How To Build a Retro Pong Arcade Game in Python

This project includes full source code, tutorial, and step-by-step instructions.

March 25, 2025

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We’re sharing a new Python project this week, including source code and a step-by-step tutorial. We’re also going to cover how to create a URL shortener app with Python and PyQt, not to mention how to master HTML iframes, and four Python loop mistakes that everyone makes, and how to fix them.

This Week’s Resources

New Python Project: Build a Retro Pong Arcade Game

We're pumped to share this new Python project with you! This time, we're building a classic Pong Arcade Game using Python’s built-in Turtle module. It’s a great way to dive into game development fundamentals, including object movement, collision detection, and user input handling.

By the end of this step-by-step tutorial, you’ll have a fully playable Pong game, where two players can compete by controlling paddles to bounce the ball back and forth. You’ll gain hands-on experience with screen updates, event handling, and game logic, all while sharpening your Python skills.

Follow along as we break it down step by step, and we’ll provide all the code so you can customize and expand the game however you like. Let’s get started!

How to Build a URL Shortener App with Python

Want to create a real-world Python project to showcase in your portfolio? This step-by-step tutorial (less than 30 minutes) walks you through building a fully functional URL shortener app using PyQt, one of Python’s most popular GUI frameworks.

Specifically, the video covers:

  • Setting up PyQt and structuring your project

  • Creating a user-friendly GUI for URL input and output

  • Implementing URL shortening with the PyShorteners library

  • Handling user input and errors for a seamless experience

  • Adding custom styling for a modern, polished look

And make sure to check out the upcoming walkthroughs. We’ve got a fun project that creates a Python password manager coming up soon.

We will have the full walkthrough, including the full source code for the project, on Hackr.io.

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Master The HTML iframe

Want to embed external content like a pro? We just released a complete guide to the HTML iframe element, covering everything from basic usage to advanced techniques like embedding videos, interactive maps, and securing cross-origin content.

Specifically, this guide covers:

  • Embedding websites, videos, and Google Maps

  • Controlling iframe styles, borders, and scrollbars

  • Handling cross-origin security with sandbox and referrerpolicy

  • Making iframes responsive for better user experience

  • Alternatives to iframes, including AJAX, <object>, and <embed>

<iframe src="https://hackr.io" width="600" height="400" style="border: none;" title="Example Iframe"></iframe>

The HTML iframe element is a crucial tool for modern web development, enhancing interactivity and usability. Read the full guide to start embedding content seamlessly today!

Four Python Loop Mistakes Everyone Makes (Plus Fixes)

No, your Python loops aren’t just “a little inefficient”—they might be slowing down your code or even causing unexpected bugs.

In this video, we uncover four common Python loop mistakes that could be hurting your program’s performance and reliability. From modifying lists while iterating to misusing range instead of enumerate, we break down each mistake and show the Pythonic way to fix it.

Egg Prices Skyrocketed While Chicken Costs Dropped: The Poultry Puzzle

Dr. Johns shared his data science expertise as he recently analyzed egg prices (and the lingering effect of the avian flu on higher egg prices).

Dr. Johns shares the data.

To understand where we are today, we have to look back to 2022 when the avian flu outbreak led to the mass culling of over 166 million birds in the U.S. The hardest hit? Egg-laying hens. That devastation sent egg prices soaring, triggering shortages, purchase limits at grocery stores, and surcharges at restaurants.

Python RegEx | Docs With Examples

Learn Python Regex and how to use Regular Expressions (RegEx) in Python with the re module. Master pattern matching, searching, substitution, and text manipulation using metacharacters, character classes, and special functions.

hackr.io/blog/python-regex

SQL Joins | Explained With Examples

SQL joins are essential for combining data from multiple tables in relational databases. Learn the different types of joins—INNER, LEFT, RIGHT, FULL, and CROSS JOIN—with syntax, examples, and best practices for efficient data retrieval.

hackr.io/blog/sql-joins

HTML Span Tag | Docs With Examples

The HTML span element is a generic inline container used to apply styles, scripting, or interactivity to text within a webpage without affecting document layout.

hackr.io/blog/html-span-tag

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