Donkey Kong Free Play and High Score Save Kit
Product information "Donkey Kong Free Play and High Score Save Kit"
HighScoreSaves Donkey Kong Free Play and High Score Save Kit
Upgrade a 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, and optional Wi-Fi leaderboard support.
This kit continues to use the original Nintendo arcade hardware and original Z80 processor. Standard Donkey Kong gameplay, controls, timing, graphics, and sound remain unchanged when the optional practice and gameplay-modification features are disabled.
Play without coins while retaining optional coin operation.
Permanently stores the Top 5 scores and player initials.
Practice selected stages and reduce gameplay speed while training.
Submit qualifying scores to the HighScoreSaves online leaderboard.
A Donkey Kong-Only Upgrade for Original Nintendo Hardware
This product is the standard HighScoreSaves Donkey Kong kit. It enhances the original Donkey Kong game without turning the board into a multigame system.
It does not add D2K: Jumpman Returns, Pauline graphics, Donkey Kong Remix, or the larger 3DK Rearranged game collection. Those versions are available as separate products for owners who want additional games or alternate Donkey Kong presentations.
Normal Donkey Kong play remains available. Practice Mode, Wild Barrels, colored training barrels, and the no-kill-screen option are selectable features that can be turned on only when desired.
Important Compatibility and Installation Notes
- Original hardware required: Designed for compatible original Nintendo Donkey Kong arcade PCBs.
- PCB stack compatibility: Supports documented two-board and four-board Donkey Kong PCB stacks.
- Original Z80 required: The Z80 processor is removed from the game PCB and installed on the kit.
- Socket requirement: No soldering is required when the Z80 is already installed in a compatible 40-pin socket.
- Soldered processor: If the Z80 is soldered directly to the PCB, a qualified arcade technician must install a compatible socket before the kit can be fitted.
- DK Remix compatibility: This kit cannot be stacked with the separate Donkey Kong Remix kit.
- PCB access required: The original board stack must be accessed to complete installation.
Free Play, Score Saving, and Display Features
- Permanent Top 5 score saving: Stores the five highest scores after power is removed.
- Player initials: Saves initials with each qualifying high score.
- Initial-entry length: Choose three-character or 12-character initials.
- Extended scoring: Supports scores above 1,000,000 points.
- Free Play: Start games without inserting coins.
- Coin operation: Continue using quarters or tokens when Free Play is disabled.
- Separate score tables: Maintain separate high-score tables for supported lives settings.
- High-score backup and restore: Use the kit menu to manage saved score data.
- Attract sounds: Configure sounds to play during 25%, 50%, or 100% of the attract rotation.
- Rotating attract displays: Uses changing attract screens rather than displaying one static screen continuously.
- Logo options: Choose the supported manufacturer or HighScoreSaves attract-screen logo.
- Upright and cocktail support: Compatible with documented upright and cocktail cabinet configurations.
On-Screen Settings and ROM Options
- On-screen DIP settings: Configure supported game settings through the kit menu instead of changing physical DIP switches.
- ROM revision selection: Choose between supported United States and Japanese Donkey Kong revisions.
- ROM Saver: The kit supplies the supported program code, allowing the original program ROMs to be removed as described in the installation guide.
- Immediate settings storage: Selected settings are retained by the kit after they are changed.
- High-score reset: Clear the saved score table through the supported settings menu.
Practice Tools and Optional Gameplay Modes
The following features are optional. Disable them to play standard Donkey Kong with its normal gameplay behavior.
- Stage Practice: Begin at the Level 4 Girder, Elevator, Rivet, or Pie Factory stage.
- Slowdown Practice: Press a Start button during supported practice play to reduce the game speed by approximately half.
- Wild Barrel Mode: Changes the barrels to the supported Type 2 barrel behavior.
- Colored Barrel Training: Uses colored barrels to help players study barrel-control techniques.
- No-Kill-Screen Mode: Allows play to continue beyond the original Donkey Kong kill screen.
Installation Information
- Installation type: Daughterboard upgrade for compatible original Nintendo Donkey Kong hardware
- Processor: Uses the original Z80 from the Donkey Kong PCB
- Soldering required: No, when the original Z80 is already socketed
- Socket needed: Compatible 40-pin Z80 socket
- PCB compatibility: Documented two-board and four-board Donkey Kong PCB stacks
- Cabinet compatibility: Documented upright and cocktail configurations
- Installation guide: Download the Donkey Kong installation guide
Optional Wi-Fi Leaderboard Support
The standard version permanently saves scores and initials locally on the kit. The optional 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi version also submits supported completed scores to the HighScoreSaves online leaderboard after initials are entered.
Wi-Fi is not required to use Free Play, save scores locally, change settings, or use the practice features.
Donkey Kong Kit FAQ
How many high scores does the kit save?
It permanently stores the Top 5 scores and their associated player initials.
Does it support both Free Play and coin operation?
Yes. Free Play can be enabled for coin-free operation, or the cabinet can continue accepting quarters or tokens.
Does the kit change normal Donkey Kong gameplay?
Standard gameplay remains unchanged when the optional practice tools, barrel modes, and no-kill-screen setting are disabled.
What does Practice Mode provide?
It allows players to begin on selected Level 4 stages and use the supported slowdown function for focused training.
Can this kit be stacked with Donkey Kong Remix?
No. The standard HighScoreSaves Donkey Kong kit cannot be stacked with the separate Donkey Kong Remix kit.
Does installation require soldering?
Not when the original Z80 is already installed in a compatible 40-pin socket. A qualified technician must install a socket when the processor is soldered directly to the PCB.
Does the standard kit require Wi-Fi?
No. The standard version saves scores and settings locally. Wi-Fi is an optional feature for online leaderboard submission.
Is this the D2K, Pauline, Remix, or 3DK version?
No. This is the standard Donkey Kong-only HighScoreSaves kit. D2K, Pauline, Remix, and 3DK versions are separate products.
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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.