Donkey Kong Free Play and High Score Save Kit
Product information "Donkey Kong Free Play and High Score Save Kit"
The HighScoreSaves Donkey Kong Free Play and High Score Save Kit upgrades a documented compatible original Nintendo Donkey Kong arcade PCB with Free Play, permanent Top 5 score and initials saving, extended scoring, menu-driven settings, practice tools, optional gameplay modes, ROM Saver, and optional Wi-Fi leaderboard support while retaining the original Nintendo hardware and standard Donkey Kong gameplay.
Donkey Kong Compatibility & Requirements
Installation: Plug-in installation when the original Z80 is already socketed. Remove the original Z80 from the Nintendo Donkey Kong PCB, install it on the HighScoreSaves daughterboard, and install the daughterboard into the original Z80 socket. If the Z80 is soldered directly to the PCB, a qualified arcade technician must install a compatible 40-pin socket before the kit can be used.
What This Kit Adds
What's Included
- 1 × HighScoreSaves Z80 daughter PCB
Z80 processor required: transfer your current compatible Z80 to the kit or select a compatible processor option when ordering.
Standard vs. Wi-Fi Kit
Standard Kit
Saves supported scores, initials, settings, and configuration data locally on the installed Donkey Kong kit. No internet connection is required.
Wi-Fi Enabled Kit
Includes the same local features and can also submit qualifying completed scores to the HighScoreSaves online leaderboard after initials are entered.
Wi-Fi can be disabled without affecting local score saving, Free Play, settings, practice tools, optional gameplay modes, or normal Donkey Kong gameplay. Wi-Fi-enabled kits use compatible 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi networks.
Donkey Kong Kit FAQ
How do I enter the Donkey Kong kit settings menu?
Hold Player 1 Start while turning the game on, then release Player 1 Start when the on-screen prompt tells you to continue.
Does this kit change normal Donkey Kong gameplay?
Standard Donkey Kong gameplay remains available when the optional practice tools, Wild Barrel Mode, colored barrel training, and No-Kill-Screen Mode are disabled.
What does Donkey Kong Practice Mode provide?
Practice Mode can begin on supported Level 4 Girder, Elevator, Rivet, or Pie Factory stages. The supported slowdown function can also reduce gameplay speed by approximately half for focused training.
Is this the D2K, Pauline, Remix, or 3DK version?
No. This is the standard Donkey Kong-only HighScoreSaves kit. D2K, Pauline Edition, Donkey Kong Remix, and 3DK Rearranged are separate products.
Will the Wi-Fi kit still save scores if Wi-Fi is disabled?
Yes. Local score and initials saving, Free Play, settings, practice tools, optional gameplay modes, and normal gameplay continue to work when Wi-Fi is disabled or unavailable.
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1 review
July 25, 2025 1:47 AM
Worth every penny for any Donkey Kong owner
I hesitated for a while before buying this kit, but I'm glad I finally did. Installation was easier than expected, the instructions were excellent, and my original Donkey Kong PCB was up and running in no time. The free play feature is convenient, but being able to save high scores is what really makes the game more enjoyable for family and friends.
I appreciate that the kit installs without permanently modifying the original hardware, which was important to me. The quality is outstanding, shipping was fast, and everything arrived well protected. HighScoreSaves also provided excellent support when I had a compatibility question before ordering. If you own an original Donkey Kong cabinet, this is one upgrade you won't regret. Highly recommended.