This Mega project fits in the palm of your hand! You’ll have a lot of fun with all the nostalgia of a game that’s touched more than one generation.

In this game, first released for Atari in 1976, you control a bar to direct the bouncing ball to hit colored bricks. The objective of the game is to destroy all the bricks without letting the ball pass through the moving bar.

This creative little game was made with the influence of the famous Pong, one of the first video games in history, so you can also have this as a souvenir if you are a video game fan or collector.

• Who designed it: Enrique Albertos
• Core components: Elegoo Uno R3 TFT touch screen, Elegoo Mega 2560 Project
• Difficulty: Beginner
• Where to get it: Hackster

The Altair 8800 was a microcomputer developed in 1974 based on the famous Intel 8080 CPU. If you’ve ever wanted to play with this vintage computer, now you can! With an Arduino Mega, this project simulates an Altair 8800.

The Arduino Mega can accurately reflect the Altair’s front panel elements, including the lights. However, the creator does note that it runs at about 25% of the Altair’s original speed. To run it faster, you can replace the Mega with an Arduino Due in a later build; the Due supports 64 KB of emulated RAM, so it runs faster than the Mega.

Using either board, a number of Altair programs can be loaded onto the emulator. These include Pong, Altair 4K Basic, and Altair Time Sharing Basic.

• Who designed it: David Hansel
• Core components: LEDs, NPN general purpose transistor, 10k ohm resistor, 150 ohm resistor, MicroSD card
• Difficulty: Intermediate
• Where to get it: Hackster

Ever wanted to play chess on an Arduino? That would be a very specific desire, but it’s within the realm of possibility! This project is an Arduino Mega-based chess processor packed with a graphical user interface.

It’s smart enough to understand even the less-common chess moves like en passant, castling, pawn promotion, and draw.

According to the maker, this clever program relies on the Negamax algorithm, interactive deepening, and time control.

• Who designed it: Sergey_Urusov
• Core components: Touchscreen expansion shield, 100 ohm resistor, buzzer
• Difficulty: Intermediate
• Where to get it: Arduino Project Hub, Hackster

Being a Star Wars fan is no easy task. You end up tortured by countless collector’s items and cool things that you would like to have just for yourself. That’s where 3D printing comes in to make it possible for you to build anything you want. With this project, you can build your own Star Wars-style volumetric monitor!

The illusion of three-dimensional imagery is created with the help of a projector and a vibrating surface, generating a stereoscopic effect that allows an image to be viewed from any angle. Similar devices are available on the market, but they tend to be expensive. Therefore, the author of this project aimed to create a DIY version that could be made at home. Remember that synchronization is essential for proper functionality.

• Who designed it: mac70
• Core components: Custom PCB, projector, 3D printed parts
• Difficulty: Advanced
• Where to get it: Hackster

Print Them All, You Will

Free Star Wars 3D Print/STL Files: 50 Best 3D Models

As with the other projects on this list, the brain behind this pinball machine is an Arduino Mega. This impressive build was crafted through a process of woodworking, mechanical engineering, electronic tinkering, and programming.

While this build uses oak-faced plywood, it’s also possible to recreate it with laser-cut acrylic or 3D printed PLA.

The Arduino Mega is responsible for controlling the LED lighting and determining which switches are activated. It also keeps track of the score and displays it on an LCD screen. Is it a simple project? No. Is it worth it? Well, there’s a reason it’s on this list.

• Who designed it: Bob Blomquist
• Core components: 2-pin LCD display, 24-V power supply, force sensor, LEDs, switches, flipper assembly
• Difficulty: Advanced
• Where to get it: Hackster

If you’re tired of buying lots of different pedals without the effect you want or just want to have something made with your own hands, this project is perfect for getting great sound.

As it’s programmable, this guitar pedal can either simulate traditional effects or accept new ones created by you. It also has a display that shows feedback on what is active and a meter for you to adjust the intensity of the effects and other functions in real time with a graphical interface.

Create and share new effects and find your inner rock star in the notes of this cool project!

• Who designed it: electrosmash
• Core components: Arduino Mega 2560 or Arduino Mega 2560 Rev3, soldering iron
• Difficulty: Advanced
• Where to get it: Hackster

As its name implies, this is a biped robot in the form of a mini dinosaur. This project includes common components, such as an ultrasonic distance sensor and a micro servo motor.

Powered with an Arduino Mega, it’s capable of obstacle avoidance and moving left or right.

While this build is made out of cardboard, it’s also possible to customize the body and 3D print it. There are also models already created, like this Otto bot or a Minion version with arms!

• Who designed it: Renga
• Core components: 9-V battery, ultrasonic sensor, micro servo
• Difficulty: Beginner
• Where to get it: Hackster

What do you get when you combine an Arduino Mega and Fischertechnik? A car factory simulation!

