Creating a Snake Game in Python

Creating a Snake Game in Python (Step-by-Step Tutorial)

Creating a Snake Game in Python is one of the most popular beginner-friendly projects for learning game development, logic building, and Python programming fundamentals. This project helps you understand how games work internally using loops, conditions, functions, and graphics.

In this tutorial, you’ll learn:

How the Snake game works
Libraries required to build the game
Complete Python code with explanation
Game logic step by step

Why Create a Snake Game in Python?

Creating a snake game in Python is a great project because it helps you:

Practice Python basics
Learn game loops and event handling
Understand collision detection
Build confidence with real projects

It’s also a commonly recommended project for beginners and students.

How the Snake Game Works (Concept)

The Snake game follows simple rules:

The snake moves continuously in one direction
Player controls the snake using arrow keys
The snake grows when it eats food
The game ends when the snake hits the wall or itself

Requirements for Creating a Snake Game in Python

To start creating a snake game in Python, you need:

Python 3.x installed
turtle module (comes pre-installed with Python)

No external libraries are required, making it beginner-friendly.

Step 1: Import Required Modules

import turtle
import time
import random

turtle → game graphics
time → delay between movements
random → random food position

Step 2: Create the Game Window

wn = turtle.Screen()
wn.title("Snake Game in Python")
wn.bgcolor("black")
wn.setup(width=600, height=600)
wn.tracer(0)

This sets up the game screen.

Step 3: Create the Snake Head

head = turtle.Turtle()
head.speed(0)
head.shape("square")
head.color("green")
head.penup()
head.goto(0, 0)
head.direction = "stop"

Step 4: Create Snake Food

food = turtle.Turtle()
food.speed(0)
food.shape("circle")
food.color("red")
food.penup()
food.goto(0, 100)

Step 5: Movement Functions

def go_up():
    if head.direction != "down":
        head.direction = "up"

def go_down():
    if head.direction != "up":
        head.direction = "down"

def go_left():
    if head.direction != "right":
        head.direction = "left"

def go_right():
    if head.direction != "left":
        head.direction = "right"

Step 6: Move the Snake

def move():
    if head.direction == "up":
        y = head.ycor()
        head.sety(y + 20)
    if head.direction == "down":
        y = head.ycor()
        head.sety(y - 20)
    if head.direction == "left":
        x = head.xcor()
        head.setx(x - 20)
    if head.direction == "right":
        x = head.xcor()
        head.setx(x + 20)

Step 7: Keyboard Controls

wn.listen()
wn.onkeypress(go_up, "Up")
wn.onkeypress(go_down, "Down")
wn.onkeypress(go_left, "Left")
wn.onkeypress(go_right, "Right")

Step 8: Main Game Loop

segments = []

while True:
    wn.update()

    # Border collision
    if head.xcor() > 290 or head.xcor() < -290 or head.ycor() > 290 or head.ycor() < -290:
        time.sleep(1)
        head.goto(0, 0)
        head.direction = "stop"
        segments.clear()

    # Food collision
    if head.distance(food) < 20:
        x = random.randint(-280, 280)
        y = random.randint(-280, 280)
        food.goto(x, y)

        new_segment = turtle.Turtle()
        new_segment.speed(0)
        new_segment.shape("square")
        new_segment.color("green")
        new_segment.penup()
        segments.append(new_segment)

    # Move body
    for i in range(len(segments) - 1, 0, -1):
        x = segments[i - 1].xcor()
        y = segments[i - 1].ycor()
        segments[i].goto(x, y)

    if len(segments) > 0:
        segments[0].goto(head.xcor(), head.ycor())

    move()
    time.sleep(0.1)

Features of This Snake Game

Smooth movement
Keyboard controls
Growing snake body
Collision detection
Simple and clean logic

Common Enhancements You Can Add

To improve your project:

Scoreboard
Game over screen
Sound effects
Increasing difficulty
Restart button

Interview Value of This Project

Creating a snake game in Python demonstrates:

Problem-solving skills
Game logic understanding
Loop and condition mastery
Real-world Python usage

This project looks great on resumes and portfolios.