Circus Charlie Arcade PCB Upgrade Overview for Original Konami Hardware
Review the available HighScoreSaves upgrade option for compatible original Konami Circus Charlie 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, Stealth Mode, separate score tables, upright/cocktail cabinet support, and optional Wi-Fi leaderboard support.
This category is intended for collectors, operators, and restoration projects using original Circus Charlie arcade hardware. The upgrade keeps the original Konami PCB in service rather than replacing the cabinet with an emulation platform, reproduction board, or generic multicade system.
Circus Charlie installation requires a 6809E processor and a documented compatible socketed CPU location. No soldering is required when the required processor location is already installed in a compatible socket.
Circus Charlie Hardware Compatibility and Upgrade Features
The Circus Charlie kit is designed for original Konami arcade hardware and adds modern reliability, score saving, attract sound behavior, menu settings, service features, and optional leaderboard support while preserving the original Circus Charlie gameplay, music, timing, controls, and classic arcade platforming behavior.
- Designed for compatible original Konami Circus Charlie arcade PCBs
- Free Play with traditional Coin-Up operation support
- Saves the Top 7 scores permanently
- Reliable serial EEPROM storage with no batteries required
- Attract sounds during supported attract rotations
- 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
- Stealth Mode for a more stock-looking boot appearance
- Separate score tables based on supported difficulty and lives combinations
- ROM Saver support for optional original program ROM removal
- Requires a 6809E processor and compatible socketed CPU location
- Upright and cocktail cabinet support
- Optional Wi-Fi leaderboard support
View Circus Charlie Free Play and High Score Save Kit
View/Download Circus Charlie Install Guide (PDF)
Before ordering: confirm that your machine contains a documented compatible original Konami Circus Charlie arcade PCB and the required socketed processor location. If the processor is soldered directly to the PCB, a qualified arcade technician must install a compatible socket before the kit can be used.
Circus Charlie PCB Upgrade Details and Benefits
The HighScoreSaves Circus Charlie Free Play and High Score Save Kit adds Free Play, permanent Top 7 score saving, battery-free serial EEPROM storage, attract sounds, menu-driven DIP settings, ROM Saver support, Backup and Restore, Stealth Mode, separate score tables, upright/cocktail cabinet support, and optional Wi-Fi leaderboard support to documented compatible original Konami Circus Charlie arcade hardware.
This upgrade is designed for original Konami Circus Charlie 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 Circus Charlie Kit Features
- Permanent score saving: Saves the Top 7 scores.
- Battery-free storage: Uses reliable serial EEPROM storage with no batteries required.
- Free Play: Start Circus Charlie without inserting coins.
- Traditional Coin-Up operation: Normal coin operation remains supported when desired.
- Attract sounds: Attract sounds play during supported attract rotations.
- Attract mode protection: Gameplay demo cycles help 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.
- Stealth Mode: Boots with a more stock appearance while preserving save kit features.
- Separate score tables: Includes 8 score tables based on supported difficulty and lives combinations.
- ROM Saver: Designated original program ROMs may be removed when installed as directed.
- 6809E processor requirement: Requires a 6809E processor installed in a compatible socketed location.
- 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 Circus Charlie 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 7 Score Saving
Free Play allows Circus Charlie to start without inserting coins while retaining traditional Coin-Up operation when desired.
Supported score data is stored using serial EEPROM, so batteries are not required for saved scores. The kit saves the Top 7 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.
Konami Hardware, Attract Sounds, and DIP Settings
Circus Charlie uses original Konami arcade hardware, and this kit is intended for documented compatible original Circus Charlie arcade PCBs.
Attract sounds add authentic audio behavior during supported attract rotations. Attract mode protection uses gameplay demo cycles to help reduce static-screen display time during idle operation.
Menu-driven DIP settings allow supported game options to be configured directly from the on-screen menu, reducing the need to adjust PCB DIP switches during normal setup.
ROM Saver, Stealth Mode, and Separate Score Tables
ROM Saver support allows designated original program ROMs to be removed when the kit is installed as directed in the Circus Charlie installation guide.
Stealth Mode boots with a more stock-looking appearance while preserving the installed save kit features.
The kit includes 8 separate score tables based on supported difficulty and lives combinations, helping keep score tracking organized across different cabinet setups.
Cabinet Support and Local Saving
Upright and cocktail cabinet configurations are supported when used with documented compatible original Konami Circus Charlie 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, Backup and Restore, Stealth Mode, or ROM Saver operation.
Installation and PCB Requirements
- Designed for documented compatible original Konami Circus Charlie arcade PCBs.
- Access to the original arcade PCB is required during installation.
- This kit requires a 6809E processor.
- The required processor location must be installed in a compatible socket.
- No soldering is required when the required processor location is already socketed.
- If the processor is soldered directly to the PCB, a qualified arcade technician must remove the processor and install a compatible socket before the kit can be used.
- Remove only the designated original program ROMs identified in the Circus Charlie 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 Circus Charlie 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, Stealth Mode, 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 Circus Charlie gameplay, Free Play, local score saving, cabinet settings, menu-driven options, Backup and Restore, Stealth Mode, or ROM Saver operation.
Circus Charlie Kit FAQ
Which arcade PCB does the HighScoreSaves Circus Charlie kit support?
The kit is designed for documented compatible original Konami Circus Charlie arcade PCBs.
How many high scores does the Circus Charlie kit save?
The kit saves the Top 7 scores using reliable serial EEPROM storage.
Does the Circus Charlie kit support Free Play and Coin-Up?
Yes. The kit supports Free Play and traditional Coin-Up operation.
How is the HighScoreSaves Circus Charlie settings menu opened?
Hold Player 1 Start while turning the cabinet on. Release the button when the on-screen prompt tells you to continue.
Are separate score tables available?
Yes. The kit includes 8 score tables based on supported difficulty and lives combinations.
What is Stealth Mode?
Stealth Mode boots with a more stock-looking appearance while preserving the installed save kit features.
Which processor is required for the Circus Charlie kit?
A 6809E processor is required and must be installed in a compatible socketed location.
What is ROM Saver on the Circus Charlie 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 Circus Charlie kit?
No. Standard kits save supported scores locally. Wi-Fi is optional for online leaderboard support.