Pygame Comparison

The Python Arcade Library has the same target audience as the well-known Pygame library. So how do they differ?

Features that the Arcade Library has that Pygame does not:

• Supports Python 3 type hinting.
• Thick ellipses, arcs, and circles do not have a moiré pattern.
• Ellipses, arcs, and other shapes can be easily rotated.
• Supports installation via standard Python package manager, using ‘pip install’
• Uses standard coordinate system you learned about in math. (0, 0) is in the lower left, and not upper left. Y-coordinates are not reversed.
• Has built-in physics engine for platformers.
• Supports animated sprites.
• API documentation for the commands is better. Many commands include unit tests right in the documentation.
• Command names are consistent. For example, to add to a sprite list you use the add() method, like any other list in Python. Pygame uses append().
• Parameter and command names are clearer. For example, open_window instead of set_mode.
• Less boiler-plate code than Pygame.
• Basic drawing does not require knowledge on how to define functions or classes or how to do loops.
• Encourages separation of logic and display code. Pygame tends to put both into the same game loop.
• Runs on top of OpenGL and Pyglet, rather than the old SDL1 library.
• With the use of sprite lists, uses the acceleration of the graphics card to improve performance.
• Lots of Example Code.

Features that Pygame has that the Arcade Library does not:

• Python 2 support
• Does not require OpenGL
• Supports older hardware like cameras, cdroms, MIDI
• Has better support for pixel manipulation in a memory buffer that isn’t displayed on screen.