Fight Lights Pico is a versatile, customizable LED controller written in MicroPython for the Raspberry Pi Pico. It’s designed primarily for arcade stick modders who want to integrate dynamic RGB LED effects that respond to button presses or play smooth animations.
While built with arcade sticks in mind, the flexible design makes it suitable for a wide range of applications—from full-sized arcade cabinets to any DIY project that benefits from input-driven LED feedback.
A short video showcasing some of the features to give an idea of the final look can be found here:
Note: The video shows an early version of the project—many new features and improvements have been added since!
You can also explore community-made builds and setups in the Fight Lights Gallery, featuring creative builds.
To use Fight Lights Pico, you'll need the following:
- Raspberry Pi Pico (or Raspberry Pi Pico 2)
- RGB LEDs (WS2812b/WS2812e)
- Jumper wires or other basic electronics components for wiring
- MicroPython firmware installed on your Raspberry Pi Pico
- You can download the latest version from MicroPython's official site.
- Thonny IDE (or any other IDE that supports MicroPython)
- Thonny can be downloaded from thonny.org.
- Fight Lights Pico code (this repository)
A complete step by step guide for assembly and installation, with wiring Diagrams, soldering tips and customization options can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qY4HESYdRyFT8OaB5leyHsWm4kfqoA74zqSLAdihuvo/edit?usp=sharing
It's important to note that Fight Lights Pico does not require a Brook fighting board. The code is designed to run standalone on the Raspberry Pi Pico. The Brook fighting board is used only as a means to transmit button signals to the Pico and to provide power for both the Pico and the LEDs.
As long as the button signals can be sent to the Pico—whether directly or through a different PCB—and a power source is available for both the Pico and the LEDs, a Brook board is not necessary for operation.
For any questions, feel free to join the Discord server where the community can assist:
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Configuration via User Interface
Easily configure all settings through a straightforward UI. -
Custom RGB Colors on Button Press
Choose any RGB color to light up LEDs when a button is pressed.
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Flexible LED Assignment
Assign any number of LEDs to activate on a button press.
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Random Color Assignment
Assign random colors to LEDs on button press for dynamic effects.
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Simultaneous Button Color Matching
Make multiple buttons light up with the same color when pressed simultaneously.
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Fade-In and Fade-Out Effects
Add smooth fade-in and fade-out transitions for your LED effects.
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Not Pressed LED Color Options
Choose any color (or none) for the LEDs when no buttons are pressed.
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Rainbow Effect
Select a colorful rainbow effect when buttons are not pressed.
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Temporary Background Color Disable
Disable background colors when a button is pressed for clearer focus.
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Brightness Control
Adjust brightness on bootup or during play for dynamic lighting.
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Idle Mode with Custom Animations
Set your LEDs to enter idle mode after a set time and display custom animations.
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Custom Profiles
Create multiple custom profiles and switch between them during gameplay.
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Custom Animations on Input
Add your own animations and trigger them based on specific button inputs. -
8-Way Joystick support
Recognize all 8 direction on a joystick indipendetly and assign color and LEDs. -
Button Press and Usage Logging
Keep track of button presses and the total time the arcade stick has been plugged in. -
Player LED Support
Support for player-specific LEDs for multiplayer setups. -
OLED Display Support
Compatible with OLED displays for additional information. -
OLED Animation Support
Add multi-frame animations on the OLED display for even more customization.
...and many more features to come!