Arkanoid Arcade PCB Upgrade Overview for Original Taito Hardware
Review the available HighScoreSaves upgrade option for compatible original Taito Arkanoid arcade PCBs, including Arkanoid and Arkanoid Tournament support, Free Play, permanent high score saving, installation requirements, hardware compatibility, serial EEPROM storage, attract sounds, menu-driven DIP settings, ROM Saver support, Reset Button, Self-Test access, default game selection, Flip Screen support, upright/cocktail cabinet support, and optional Wi-Fi leaderboard support.
This category is intended for collectors, operators, and restoration projects using original Arkanoid arcade hardware. The upgrade keeps the original Taito PCB in service rather than replacing the cabinet with an emulation platform, reproduction board, or multicade system.
Arkanoid installation requires a Z80 processor installed in a compatible 40-pin socket. No soldering is required when the Z80 processor location is already socketed.
Arkanoid Hardware Compatibility and Upgrade Features
The Arkanoid Tournament Multigame kit is designed for original Taito arcade hardware and adds modern reliability, score saving, game selection, operator settings, diagnostic access, practice options, and optional leaderboard support while preserving the original Arkanoid paddle-control gameplay, timing, controls, sound, and classic arcade behavior.
- Designed for compatible original Taito Arkanoid arcade PCBs
- Includes Arkanoid and Arkanoid Tournament
- Free Play with traditional coin operation support
- Continue Mode support in coin mode
- Saves the Top 5 scores per game
- Separate score tables for 2, 3, or 4 lives
- Reliable serial EEPROM storage with no batteries or failure-prone NVRAM required
- Selectable attract music and sound effects during attract-screen rotations
- Screen burn protection to help reduce prolonged static-image display time
- Menu-driven DIP settings for supported game options
- Backup and Restore support for saved high score data
- Reset Button support for restarting without cycling cabinet power
- Self-Test access directly from the kit menu
- Default game selection for Arkanoid, Tournament, or last played game
- God Mode practice option with score saving disabled
- Flip Screen support for alternate cabinet orientations
- ROM Saver support for optional original program ROM removal
- Upright and cocktail cabinet support
- Optional Wi-Fi leaderboard support
View Arkanoid Tournament Multigame Free Play and High Score Save Kit
View/Download Arkanoid Multigame Install Guide (PDF)
Before ordering: confirm that your machine contains a documented compatible original Taito Arkanoid arcade PCB and a socketed Z80 processor location. If the Z80 processor is soldered directly to the PCB, a qualified arcade technician must install a compatible 40-pin socket before the kit can be used.
Arkanoid PCB Upgrade Details and Benefits
The HighScoreSaves Arkanoid Tournament Multigame Free Play and High Score Save Kit adds Arkanoid and Arkanoid Tournament support, Free Play, permanent score saving, battery-free serial EEPROM storage, attract sounds, menu-driven DIP settings, Continue Mode in coin mode, Reset Button support, Self-Test access, default game selection, God Mode, Flip Screen support, ROM Saver support, upright/cocktail cabinet support, and optional Wi-Fi leaderboard support to documented compatible original Taito Arkanoid arcade hardware.
This upgrade is designed for original Taito Arkanoid arcade PCBs. It keeps the original board in service rather than replacing the cabinet with an emulation system, reproduction PCB, or multicade platform.
Main Arkanoid Tournament Multigame Kit Features
- Supported games: Includes Arkanoid and Arkanoid Tournament on compatible original Taito hardware.
- Permanent score saving: Saves the Top 5 scores per game.
- Separate score tables: Maintains separate score tables for 2, 3, or 4 lives.
- Battery-free storage: Uses reliable serial EEPROM storage instead of batteries or failure-prone NVRAM.
- Free Play: Start Arkanoid without inserting coins.
- Traditional coin operation: Coin operation remains supported when desired.
- Continue Mode: Allows continues in coin mode. Continue Mode is not available in Free Play.
- Menu-driven DIP settings: Configure supported game settings without opening the cabinet.
- Attract sounds: Select music and sound effects during attract-screen rotations.
- Screen burn protection: Helps reduce prolonged static-image display time during idle periods.
- Backup and Restore: Back up stored score data and restore it when needed.
- Reset Button: Restart games without cycling cabinet power.
- Self-Test access: Run diagnostics directly from the kit menu.
- Default game selection: Boot to Arkanoid, Arkanoid Tournament, or the last game played.
- God Mode: Practice with extended gameplay. Scores earned in God Mode are not saved.
- Flip Screen: Rotate the display 180 degrees for alternate cabinet orientations.
- ROM Saver: Designated original program ROMs may be removed when installed as directed.
- Upright and cocktail support: Supports documented upright and cocktail Arkanoid cabinet configurations.
