What do you give a gamer on his birthday? Well, the latest console is always a good idea, but it costs an arm and a leg. A gaming platform is also great, but it’s a cliché; chances are someone already bought it from you.
But you know what you can never go wrong with? A special DIY birthday present. And to give you ideas, we compiled eight awesome DIY gadgets to gift to your gaming fan friend.
1. Mini game wheel with gas and brake pedals
Playing with a gaming wheel is a completely different experience. Force feedback, brake and steering action add to the immersion of a casual gaming session, unlike when using an old gaming rig. It’s something you have to try yourself.
That’s why a mini gaming wheel with brake pedals is a great gift idea for that gaming partner in your life. These devices cost a ton on the market, so making one for them would surely be appreciated. Look at this Hackster.io Guide for the items you will need to build one.
2. Arduino-Based Handheld Game Controller
Gamers love to play with whatever gaming controller they can get their hands on, which is why this Arduino-based gaming controller makes a great addition to your unique gifts for the gamer in your life.
It is equipped with various themed sets of letters and patterns that are incredibly stimulating to the mind. Therefore, it is also an ideal gift for children because it will keep them busy for a long time.
here is a instructables guide with more details about the construction. Check out this similar but easier to follow guide on how to make a simple portable video game with an Arduino.
3. Arduino Game Gun for PC
Games in the fighting genre like Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, Tekken, and Injustice will keep you on the edge of your seat with excitement. Add in modern features like 3D graphics, additional modes, and the most realistic fight scene options, and the experience can be quite exhilarating.
But do you know what will make a fighting game feel even more immersive? A real game gun. Look at this instructables project to learn how to build one based on Arduino. It will make an excellent gift for that gaming head in your life.
4. The world’s smallest Raspberry Pi-based gaming controller
We all have that gaming kid who never puts your phone to rest because he wants to play on it. They’re adorable, puppy-eyed, and stubborn, so it’s usually impossible to say no to their demands, but once you do, getting your phone back is always another challenge.
Unfortunately, they are usually too young to get their phone. On the bright side, you can always build one, and this TinyPi is a good start. Based on the Raspberry Pi, the TinyPi is so small that it can easily be taken anywhere. But don’t let the diminutive size fool you; It has fun games.
Look at this instructables guide for supplies and instructions. Here are more Raspberry Pi Christmas projects you can check out.
5. IKEA Lack Game Table
We are currently in the innovative era of gaming, where interactive gaming options abound. From immersive games like GTA that let you own a whole fleet of cars and even build a reality outside of reality to fighting games like Mortal Kombat, there is something for everyone.
But still, classic games like Tetris and Snake will always have a place in our hearts, and if you want, they can have a place in your living room too. But how, you ask? Well, building this IKEA Lack Table as a gift for that gaming fan in your life, of course!
It features Tetris, snake and pong shooter. Here is a Hackaday.io Guide with more details. Also, check out these awesome DIY gifts your family and friends will love.
6. Cheap DIY Arduino Game Boy
Flappy Bird is a classic and a favorite for most of us who grew up in the early days of smartphones when they couldn’t handle console-quality gaming smoothly. But even then, Flappy Bird would keep you busy for hours. The game was so addictive that the creator removed it from the App Store and Play Store to prevent overuse.
So if you know a gamer who struggles with boredom while on the go, a Flappy Bird-based gaming controller will certainly be a game-changer for them (literally). Find out how to build an Arduino-based Flappy Bird game controller just in time for your birthday by following this instructables walkthrough.
7. Arduino Pong Handheld Console
Pong, a table tennis-themed game, is among the first video games to hit the market. As a result, it took the world by storm and is still revered by gaming fans globally. Surprisingly, it wasn’t meant to be a game. It was initially created as a training exercise, but the trainee ended up making a game early and his trainers decided to turn it into a commercial product.
It was the first commercially successful video game that set the pace for other classic arcade games like Tetris. Today, there are almost endless variations, some even colored. Still, the original 2D-based pong game will always be on top, and the good news is that you can build one.
So check this out instructables project to learn how to build a portable pong console as a gift for that player you love. If the person you want to gift to is a fan of classic games, this guide to the best ESP32 game projects has more options.
8. Simple game wheel
Fancy the idea of ​​a game wheel as a birthday or Christmas gift, but lack the tools or experts to build the detailed one we initially suggested? This instructables guide You have one that you will certainly achieve, whether you have handled DIY or not.
It is based on copper wires, cardboard pieces and glue sticks. Start by twisting the copper wires together and follow the steps illustrated in the YouTube video above. The results are a game wheel so simple you wouldn’t think it’s functional, but it works well and is designed for smartphones.
Make unique gifts with your DIY skills
Take advantage of your DIY skills and make your gifts extra special for that gamer in your life. All you need is some free time, and you can build any of these DIY gifts from scratch.
We’ve given you all the good ideas, so all you have to worry about is execution. Be sure to create one and feel free to modify it to fit your needs.