Centipede Arcade PCB Upgrade Overview for Original Atari Hardware
Review the available HighScoreSaves upgrade option for compatible original Atari Centipede arcade PCBs, including Free Play, permanent high score saving, installation requirements, hardware compatibility, serial EEPROM storage, attract sounds, menu-driven DIP settings, attract mode protection, ROM Saver support, Backup and Restore, Reset Button support, separate score tables, Fast Boot, upright/cocktail cabinet support, and optional Wi-Fi leaderboard support.
This category is intended for collectors, operators, and restoration projects using original Centipede arcade hardware. The upgrade keeps the original Atari PCB in service rather than replacing the cabinet with an emulation platform, reproduction board, or generic multicade system.
Centipede installation requires a socketed 6502 CPU. No soldering is required when the 6502 CPU is already installed in a compatible 40-pin socket.
Centipede Hardware Compatibility and Upgrade Features
The Centipede kit is designed for original Atari arcade hardware and adds modern reliability, score saving, attract sound control, menu settings, service features, and optional leaderboard support while preserving the original Centipede gameplay, trackball control, timing, sound, and classic arcade behavior.
- Designed for compatible original Atari Centipede arcade PCBs
- Free Play with traditional Coin-Up operation support
- Saves the Top 10 scores permanently
- Reliable serial EEPROM storage with no batteries or failure-prone NVRAM required
- Attract sounds with 25%, 50%, or 100% rotation settings
- Attract mode protection to help reduce static-screen display time
- Menu-driven DIP settings for supported game options
- Backup and Restore support for saved high score data
- Reset Button support for soft restart when enabled
- Separate score tables for 2, 3, 4, or 5 lives
- Fast Boot support with minimal initialization
- ROM Saver support for optional original program ROM removal
- Requires a socketed 6502 CPU
- Upright and cocktail cabinet support
- Optional Wi-Fi leaderboard support
View Centipede Free Play and High Score Save Kit
View/Download Centipede Install Guide (PDF)
Before ordering: confirm that your machine contains a documented compatible original Atari Centipede arcade PCB and a socketed 6502 CPU location. If the 6502 CPU is soldered directly to the PCB, a qualified arcade technician must install a compatible 40-pin socket before the kit can be used.
Centipede PCB Upgrade Details and Benefits
The HighScoreSaves Centipede Free Play and High Score Save Kit adds Free Play, permanent Top 10 score saving, battery-free serial EEPROM storage, attract sounds, menu-driven DIP settings, attract mode protection, ROM Saver support, Backup and Restore, Reset Button support, separate score tables, Fast Boot, upright/cocktail cabinet support, and optional Wi-Fi leaderboard support to documented compatible original Atari Centipede arcade hardware.
This upgrade is designed for original Atari Centipede arcade PCBs. It keeps the original board in service rather than replacing the cabinet with an emulation system, reproduction PCB, or generic multicade platform.
Main Centipede Kit Features
- Permanent score saving: Saves the Top 10 scores.
- Battery-free storage: Uses reliable serial EEPROM storage instead of batteries or failure-prone NVRAM.
- Free Play: Start Centipede without inserting coins.
- Traditional Coin-Up operation: Normal coin operation remains supported when desired.
- Attract sounds: Attract sound rotation can be set to 25%, 50%, or 100%.
- Attract mode protection: Helps reduce static-screen display time during idle operation.
- Menu-driven DIP settings: Configure supported game options directly from the on-screen menu.
- Backup and Restore: Back up stored high scores and restore them when needed.
- Reset Button: Supports soft restart when enabled.
- Separate score tables: Supports separate score tables for 2, 3, 4, or 5 lives.
- Fast Boot: Supports minimal initialization during startup.
- ROM Saver: Designated original program ROMs may be removed when installed as directed.
- Socketed 6502 requirement: Requires a 6502 CPU installed in a compatible 40-pin socket.
- Upright and cocktail support: Supports documented upright and cocktail cabinet configurations.
