Weekend Projects: The Electronic Whack-a-Mole Game

It might not look like it, but this electronic Whack-a-Mole game is our most involved Weekend Project yet. The build involves over 100 individual components and also includes instructions on how to etch your own Printed Circuit Board (PCB), making this our first real Weekend Project, one that will take most makers the weekend to complete. But don’t let the build time intimidate you; the rewards are many. You’ll not only understand how to turn circuit theory into circuit reality, you’ll also have a truly addictive electronic game to show off and challenge your friends with (and you’ll learn PCB etching in the process).

Steve Hobley, who created our version of the project, shot the video below, which shows the game in action. And before you ask, yes, you will eventually lose. If you’re looking for a project to help you understand the beauty of the venerable 555 timer, and want a project that’s a little challenging, I recommend you Whack-a-Mole!

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See all of the RadioShack Weekend Projects posts (to date)

4 Responses to Weekend Projects: The Electronic Whack-a-Mole Game

Parker Miner on August 25th, 2011 at 7:11 pm said:

if i go to RadioShack and tell them i am making this project will they point me to everything i need? will they know what i am even talking about? will they have all the parts in stock?

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- Anonymous on August 25th, 2011 at 7:27 pm said:
  
  hi Parker. You can find out if your local stores have the parts you want in stock. Click through the links from our ‘Relevant parts’ list, and you can click the ‘Find it in store’ button. Type in your zip code and RadioShack will display a list of stores nearby and tell if you the part is in stock or not. If not, you can also have parts shipped to the store of your choice, from within the same window – that’s probably the most assured way to know the parts you want are where you want them. If you do decide to build the project, please send me some feedback. This project is more advanced than our others, but also more challenging
  
  Reply ↓
Anonymous on August 25th, 2011 at 11:00 pm said:

I just paíd $20.87 for an íPad 2.64GB and my boyfriend loves his Panasoníc Lumíx GF 1 Cámera that we got for $38.79 there arriving tomorrow by UP S.I will never pay such expensive retail príces in stores again. Especially when I also sold a 40 inch LCD T V to my boss for $657 which only cost me $62.81 to buy.
Here is the website we use to get it all from :
BidsBit.com

Reply ↓
Anonymous on August 25th, 2011 at 11:00 pm said:

I just paíd $20.87 for an íPad 2.64GB and my boyfriend loves his Panasoníc Lumíx GF 1 Cámera that we got for $38.79 there arriving tomorrow by UP S.I will never pay such expensive retail príces in stores again. Especially when I also sold a 40 inch LCD T V to my boss for $657 which only cost me $62.81 to buy.
Here is the website we use to get it all from :
BidsBit.com

Reply ↓