- Optional Wi-Fi: Add qualifying online leaderboard score submission while keeping local score saving.
Access the HighScoreSaves Arkanoid 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.
Arkanoid, Tournament Mode, and Score Saving
The Arkanoid Tournament Multigame kit supports both Arkanoid and Arkanoid Tournament on compatible original Taito arcade hardware.
Supported score data is stored using serial EEPROM, so batteries or NVRAM are not required for saved scores. The kit saves the Top 5 scores per game and maintains separate score tables for 2, 3, or 4 lives.
Default game selection can be configured to boot to Arkanoid, Arkanoid Tournament, or the last game played.
Free Play, Coin Operation, and Continue Mode
Free Play allows Arkanoid to start without inserting coins while retaining traditional coin operation support when desired.
Continue Mode is supported in coin mode, allowing players to continue after game over when configured. Continue Mode is not available in Free Play.
Attract sounds, screen burn protection, and menu-driven DIP settings help make the kit practical for home arcades, collections, events, route use, and long-term cabinet display.
Taito Hardware, Diagnostics, and Practice Features
Arkanoid uses original Taito arcade hardware, and this kit is intended for documented compatible original Arkanoid arcade PCBs.
Self-Test access allows diagnostics to be run directly from the kit menu, and Reset Button support allows the game to be restarted without cycling cabinet power.
God Mode provides a practice option for learning stages and testing gameplay. Scores earned while God Mode is active are not saved.
ROM Saver, Flip Screen, Cabinet Support, and Local Saving
ROM Saver support allows designated original program ROMs to be removed when the kit is installed as directed in the Arkanoid installation guide.
Flip Screen support allows the display to be rotated 180 degrees for alternate cabinet orientations. Upright and cocktail cabinet configurations are supported when used with documented compatible original Taito Arkanoid hardware.
Standard kits save supported scores and settings locally to the installed arcade PCB. Wi-Fi is optional and is not required for normal gameplay or local score saving.
Installation and PCB Requirements
- Designed for documented compatible original Taito Arkanoid arcade PCBs.
- Access to the original arcade PCB is required during installation.
- This kit requires a socketed Z80 processor.
- The Z80 processor must be installed in a compatible 40-pin socket.
- No soldering is required when the Z80 processor location is already socketed.
- If the Z80 processor is soldered directly to the PCB, a qualified arcade technician must remove the processor and install a compatible 40-pin socket before the kit can be used.
- Remove only the designated original program ROMs identified in the Arkanoid installation guide when using ROM Saver features.
- Verify Pin 1 orientation, processor alignment, socket condition, board seating, ROM removal locations, paddle input operation, and all processor pins before restoring cabinet power.
- Review the Arkanoid installation guide before installation.
Standard and Optional Wi-Fi Versions
The Standard Kit saves supported scores and settings locally to the PCB and does not require an internet connection for gameplay, Free Play, settings, ROM Saver operation, Self-Test access, Reset Button support, default game selection, Flip Screen support, or local score saving.
The optional Wi-Fi Enabled Kit includes the same local features and can submit qualifying scores to the HighScoreSaves online leaderboard after a player enters their initials.
Wi-Fi can be disabled without affecting Arkanoid gameplay, Free Play, local score saving, ROM Saver operation, cabinet settings, Self-Test access, Reset Button support, default game selection, or menu-driven options.
Arkanoid Tournament Multigame Kit FAQ
Which games are supported by the Arkanoid Tournament Multigame kit?
The kit supports Arkanoid and Arkanoid Tournament on documented compatible original Taito Arkanoid arcade hardware.
Which processor is required for the Arkanoid kit?
The Arkanoid kit requires a socketed Z80 processor installed in a compatible 40-pin socket.
How many high scores does the Arkanoid kit save?
The kit saves the Top 5 scores per game with separate score tables based on 2, 3, or 4 lives.
Does the Arkanoid kit support Free Play and coin operation?
Yes. The kit supports Free Play while retaining traditional coin operation.
Does Continue Mode work in Free Play on the Arkanoid kit?
No. Continue Mode is supported in coin mode and is not available in Free Play.
Can the Arkanoid kit boot to a default game?
Yes. The kit can be configured to boot to Arkanoid, Arkanoid Tournament, or the last game played.
Does the Arkanoid kit include Self-Test access?
Yes. Self-Test access allows diagnostics to be run directly from the kit menu.
Does the Arkanoid kit support Flip Screen?
Yes. Flip Screen support can rotate the display 180 degrees for alternate cabinet orientations.
Is Wi-Fi required for the HighScoreSaves Arkanoid kit?
No. Standard kits save supported scores locally. Wi-Fi is optional for online leaderboard support.