This impressive robotic build includes two mini industrial robots that can assemble a toy sports car. One of the robots simulates the welding application, while the other simulates the picking and placing of the car’s bonnet onto its body.

While the welding robot is controlled with Fischertechnik’s TX controller, the 4-axis assembly robot is controlled via an Arduino Mega. You’ll also need an Arduino Micro to handle the assembly line.

• Who designed it: David
• Core components: Arduino Micro, Fischertechnik parts and controller
• Difficulty: Intermediate
• Where to get it: Hackster

If you have a busy garage and are always hungry while creating projects, this can add a good option to your environment. In addition to being a fun project, you can be bold and try to add more snack options, keep your treats safe, and even sell them to friends who visit you.

This is an advanced project that requires you to understand some concepts about cryptocurrency, electronics, and have access to a laser-cutting machine. If you’ve got those skills, don’t worry, as the author provides the codes for Arduino Mega and Wemos.

• Who designed it: Eslam Ali
• Core components: Laser cutter, Espressif Wemos D1 Mini, breadboard, capacitor 470 µF, Adafruit standard LCD
• Difficulty: Advanced
• Where to get it: Hackster

This Arduino Mega-based Nipkow display is a fun challenge for students or curious people who want to try something more interesting. All the necessary components can be 3D printed, and there’s a step-by-step guide on how to build the project.

A cool thing is that calibration and adjustment are facilitated with the functions and buttons. With that, it’s possible to produce a 32×32 pixel image that can reach 30 FPS with sharp images and good color quality.

Despite having a card reader, files need to be in binary format because the equipment doesn’t have a valid file format check in the routine. That is, the files are pulled directly from the root directory of the storage card, and you need to use the tool indicated by the creator to see photos and videos.

• Who designed it: mac70
• Core components: 3D printer, infrared sensor module, SD card SPI module, 12-V DC-motor, 12-V PWM-speed controller module, 10-W RGB LED chip
• Difficulty: Advanced
• Where to get it: Hackster

Nox is a house-wandering robot! This robot is capable of simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM), which means it can create a map of its surroundings and keep track of its location.

It’s also capable of obstacle avoidance, which is handy if you’re planning to let it roam about your house!

This robot is powered by an Arduino Mega, a Raspberry Pi, and a robotic operating system (ROS). ROS is an open-source operating system for robotics, so you can tweak it as you’d like to personalize your new friend.

• Who designed it: RobinB
• Core components: Raspberry Pi 3 B+, motor/stepper/servo shield, Microsoft Kinect sensor, geared 12-V DC motors with encoders, 10-A DC-DC buck converter
• Difficulty: Advanced
• Where to get it: Hackster

If you’ve had any experience organizing network cables, you know the pain of sorting through a disorganized rack. You also know that a good tool can make all the difference. This project allows you to turn an Arduino Mega into a cable tester for all sorts of cable types, including USB.

Included in the project are instructions for a shield to give your Mega this capability, which you can build yourself or custom order. If you want the former, you’ll only need a few components and 3D printed parts to quickly assemble this useful tool. Alternatively, a premade shield or even the complete kit can be ordered directly from the project designer on Tindie if you’d like to skip the hassle and get straight to testing!

• Who designed it: TechKiwiGadgets
• Core components: Arduino Mega shield, TFT touch screen, 3D printed parts
• Difficulty: Beginner
• Where to get it: Hackster, Instructables

Conceptualize and model your smart home projects with Arduino Mega and Blynk! This project implements the concept of a smart garage on a toy model. Using a Bluetooth module and Blynk, it’s turned into a smart device.

A security system is added with the use of an infrared motion sensor perfect for detecting humans, animals, and cars. Additionally, a visual indication system is added with the use of green and red LEDs.

• Who designed it: gabbapeople
• Core components: Bluetooth low-energy module, LEDs, servos
• Difficulty: Beginner
• Where to get it: Hackster

This next project is an elegant and modern clock that has been gaining much attention as it looks like a work of art. It displays the time by coordinated movement of block segments. At first glance, it may appear as a regular LED clock, until everything shifts and creates a delightful surprise.

To create this beautiful project, you’ll need approximately 2.4 kg of PLA in at least two different colors. It’s been recommended to use a brim to prevent the warping of the flat pieces. Other important tips include using silicone spray to lubricate the joints and gears, as well as sanding as needed to ensure smooth movement of the parts. You can choose between the 12- or 24-hour format.

• Who designed it: hans andersson
• Core components: RTC module, stepper motors, 3D printed parts
• Difficulty: Intermediate
• Where to get it: Instructables

Designers and developers are thinking of more ways to make simple everyday objects “smarter”. The SmartPill Dispenser is one such project. Firstly, this device can organize, store, and dispense pills. However, that’s not all; it also enables doctors or caretakers to remotely configure and track the medication consumption of the patient.

