1942
Upgrade Your 1942 Arcade Experience
Download 1942 Install Guide (PDF)
Bring modern reliability to your original Capcom 1942 PCB with the 1942 Free Play and High Score Save Kit. This plug and play upgrade adds dependable score saving, free play convenience, and an on-screen settings menu so you can fine-tune game options without pulling the board or flipping DIP switches.
- Easy installation with no soldering, special wiring, or permanent board modifications
- Permanent score saving using reliable serial EEPROM storage with no batteries
- High score tracking saves the top 5 scores on-screen and up to 25 total scores
- Attract sounds can be set to Off, 25 percent, 50 percent, or 100 percent of the attract rotation
- Attract mode protection helps reduce screen burn by avoiding static screens
- Menu-driven DIP settings let you change game options on-screen
- ROM saver option allows removing original program ROMs to reduce power use
- Compatible with Upright and Cocktail arcade cabinets
- Optional Wi-Fi Enabled Upgrade — Upload your scores to your personal player page and the global 1942 leaderboard
1942 Free Play and High Score Save Kit
Customize Your 1942 Free Play and High Score Save Kit Upgrade your classic Capcom 1942 arcade machine with this Free Play and High Score Save Kit designed by HighScoreSaves for fast installation and long-term reliability. This plug and play arcade PCB upgrade adds automatic free play mode, accurate high score retention, and optional Wi-Fi features so you can manage settings and view scores without opening the cabinet. The 1942 high score save kit is built for original hardware and solves common issues such as the game not saving scores, inconsistent resets, or worn-out daughter cards. This 1942 arcade PCB upgrade kit works on authentic boards and requires no soldering, making it ideal for collectors, operators, and restoration projects. If you want the best performance upgrade for the 1942 arcade shooter, this HighScoreSaves modification provides a modern feature set while preserving the gameplay of the original Capcom vertical shooter. Looking for more information? Visit the Wi-Fi versus Standard Kit guide or download the 1942 Install Guide . Build your kit exactly how you want it. Choose a Wi-Fi Enabled Kit or a Standard Save Kit. You can also add a processor and/or a 40-pin socket—optional but recommended for easy installation. Learn More About This Kit Click a button to view details, tips, or the installation guide. This HighScoreSaves upgrade adds Free Play mode, accurate high score retention, optional Wi-Fi connectivity, and modern reliability improvements while preserving the authentic gameplay of your original 1942 arcade PCB. Main Features Easy installation: No soldering, board modifications, or special wiring—just plug and play. Permanent score saving: Reliable serial EEPROM storage (no batteries or failure-prone NVRAM). High score tracking: Saves the Top 5 scores on screen and Top 25 total scores. Attract sounds: Play sounds at 25 percent, 50 percent, or 100 percent of attract-screen rotations. Freeplay mode: Coin-free play with optional coin operation. Attract mode protection: Reduces screen burn by eliminating static screens. Menu-driven DIP settings: Change game options without opening the cabinet. ROM saver: Optionally remove original program ROMs to reduce power use. Cabinet compatibility: Works in Upright and Cocktail arcade cabinets. Additional Features Backup and restore: Save and reload high scores—great for game-room parties. Separate score tables: Unique high-score tables based on lives selected. God Mode: Practice endlessly (scores are not saved in this mode). Why This Kit is the Best Upgrade for 1942 Unlike multigame boards or reproduction PCBs, this HighScoreSaves kit preserves original Capcom hardware while adding modern features such as free play mode, accurate high score retention, Wi-Fi configuration, and improved long-term stability. It delivers the most authentic 1942 experience possible while fixing common issues like inconsistent resets or unreliable score saving. Important Installation Notes Socketed Z80 required: If your Z80 is not socketed, install a 40-pin socket for this kit to work. Read the 1942 Free Play and High Score Save Kit Installation Guide Manual PDF before setup. Just the FAQ's Is installation truly plug and play? Yes. No soldering or board modifications are required. Ensure your Z80 is socketed or add a 40-pin socket. How many scores are saved? The kit saves the Top 5 scores on-screen and up to 25 total scores. What is the difference between Wi-Fi and Standard kits? The Wi-Fi kit uploads scores online and syncs to your personal page. The Standard kit saves locally only. What is God Mode? God Mode allows endless practice without losing lives. Note: scores are not saved in this mode. Where can I download the Installation Guide? Download the 1942 Free Play and High Score Save Kit Setup Instructions Installation Manual PDF Resources 1942 Free Play and High Score Save Kit — Installation Guide PDF HighScoreSaves YouTube Channel — Installation Tips HighScoreSaves Facebook Page eBay Store — HighScoreSaves
Details and Benefits
The 1942 Free Play and High Score Save Kit is built for original Capcom hardware and targets the most common pain points on aging boards: scores that do not save, unreliable resets, and worn daughter-card behavior. You get modern stability and quality-of-life features while keeping the authentic feel of the original vertical shooter.
What This Kit Adds
- Free play with flexibility — Enjoy coin-free play while still supporting traditional coin operation when desired
- Accurate score retention — The kit stores high scores permanently and reliably without batteries or failure-prone NVRAM
- On-screen control — Menu-driven DIP settings let you update difficulty and options without opening the cabinet
- Attract sound control — Choose Off, 25 percent, 50 percent, or 100 percent of the attract rotation
- Monitor-friendly attract behavior — Attract mode protection helps reduce burn-in by eliminating static screens
- ROM saver option — You may remove original program ROMs to reduce power use
- Cabinet support — Works in Upright and Cocktail cabinets
Advanced Features
- Backup and restore — Save your high scores and restore them later, which is handy before and after game-room parties
- Separate score tables — Unique high-score tables based on the lives setting
- God Mode — Practice with unlimited lives (scores are not saved in this mode)
Important Installation Notes
A socketed Z80 CPU is required. If your Z80 is not socketed, install a 40-pin socket for this kit to work. Review the installation guide before starting so your setup goes smoothly from the first power-on.
If you choose the optional Wi-Fi Enabled version, scores can be uploaded online and synced to your personal player page, in addition to the local high score saving on the board.