Donkey Kong Junior Free Play and High Score Save Kit
Product information "Donkey Kong Junior Free Play and High Score Save Kit"
HighScoreSaves Donkey Kong Jr. Free Play and High Score Save Kit for Nintendo Arcade PCB
Upgrade a compatible original Nintendo Donkey Kong Jr. arcade PCB with Free Play, permanent Top 5 score saving, selectable initials, adjustable attract sounds, menu-driven settings, practice features, and optional Wi-Fi leaderboard support.
This arcade PCB upgrade uses the original Nintendo game hardware and Z80 processor. It preserves the original Donkey Kong Jr. gameplay, controls, timing, graphics, and sound during normal play.
Start games without coins while retaining normal coin operation.
Permanently saves the five highest scores with selectable initials.
Select stages, choose practice levels, and slow gameplay during practice.
Submit qualifying scores to the HighScoreSaves online leaderboard.
Add Score Saving and Practice Features to Donkey Kong Jr.
This HighScoreSaves kit adds battery-free storage for the Top 5 scores while continuing to use a compatible original Nintendo Donkey Kong Jr. arcade PCB, Z80 processor, controls, game program, graphics hardware, and sound hardware.
In addition to Free Play and score saving, the kit provides selectable US and Japan game revisions, level selection, dedicated practice settings, half-speed practice, separate score tables, score backup and restore, adjustable attract sounds, and optional online score submission.
This is the standard HighScoreSaves Donkey Kong Jr. upgrade. It is separate from the Donkey Kong Jr. Remix Multigame kit and the Donkey Kong Rearranged 3DKJr Multigame configuration.
HighScoreSaves Donkey Kong Jr. Kit Features
- Free Play: Start games without inserting coins while retaining normal coin and token operation.
- Permanent Score Saving: Battery-free serial EEPROM storage retains the high score table after cabinet power is turned off.
- Top 5 Scores: Permanently stores the five highest scores.
- Selectable Initials: Choose between the classic three-character initials format and the extended 12-character initials option.
- Adjustable Attract Sounds: Select attract sounds during 25%, 50%, or 100% of supported attract-mode rotations.
- On-Screen Settings: Adjust supported game and DIP-switch options through the kit menu.
- US and Japan ROM Revisions: Select between the supported United States and Japanese Donkey Kong Jr. game revisions.
- Stage Selection: Start on Vines, Chains, Mario’s Hideout, or Jump Pad through the supported selection menu.
- Practice Mode: Start at supported practice settings such as L=05 or L=09.
- Slow Down Mode: Press Start during Practice Mode to reduce gameplay to half speed.
- Separate Score Tables: Maintains independent score tables for supported two-, three-, four-, and five-life settings.
- Score Backup and Restore: Back up the current score table and restore it when needed.
- Attract-Mode Options: Reduces prolonged display of supported static attract screens while the cabinet is idle.
- Attract Logo Selection: Select a supported original-manufacturer or HighScoreSaves logo.
- ROM Saver: Supports removal of designated original program ROMs as explained in the installation guide.
- Cabinet Compatibility: Supports upright and cocktail cabinets using compatible original Nintendo Donkey Kong Jr. hardware.
Normal Play and Practice Mode
Normal gameplay continues to use the original Donkey Kong Jr. program, timing, controls, graphics, and sound. Practice features are optional and are selected through the kit menu.
Stage selection lets the player begin on the Vines, Chains, Mario’s Hideout, or Jump Pad stage. Practice settings can also start the game at supported levels such as L=05 or L=09.
During Practice Mode, the Start button can activate Slow Down Mode, reducing gameplay to half speed. This practice setting does not alter normal competitive gameplay when Practice Mode is not selected.
Hardware Compatibility
- Compatible Hardware: Compatible original Nintendo Donkey Kong Jr. arcade PCB
- Processor Requirement: Original Z80 processor from the Donkey Kong Jr. arcade board
- CPU Socket Requirement: The Z80 processor must be installed in a compatible 40-pin socket
- Cabinet Compatibility: Upright and cocktail cabinets using compatible original hardware
- Cabinet Access: Access to the arcade PCB is required during installation
- Product Scope: This kit is for the standard Donkey Kong Jr. game and does not add Donkey Kong Jr. Remix or the 3DKJr multigame
Installation Requirements
- Installation Difficulty: Easy when the original Z80 processor is already socketed
- Soldering Required: No, when the original Z80 is already installed in a compatible socket
- If the Z80 Is Soldered: A qualified arcade technician must remove the processor and install a compatible 40-pin socket before the kit can be used
- Installation Process: The original Z80 processor is transferred to the kit, and the assembled kit is installed in the vacated CPU socket
- Special Wiring: No special cabinet wiring is required for normal installation
- Installation Guide: Download the Donkey Kong Jr. Installation Guide PDF
Standard and Optional Wi-Fi Kits
The Standard Kit permanently saves scores, initials, and supported settings locally on the installed arcade PCB. It does not require an internet connection.
The optional Wi-Fi Enabled Kit includes the same local score-saving features and can also submit qualifying scores to the HighScoreSaves online leaderboard after the player enters their initials.
Wi-Fi-enabled kits connect to compatible 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi networks. Wi-Fi can be disabled without affecting local score saving or gameplay.
HighScoreSaves Donkey Kong Jr. Kit FAQ
Is this the standard Donkey Kong Jr., Remix, or 3DKJr kit?
This page is for the standard Donkey Kong Jr. kit designed and supported by HighScoreSaves. The John Kowalski Donkey Kong Jr. Remix Multigame and Donkey Kong Rearranged 3DKJr Multigame are separate products.
Which Donkey Kong Jr. revisions are included?
The kit provides selectable supported US and Japan Donkey Kong Jr. ROM revisions.
How many scores are saved?
The kit permanently stores the Top 5 scores.
Can I choose three-character or 12-character initials?
Yes. The initials option can be switched between the classic three-character format and the extended 12-character format.
Does the kit support Free Play and coin operation?
Yes. Free Play can be enabled while normal coin and token operation remains available.
Can I practice specific stages?
Yes. The supported stage-selection menu includes Vines, Chains, Mario’s Hideout, and Jump Pad.
What does Slow Down Mode do?
During Practice Mode, pressing Start can reduce gameplay to half speed for practice.
Does installation require soldering?
No soldering is required when the original Z80 processor is already socketed. If it is soldered directly to the PCB, a qualified arcade technician must install a compatible 40-pin socket first.
Does the kit maintain separate score tables?
Yes. Independent score tables are maintained for supported two-, three-, four-, and five-life settings.
What is the difference between Standard and Wi-Fi kits?
Both versions save scores locally. The Wi-Fi version can also submit qualifying scores to the HighScoreSaves online leaderboard using a compatible 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi connection.
Where can I download the installation guide?
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1 review
November 16, 2025 10:09 PM
Must have kit
Very happy that Highscoresaves makes kits for these classic arcade games. Ordered and received within a few days. Install guide is straight forward for an easy installation. The save kit works perfectly. Highly recommended!