This is to say, a doctor or caretaker can select and adjust the dosage required from afar.

How is this done? Powered with an Arduino Mega as well as a Microchip AVR IoT board, it’s connected wirelessly to the AWS Cloud and controllable through a web application. If a patient forgets to take their medication, this will notify caretakers, too.

• Who designed it: Team MakersUPV: Mireia Flores, Isabel Fernández Palou, Javier Poveda, Pablo Fernández Silva, Jaime Laborda
• Core components: Microchip AVR IoT board, SG90 micro servos, TFT LCD touch display, 16-channel 12-bit PWM/servo driver, phototransistor IR light sensor, ultrasonic sensor
• Difficulty: Advanced
• Where to get it: Hackster

Sustainability is something we should all strive to participate in, but how can you do this in your own home without a lot of space and clutter? This project is a real composting machine that is great for making fertilizer for your vegetable garden, especially when you have no compost disposal facility near you. The device can sit under your sink, out of sight.

The project operates by separating liquids from solids using a grinder. The solid waste is directed to the composter to be transformed into fertilizer and the liquid is directed into the waste pipe. The final process is designed to promote natural degradation, closely monitoring humidity and temperature to provide an ideal environment for the microbiome. At the same time, the compost gets churned to ensure oxygen supply.

• Who designed it: Team Academic Garbage: Jinkai Qiu, Yuxi Chang, Luming Cao, Huiying Wang, Songrong QU
• Core components: Raspberry Pi 3 Model B, 2-channel SPDT relay, , stepper motor, sensors
• Difficulty: Advanced
• Where to get it: Hackster

The climate is changing at a rapid pace. It’s an observable trend from anywhere in the world, especially in certain regions where dangerous weather is becoming all the more common. Having a small weather station will not only help you decide on suitable attire for the day, but you can also use it to track weather patterns in your own town. This project has instructions for sensors to monitor temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind speed, wind direction, light intensity, and amount of rain.

When undertaking this project, keep in mind that it can consume a significant amount of power, so you’ll need a robust battery setup or a 5V power source. There are some optional components, such as the HC12 sensor, which can be used to transmit data wirelessly over longer distances. Alternatively, you can add a solar power source to keep it running. A crucial piece of advice is to ensure a thorough sealing, as it will be exposed to harsh conditions.

• Who designed it: NLD
• Core components: Arduino Mega 2560 or Atmega328P, Raspberry Pi Zero W, Raspberry Pi camera, sensors
• Difficulty: Advanced
• Where to get it: Instructables

A portable Bluetooth speaker is fun enough by itself, but this integrated LED matrix will help you enjoy your music even more and get people dancing in style.

With an elegant and smooth wood finish, this model requires a fair amount of joinery work. As a reminder, it’s important to be careful when working with dangerous tools.

While this project involves time and effort with electronics and programming, the end result is worth it. The LED matrix comes with several different visualization modes, including a fireplace setting and ones that react to your music.

The creator also includes instructions on how to make a moveable LED baffle to adjust the distance between the LED matrix and the diffuser, creating a soft light effect with a thumb screw.

• Who designed it: Modustrial Maker
• Core components: 16 x 16 LED matrix, 3″ full range speaker, 15-W Bluetooth amp board, Dayton Audio accessories pack, 1,000 mF capacitor, 330 ohm resistor, auto-gain electret microphone
• Difficulty: Advanced
• Where to get it: Instructables

Optimize water usage during showers with this project! Using an Arduino Mega, an Esp8266 module, and Amazon’s Alexa, this device controls the amount of water used during showers, avoiding wastage.

The creator demonstrates in the video that by simply commanding Alexa, he can dictate when the shower will begin, how many minutes it will last, and turn on the water heater beforehand.

Specifically, the Arduino Mega is used to control the water valve with a relay, a water flow meter, and a temperature sensor. We recommended using a water-tight enclosure for this project, as having a bunch of exposed wires next to a running shower is a safety hazard!

• Who designed it: Virgilio Enrique Aray Arteaga
• Core components: Alexa Echo Dot, Esp8266 module, TFT touch shield, wire digital temperature sensor, solderless breadboard
• Difficulty: Advanced
• Where to get it: Hackster

Grow your plants indoors with this hydroponics system created with an Arduino Mega.

Using this system, you can better care for plants by monitoring the air temperature, humidity, water temperature, pH level, and more.

Connected to ThingSpeak via an Esp8266 module, it’s also capable of data storage and analysis.

• Who designed it: Luis Antonio Martin Nuez
• Core components: Esp8266 module, Arduino Mega proto shield, 12-V 29-A power supply, HC-05 Bluetooth module, DHT22 sensor, LEDs
• Difficulty: Advanced
• Where to get it: Hackster