Crazy Climber Free Play and High Score Save Kit
Product information "Crazy Climber Free Play and High Score Save Kit"
Crazy Climber Free Play and High Score Save Kit for Nichibutsu Arcade PCB
Upgrade your original Nichibutsu Crazy Climber arcade PCB with reliable Free Play, Top 5 score saving, serial EEPROM storage, adjustable attract sounds, copyright logo options, ROM Saver support, separate score tables, Reset Button support, Fast Boot, and optional Wi-Fi leaderboard support while preserving authentic gameplay and original arcade hardware.
Designed specifically for original Nichibutsu hardware, this plug-and-play upgrade improves long-term reliability without changing gameplay, timing, sound, controls, or the classic arcade experience collectors expect.
Play without coins while retaining optional Coin-Up operation.
Stores the Top 5 scores using reliable serial EEPROM storage.
Upload qualifying scores online to the global arcade leaderboard.
Designed for original Crazy Climber arcade PCB gameplay.
Upgrade Your Crazy Climber Arcade Experience
Restore and enhance your original Crazy Climber arcade machine with a professionally designed Free Play and High Score Save Kit built specifically for authentic Nichibutsu arcade hardware.
Original boards can lose high scores, rely on aging components, or suffer from unstable resets. This upgrade modernizes your PCB while preserving the original gameplay, sound effects, timing, controls, and arcade feel that made Crazy Climber one of the most recognizable vertical climbing arcade games ever created.
Unlike multigame systems, reproduction boards, or emulation platforms, this kit keeps your original Nichibutsu arcade PCB intact while improving long-term reliability for collectors, operators, and restoration projects.
Access the HighScoreSaves Crazy Climber Settings Menu
To access the settings menu, hold Player 1 Start while turning the cabinet on. Release the button when the on-screen prompt tells you to continue.
Why Upgrade Your Original Crazy Climber PCB?
The HighScoreSaves Crazy Climber kit adds modern convenience features while keeping the original Nichibutsu arcade board at the center of the cabinet. It is designed for collectors, operators, and restorers who want dependable score retention and easier setup without converting the cabinet to emulation or a replacement board.
Free Play helps make the cabinet easier to enjoy at home, while Coin-Up support keeps traditional operation available. The kit stores the Top 5 scores locally, supports separate score tables for different lives settings, and provides Backup and Restore options for parties, tournaments, and long-term collection use.
Included Crazy Climber Kit Features
- Easy Installation: No soldering is required when the CPU location already has a compatible socket
- Permanent Score Saving: Reliable serial EEPROM storage with no batteries or NVRAM required
- Top 5 Score Save: Stores the five highest supported scores
- Copyright Options: Select original manufacturer branding or the HighScoreSaves logo
- Attract Sounds: Adjustable at 25%, 50%, or 100% rotation
- Free Play Mode: Unlimited play without coins
- Coin-Up Support: Still accepts quarters or tokens when coin operation is enabled
- Attract Mode Protection: Helps reduce static-screen display time during idle operation
- On-Screen DIP Settings: Configure supported settings directly from the menu system
- ROM Saver: Remove designated original program ROMs when using supported ROM Saver features
- Cabinet Compatibility: Works in documented upright and cocktail cabinet configurations
- Backup and Restore: Save and restore supported scores for parties, events, and tournaments
- Separate Score Tables: Different score tables for 2, 3, 4, or 5 lives
- Reset Button: Soft restart using Player 1 Start + Player 2 Start when the option is enabled
- Fast Boot: Almost no initialization time during startup
- Optional Wi-Fi: Adds qualifying online leaderboard score submission while keeping local score saving
Installation Information
- Installation Difficulty: Easy when the processor location is already socketed
- Soldering Required: No, if the CPU location already has a compatible 40-pin socket
- Processor Requirement: Requires a standard Z80 processor
- Socketed CPU Required: Install a compatible 40-pin socket if needed
- Important: The onboard CPU cannot be used with this kit
- Cabinet Compatibility: Upright and cocktail configurations supported
- ROM Saver: Remove only the original program ROMs identified in the Crazy Climber installation guide
- Orientation Check: Verify Pin 1 orientation, socket condition, and every processor pin before restoring power
- Installation Guide: View/Download Crazy Climber Install Guide (PDF)
Important CPU and Socket Notes
- A standard Z80 processor is required for this kit.
- The onboard CPU cannot be used with this kit.
- If the required CPU location is not already socketed, a qualified arcade technician should install a compatible 40-pin socket.
- Verify processor orientation, socket condition, and every pin before applying power.
- Review the Crazy Climber installation guide before setup.
Troubleshooting
“NO CC7 ROM FOUND OR UNKNOWN DATA”
This message appears when the CC7 sound ROM is missing, corrupt, or contains unknown data.
- Hold Player 1 Start while turning the cabinet on to enter the settings menu
- Set Sound to Standard USA
- Save the settings
- The checksum will be skipped and the error will no longer appear
Optional Wi-Fi Features and Online Leaderboards
Standard kits save scores locally to the PCB. Wi-Fi is optional and is not required for normal Crazy Climber gameplay, local score saving, Free Play, Coin-Up operation, menu settings, Backup and Restore, Reset Button support, Fast Boot, or ROM Saver operation.
Upgrade to a Wi-Fi Enabled Kit to submit qualifying scores online and compete against players through the HighScoreSaves global leaderboard platform.
Crazy Climber Free Play and High Score Save Kit FAQ
How many scores are saved?
The kit stores the Top 5 supported high scores using reliable serial EEPROM storage.
Does it support Free Play and coins?
Yes. The kit supports both Free Play and Coin-Up operation.
Are there separate score tables?
Yes. Separate score tables are available for 2, 3, 4, and 5 lives.
How is the HighScoreSaves Crazy Climber settings menu opened?
Hold Player 1 Start while turning the cabinet on. Release the button when the on-screen prompt tells you to continue.
What is the Reset Button option?
When enabled, the game can be soft restarted using Player 1 Start + Player 2 Start.
Which processor does this kit require?
A standard Z80 processor is required and must be installed in a compatible socketed location. The onboard CPU cannot be used with this kit.
What does “NO CC7 ROM FOUND OR UNKNOWN DATA” mean?
This message indicates the CC7 sound ROM is missing, corrupt, or contains unknown data. Set the Sound option to Standard USA in the settings menu to bypass the checksum warning.
Will this kit change the original gameplay?
No. The kit preserves original Crazy Climber gameplay, timing, controls, and sound while adding Free Play, score saving, menu options, and related convenience features.
Is Wi-Fi required?
No. Standard kits save supported scores and settings locally. Wi-Fi is optional for online leaderboard support.
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2 reviews
June 29, 2026 8:44 PM
A must-have for Crazy Climber owners
I installed this kit in my original Crazy Climber PCB, and it worked perfectly. The instructions were clear, installation was easier than I expected, and the board booted right up. Free play is a great convenience, but the high score save feature really brings the game to life since our scores are finally preserved between power cycles.
The kit is high quality, installs without modifying the original PCB, and has been completely reliable. Shipping was fast, everything was well packaged, and customer support was excellent when I had a question before ordering. If you're restoring or maintaining an original Crazy Climber cabinet, this is an upgrade that's absolutely worth it. Highly recommended!
January 10, 2026 2:31 AM
Awesome kit!
Easy install kit and shipped fast! Will be back!