🎲 Retro Game: Guess the Number

🔧 Components Needed

• Arduino Board (e.g., Arduino Uno or Arduino R4)
• I2C LCD 1602 Display
• Jumper Wires
• Breadboard (optional)

📌 Wiring Connections

1. I2C LCD 1602 Display:
   • VCC: → Arduino 5V
   • GND: → Arduino GND
   • SDA: → Arduino A4 (on Uno) or corresponding SDA pin
   • SCL: → Arduino A5 (on Uno) or corresponding SCL pin

Note: The typical I2C address for these displays is 0x27. Verify with an I2C scanner if needed.

💻 Code Example

This sketch uses the LiquidCrystal_I2C library. It will generate a random number between 1 and 100, then prompt you (via the Serial Monitor) to enter guesses. Based on your input, the LCD displays hints like “Too High!” or “Too Low!” until you guess correctly.

#include <LiquidCrystal_I2C.h>

// ----- LCD Settings -----
LiquidCrystal_I2C lcd(0x27, 16, 2);  // I2C address 0x27, 16 columns, 2 rows

// Global game variables
int secretNumber;
bool gameOver = false;

void setup() {
  // Initialize Serial Monitor
  Serial.begin(9600);
  while (!Serial) { ; }  // Wait for Serial to initialize (if needed)
  
  // Initialize LCD
  lcd.init();
  lcd.backlight();
  
  // Welcome message on LCD
  lcd.clear();
  lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
  lcd.print("Guess The Number");
  lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
  lcd.print("1-100");
  
  // Seed random generator using an unconnected analog pin
  randomSeed(analogRead(0));
  
  // Generate secret number between 1 and 100
  secretNumber = random(1, 101);
  
  // Prompt in Serial Monitor
  Serial.println("Welcome to 'Guess The Number'!");
  Serial.println("I'm thinking of a number between 1 and 100.");
  Serial.println("Enter your guess:");
}

void loop() {
  if (Serial.available() > 0 && !gameOver) {
    int guess = Serial.parseInt();
    if (guess == 0) return; // Skip if no valid number entered
    
    // Clear LCD for new message
    lcd.clear();
    
    if (guess < secretNumber) {
      lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
      lcd.print("Too Low!");
      Serial.println("Too Low! Try again:");
    } 
    else if (guess > secretNumber) {
      lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
      lcd.print("Too High!");
      Serial.println("Too High! Try again:");
    } 
    else {
      lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
      lcd.print("Correct!");
      lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
      lcd.print("You Win!");
      Serial.println("Correct! You win!");
      gameOver = true;
    }
    
    // Wait a moment before next input
    delay(1500);
    
    // If game not over, re-prompt on LCD
    if (!gameOver) {
      lcd.clear();
      lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
      lcd.print("Guess 1-100");
      Serial.println("Enter your next guess:");
    }
  }
}

📋 How It Works

• Game Initialization:
  • The LCD shows a welcome message (“Guess The Number”) and indicates the range (1-100).
  • A random secret number is generated using random(1, 101).
• User Input via Serial Monitor:
  • The player enters guesses in the Serial Monitor.
  • The code reads these guesses using Serial.parseInt().
• Feedback Mechanism:
  • If the guess is too low or too high, the LCD and Serial Monitor provide feedback (e.g., “Too Low!” or “Too High!”).
  • Once the correct number is guessed, a congratulatory message is displayed, and the game ends.
• Display Update:
  • The LCD updates after each guess, ensuring that messages are clear even on the small 16×2 screen.

🎯 Enhancements & Ideas

• Reset Button:
  • Add a push button to reset the game without restarting the Arduino.
• Score Keeping:
  • Track the number of guesses and display the score.
• Multiple Levels:
  • Introduce levels where the number range increases as the player wins.
• Custom Characters:
  • Use custom characters on the LCD for fun icons (e.g., smiley faces when winning).

Enjoy building your retro, text-based game on the Arduino with the I2C LCD 1602! If you have any questions or need further tweaks, feel free to ask. Happy gaming! 😊🎮✨