micro:bit Space Invaders

A Space Invaders game, running on the micro:bit with its 5x5 LED display and buttons as inputs

Chris Lovell

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Description

I am a high school computer science teacher in the UK, and in my classes, children learn coding principles by creating retro games such as pacman, space invaders, frogger and more. Creating games is a inclusive and accessible way to learn how to code - all children either play video games, or games in the physical world and I find that all children bring their ideas and experiences into their games.

This is a pure coding project - the micro:bit is a self-contained gaming machine with its two button A/B inputs, 5x5 LED display, accelerometer, speaker & microphone (both micro:bit v2 only). I have added worksheets that may be followed to code space invaders on the micro:bit and on the micro:bit website for free!

In this game, the objective is to shoot the alien ship, and avoid its bombs. The planetary defence ship is controlled by the A+B buttons. For each ship destroyed the player scores a point, and if the alien ship drops a bomb on the planetary defence ship its game over!

Details

I have found that creating retro games is a great way to engage all children with coding and creativity.

In my lessons, children may follow my worksheets to create a basic game template, and then they add in levels, scoring systems, splash screens and more to make the game their own.

These games are aimed at children learning to code, with some experience of the micro:bit and the makecode coding tools.

If you are a teacher, and planning to use the micro:bit to teach coding in your lessons I recommend that you use the micro:bit classroom tool. With this tool you can push out code directly to those learners that need more support and set coding exercises to those that require additional challenge.

Files

Space Invaders - 310724.mp4 A screen recording of me making Space Invaders on the micro:bit. Why not code along with me? MPEG-4 Video - 18.80 MB - 08/07/2024 at 14:30		Download
microbit Space Invaders Part 3.pdf Worksheet part 3 to create Space Invaders on the micro:bit Adobe Portable Document Format - 205.72 kB - 08/07/2024 at 11:31		Preview

microbit Space Invaders Part 2.pdf Worksheet part 2 to create Space Invaders on the micro:bit Adobe Portable Document Format - 134.37 kB - 08/07/2024 at 11:31		Preview

microbit Space Invaders Part 1.pdf Worksheet part 1 to create Space Invaders on the micro:bit Adobe Portable Document Format - 82.46 kB - 08/07/2024 at 11:31		Preview

Components

1 × micro:bit v1 (no sound) v2 with sound
1 × PC/Smartphone To create project and load on to micro:bit

Build Instructions

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1

To create the Space Invaders, first go to the makecode microbit coding project page

Click here to access the micro:bit coding page: https://makecode.microbit.org/
2

Create a new project, and follow the instructions in worksheet pdf part 1, part 2 and part 3

You will find worksheet pdfs attached to this project
3

Find an example completed project here:

https://makecode.microbit.org/S77702-10819-99017-56038

View all 3 instructions

Discussions

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A curious experiment to see how it would run.

micro:bit Space Invaders

Description

Details

Files

Space Invaders - 310724.mp4