- Optional Wi-Fi: Add qualifying online leaderboard score submission while keeping local score saving.
Access the HighScoreSaves Centipede 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.
Free Play, Coin-Up, and Top 10 Score Saving
Free Play allows Centipede to start without inserting coins while retaining traditional Coin-Up operation when desired.
Supported score data is stored using serial EEPROM, so batteries or NVRAM are not required for saved scores. The kit saves the Top 10 scores.
Backup and Restore support allows stored high score data to be backed up and restored later for service, events, parties, route use, or tournament preparation.
Atari Hardware, Attract Sounds, and DIP Settings
Centipede uses original Atari arcade hardware, and this kit is intended for documented compatible original Centipede arcade PCBs.
Attract sounds can be set to 25%, 50%, or 100% rotation. Attract mode protection helps reduce static-screen display time during idle operation.
Menu-driven DIP settings allow supported options to be configured directly from the on-screen menu, reducing the need to adjust PCB DIP switches during normal setup.
ROM Saver, Reset Button, Separate Tables, and Fast Boot
ROM Saver support allows designated original program ROMs to be removed when the kit is installed as directed in the Centipede installation guide.
Reset Button support allows a soft restart when enabled. Fast Boot reduces startup initialization time for quicker cabinet operation.
Separate score tables are supported for 2, 3, 4, or 5 lives, allowing score storage to remain organized across supported lives settings.
Cabinet Support and Local Saving
Upright and cocktail cabinet configurations are supported when used with documented compatible original Atari Centipede arcade 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, local score saving, cabinet settings, menu operation, Reset Button support, Fast Boot, or ROM Saver operation.
Installation and PCB Requirements
- Designed for documented compatible original Atari Centipede arcade PCBs.
- Access to the original arcade PCB is required during installation.
- This kit requires a socketed 6502 CPU.
- The 6502 CPU must be installed in a compatible 40-pin socket.
- No soldering is required when the 6502 CPU is already socketed.
- If the 6502 CPU is soldered directly to the PCB, a qualified arcade technician must remove the CPU and install a compatible 40-pin socket before the kit can be used.
- Remove only the designated original program ROMs identified in the Centipede installation guide when using ROM Saver features.
- Verify Pin 1 orientation, processor alignment, socket condition, board seating, ROM removal locations, and all processor pins before restoring cabinet power.
- Review the Centipede 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, menu settings, ROM Saver operation, Backup and Restore, Reset Button support, Fast Boot, 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 Centipede gameplay, Free Play, local score saving, cabinet settings, menu-driven options, Backup and Restore, Reset Button support, Fast Boot, or ROM Saver operation.
Centipede Kit FAQ
Which arcade PCB does the HighScoreSaves Centipede kit support?
The kit is designed for documented compatible original Atari Centipede arcade PCBs.
How many high scores does the Centipede kit save?
The kit saves the Top 10 scores using reliable serial EEPROM storage.
Does the Centipede kit support Free Play and Coin-Up?
Yes. The kit supports Free Play and traditional Coin-Up operation.
How is the HighScoreSaves Centipede settings menu opened?
Hold Player 1 Start while turning the cabinet on. Release the button when the on-screen prompt tells you to continue.
Can attract sound frequency be adjusted?
Yes. Attract sounds can be set to 25%, 50%, or 100% rotation.
Does the Centipede kit support separate score tables?
Yes. Separate score tables are supported for 2, 3, 4, or 5 lives.
What does the Reset Button option do?
Reset Button support allows a soft restart when the option is enabled.
Which processor is required for the Centipede kit?
A socketed 6502 CPU is required. If the CPU is soldered directly to the PCB, a compatible 40-pin socket must be installed before using the kit.
What is ROM Saver on the Centipede kit?
ROM Saver allows designated original program ROMs to be removed while the game runs directly from the kit when installed as directed.
Is Wi-Fi required for the HighScoreSaves Centipede kit?
No. Standard kits save supported scores locally. Wi-Fi is optional for online leaderboard support.