Over the past few years I've been playing around with building new controllers for both modern and vintage systems, mostly in the form of the C64 JoyKEY. While that project has focused on creating them without the need for a microcontroller, mainly by relying on discrete logic and plain components. For compatibility with modern systems, it's time to start looking at the GP2040 with a Raspberry Pi Pico at its core.

First step though, is a breakout board with JST-XH 2.54mm sockets for use with common Sanwa-clone kits. For durability you might prefer looking at picking up genuine parts, but as a way of getting started building your own Arcade-stick - they're a great way of getting started. Personally I started building my own sticks, simply because I prefer having the stick on the right side - you, however, can build it whichever way you want.

NB! The RGB-section for addressable LEDs does not include level translation to 5v, so make sure that your LEDs function reliably at 3.3v. Or add a commonly available level translation board between the two (usually sold as a "4ch I2C Level Translation" board).