so is all around simulating the base micro:bit rather than add ons that we have created unfortunately.
Best Regards
Cullen
Answered by: Cullen Lewis
25-Apr-19
Q:
Hello, im wondering hos to download the pong game to the micro:bit. Could someone help me with my problem?
Asked by: Erik
A:
Hi Erik,
Thank you for your question hopefully we can help!
So first off go to the Game ZIP Product Page, I have linked it for you below.
https://www.kitronik.co.uk/5626-game-zip-64-for-the-bbc-microbit.html
Scroll down to resources and click on Pong Game Download that should be in green text.
This will try and download a ZIP File. Once you have the file downloaded open your download folder and right click on it. Select the option "Extract all..." This will then extract the files from the ZIP format we host them in.
Plug your micro:bit into your PC with a micro USB cable. It should appear like a USB device and you should then be able to drag and drop the newly extracted files onto the micro:bit. The yellow light on the back should flash and then the code should be downloaded.
We also have a guide on putting programmes onto the micro:bit below
https://www.kitronik.co.uk/blog/transferring-program-bbc-microbit/
Best Regards
Cullen
Thank you for your question hopefully we can help!
So first off go to the Game ZIP Product Page, I have linked it for you below.
https://www.kitronik.co.uk/5626-game-zip-64-for-the-bbc-microbit.html
Scroll down to resources and click on Pong Game Download that should be in green text.
This will try and download a ZIP File. Once you have the file downloaded open your download folder and right click on it. Select the option "Extract all..." This will then extract the files from the ZIP format we host them in.
Plug your micro:bit into your PC with a micro USB cable. It should appear like a USB device and you should then be able to drag and drop the newly extracted files onto the micro:bit. The yellow light on the back should flash and then the code should be downloaded.
We also have a guide on putting programmes onto the micro:bit below
https://www.kitronik.co.uk/blog/transferring-program-bbc-microbit/
Best Regards
Cullen
Answered by: Cullen Lewis
18-Feb-19
Q:
Is it possible to code for the microbit offline using yotta?
Asked by: Tim
A:
Hi there,
Thank you for your question you canuse Yotta offline either with GCC or ARMCC. There is a pretty good resource on the link below by the Univeristy of Lancaster around using Yotta.
https://lancaster-university.github.io/microbit-docs/offline-toolchains/
Best Regards
Cullen
Thank you for your question you canuse Yotta offline either with GCC or ARMCC. There is a pretty good resource on the link below by the Univeristy of Lancaster around using Yotta.
https://lancaster-university.github.io/microbit-docs/offline-toolchains/
Best Regards
Cullen
Answered by: Cullen Lewis
16-Aug-18
Q:
We're planning to order 7 more Game Zip boards. We'd love to buy the cases with them as the LEDs are very bright. We have a laser cutter so we could cut them ourselves, but to order the Grey Perspex Sheet the shipping to the US would probably be quite high. Is there an easy way to get the Game Zip acrylic case in a cost effective way?
Asked by: David Fisher
A:
Hi there,
I have taken a look for you and there is not much we personally can do but acrylic and perspex is a material that is sold world wide so you could pick up some more locally to yourself. That would be my suggestion and then use our codes to cut the acrylic.
Best Regards
Cullen
I have taken a look for you and there is not much we personally can do but acrylic and perspex is a material that is sold world wide so you could pick up some more locally to yourself. That would be my suggestion and then use our codes to cut the acrylic.
Best Regards
Cullen
Answered by: Cullen Lewis
24-May-18
Q:
Hello! I code for the microbit using Python and the mu code editor (codewith.mu). Is this product compatible with this editor? Thanks!
Asked by: Wendi
A:
Hi Wendi, Unfortunately at the moment there is a slight software issue with MicroPython which results in the :GAME ZIP 64 not working as excepted. Further details can be found on the product page for the item. We are hopeful that this will be resolved shortly.
Answered by: Michael Lockhart
04-May-18
Q:
When is this coming out?
Asked by: Liam
A:
Hi Liam, We have started dispatching the first Pre-Orders on Thursday, we have another 200 due back from manufacturing very shortly and they will start the testing phase which will complete back orders and provide stock. We are hopeful this should be complete by the end of this week or early next week.
Answered by: Michael Lockhart
03-Apr-18
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