TinyCircuits Pocket Arcade User manual
POCKET ARCADE ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
byTinyCircuitsStaff
May16,2018
UNPACKING
Upon opening your new PocketArcade, you'll want to make sure that you have the
following:
1. Nine(9)piecesofAcrylic(withprotectivepapercovering)
2. Thecircuitboardwithintegratedscreenandprocessor
3. Asetofbuttons
4. Ahardwarekit(containingfourscrewsandfournuts)
5. Lithium‐Polymerbattery
6. Speaker
7. AlanyardStrap
ELECTRONICS ASSEMBLY
The first step will be to assemble the electronic components and give them a quick test.
Start by connecting the battery to the connector labeled "BATT". The speaker connector is
the same size and shape, so make sure to not mix them up. Plug the speaker into the
connector on the processor board labeled "SPKR".
Don't worry if you get the two different connectors mixed up. Plugging the battery into the
speaker connector or the speaker into the battery connector won't damage anything.
Give the electronics a quick test by switching on the power. You should see the screen light
up with the TinyCircuits logo, then move to pre-loaded games menu. Use the joystick to
scroll between the games. TinyShooteris a great game for quickly testing all of the
controls. Use the left push button to select the game, and the right push button to insert a
coin and start the game. Push the directional pad in each direction and watch the space
craft to ensure that the up, down, left, and right controls all function. Push the right push
button to fire the lasers, and listen for the sound effects. If you don't hear anything, check
that the audio switch is in the ON position and that the speaker connector is fully inserted. If
the speaker seems quiet, don't worry; it will be louder once it's inside the acrylic case.
NOTE:
oWetesteachandeveryPocketArcadethoroughlybeforeshippingtoensureallpartsare
functional.Thistestistomakesureyouhaveeverythingconnectedproperly.
oTheSilkscreenfortheVolumeControlSwitchisbackwards.Wheninthe"OFF"position,
thesoundisactuallyon.
ACRYLIC PREPARATION
With the electronics functioning properly, we can prepare the acrylic. The Acrylic comes
with a protective paper coating. Peel back the paper from both sides to reveal the crystal
clear acrylic parts.
FULL ASSEMBLY
Now that you have the electronics ready, and the acrylic prepared, we will begin
assembling.
Start by pealing the protective film off of the screen.
Next, place the button holder layer on the front of the circuit board. You can tell it apart
from the top layer because the buttons will fall straight through this layer. They will not fit
completely through the top layer.
Next, place the buttons in their spots. Make sure that the flat sides of the buttons are facing
the circuit board.
Now it's time to put the top layer on, over the buttons.
Place the four (4) screws down through the top two layers and the circuit board.
Flip it over to the back. Pushing the battery and speaker towards the middle of the board
makes the next steps a bit easier.
Identify the first back layer. You can tell them from the other split layer because these have
very short overhangs on the bottom to clear the switches and SD card slot. Place them onto
the screws and slide them against the circuit board.
Next, peal the white backing off of the speaker to expose the adhesive. Stick the speaker
onto the circuit board in the flat, clear spot where there are no components.
Find the other split layer, place them on the screws and slide them against the previous
layer.
Next, place the two hollow layers onto the screws. They are both the same.
Finally, place the back piece onto the screws, and finish it off with the four nuts. You can
tighten the nuts with your finger nails, or a pair of tweezers or small pliers. Don't over tighten
them though! the acrylic could crack if the nuts are too tight.
Now you're ready to play some games! If you're bored with the preloaded games, load up a
MicroSD card with some more, they're free!
GOING FURTHER
With your PocketArcade assembled, you can enjoy the preloaded games, download our
latest game releases for free from our website, or use our online tutorial to learn how
to developyourveryowngame for the TinyArcade! As always, if you have any questions
https://tinycircuits.com/blogs/learn/pocket‐arcade‐assembly‐instructions/12‐13‐18
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