The SparkFun gamer:bit is a fun-filled “carrier” board for the micro:bit that, when combined with the micro:bit, provides you with a fully functional game system. Designed in a similar form factor to the classic Nintendo NES controller, the gamer:bit is equipped with a four-direction “D-pad” on the left side of the board and two action buttons on the right side of the board. The two push buttons on the micro:bit in the center function as start and select.

The gamer:bit connects to the micro:bit via an edge connector in the center of the board, making setup easy. This creates a handy way to swap out micro:bits for programming, while still providing reliable connections to all of the different pins on the micro:bit. SparkFun has also included several poke home connectors on the back of the board that correspond to each button on the gamer:bit, allowing you to use external parts to control your game!