Adafruit Fruit Jam is a credit-card–sized mini computer developed by Adafruit for electronics projects, programming, and retro-style computing. Released in 2025, it combines a powerful RP2350B microcontroller, built-in Wi-Fi, audio output, storage support, and display connectivity into a compact single-board system designed for experimentation and education. (Adafruit Learning System)
The device supports development with CircuitPython, Arduino, and other embedded platforms, allowing users to create small applications, games, or connected projects by plugging in a monitor, keyboard, and mouse. With features like NeoPixels, buttons, USB ports, and internet connectivity, it functions as a flexible DIY computing platform inspired by early personal computers of the 1970s–80s. (Adafruit Learning System)
Here at DanTheGeek.com, we have created a few applications for the Fruit Jam. This page will include those applications (coming soon).
Blog Articles
- Work in Progress: ColecoVision Game Cartridge Adapter for the Adafruit Fruit Jam
This month I started a new project and designed a PCB shield for the Adafruit Fruit Jam using KiCad. This is the first project I have designed in KiCad. I have used Eagle before but I thought I would learn using KiCad with this project. For starters, I hope to be able to read the… Read More »Work in Progress: ColecoVision Game Cartridge Adapter for the Adafruit Fruit Jam - Screensaver Bundle for the Fruit Jam OS released
A few months ago I made the suggestion on the Fruit Jam OS Github page that screensavers would be a nice edition to the Fruit Jam OS. In case you don’t know, the Fruit Jam OS runs on the Adafruit Fruit Jam and acts as a front end for launching CircuitPython applications. Well, apparently it… Read More »Screensaver Bundle for the Fruit Jam OS released - Moon Miner Learn Guide
Introduction Moon Miner is now available to play on the Adafruit Fruit Jam. It is a retro-styled arcade game reminiscent of the Lunar Lander arcade game from the 1980s. Your mission is to retrieve minerals from various moons around the solar system. It is a physics-based game, where you must navigate your rocket ship based… Read More »Moon Miner Learn Guide - Moon Miner: December Progress
I’m continuing to build the Moon Miner arcade game, a game written entirely in CircuitPython for the Adafruit Fruit Jam. Here is a list of this month’s progress: Along the way I discovered some new bugs, so I’ll be working on that, but most of the game elements are in place. Stay tuned for more… Read More »Moon Miner: December Progress - Learn Guide Now Available for CPZ Machine
A learn guide is now available for the CPZ Machine. The learn guide contains info on how to download and install the CPZ Machine on the Adafruit Fruit Jam. It also provides some history about the origins of Zork and the Z Machine. You will find the learn guide here -> https://learn.adafruit.com/zork-and-the-z-machine - Moon Miner: A CircuitPython Game for the Fruit JamMy next project after the CPZ Machine is another game. Based on the Lunar Lander arcade game from the 1980s, The object of “Moon Miner” is to collect gems from mines on the moon. It utilizes physics of gravity and propulsion to traverse the lunar surface in search of mines. Stay tuned for updates and… Read More »Moon Miner: A CircuitPython Game for the Fruit Jam
- Using CircuitPython For Running a Z Machine? Yes!
For several years I have been thinking about how cool it would be to have a CircuitPython-based Z Machine for running Zork and similar adventure games. Unfortunately, no one had written one that I know of. Then back in the spring, I saw Adafruit announce the Fruit Jam, a CircuitPython powered device that provided keyboard… Read More »Using CircuitPython For Running a Z Machine? Yes!