Crystal Castles Free Play and High Score Save Kit for Original Atari Hardware
Upgrade a documented compatible original Atari Crystal Castles arcade PCB with Free Play, Top 32 high score saving, serial EEPROM storage, attract mode protection, lives-based score tables, menu-driven settings, ROM Saver support, Reset Button support, Fast Boot, and optional Wi-Fi leaderboard support.
The HighScoreSaves Crystal Castles Kit operates with original Atari arcade hardware rather than replacing the game board with an emulation platform, reproduction PCB, or multicade system. Crystal Castles remains the only selectable game.
HighScoreSaves Crystal Castles Standard Kit
A focused upgrade for original Crystal Castles gameplay with Free Play, saved scores, lives-based score tables, ROM Saver features, and modern operator settings.
- Crystal Castles support on compatible original Atari arcade hardware
- Stores the Top 32 high scores
- Reliable serial EEPROM storage with no batteries or NVRAM required
- Free Play with traditional Coin-Up operation available
- Attract mode protection with rotating gameplay demos
- Copyright option for original manufacturer or HighScoreSaves branding
- Separate score tables for 2–5 lives settings
- Menu-driven DIP and operator settings through the settings menu
- ROM Saver support for optional original program ROM removal
- Backup and restore support for saved high scores
- Reset Button support without powering the cabinet off
- Fast Boot with minimal initialization time during startup
- Documented upright and cocktail cabinet support
- Optional Wi-Fi leaderboard support
Verify PCB Compatibility Before Ordering
- The kit is designed for documented compatible original Atari Crystal Castles arcade PCBs.
- Access to the original arcade PCB is required during installation.
- A 6502 processor is required.
- No soldering is required when the processor location already has a compatible 40-pin socket.
- A qualified arcade technician must install a compatible 40-pin socket if the processor is not already socketed.
- Remove only the original program ROMs identified in the Crystal Castles installation guide when using ROM Saver features.
- Verify Pin 1 orientation, processor alignment, socket condition, and all pins before restoring cabinet power.
Crystal Castles Kit Details and Benefits
The HighScoreSaves Crystal Castles Free Play and High Score Save Kit adds Free Play, Top 32 high score saving, serial EEPROM storage, attract mode protection, lives-based score tables, menu-driven settings, ROM Saver support, Reset Button support, Fast Boot, and optional Wi-Fi leaderboard support to a documented compatible original Atari Crystal Castles arcade PCB.
The daughterboard works with the original arcade hardware rather than replacing the game board with an emulation platform, reproduction PCB, or multicade system. Crystal Castles remains the only selectable game.
Main Crystal Castles Kit Features
- Top 32 score saving: Stores the thirty-two highest supported scores.
- Battery-free storage: Uses reliable serial EEPROM storage with no batteries or NVRAM required.
- Free Play: Start Crystal Castles without inserting coins.
- Traditional Coin-Up operation: Continue accepting quarters or tokens when Free Play is disabled.
- Attract mode protection: Rotating gameplay demos help reduce screen burn during idle operation.
- Copyright option: Select original manufacturer branding or HighScoreSaves branding.
- Lives-based score tables: Maintains separate supported score tables for 2–5 lives settings.
- On-screen DIP settings: Configure supported settings directly through the settings menu.
- ROM Saver: Original program ROMs may be removed when using supported ROM Saver features.
- Score backup and restore: Save and restore supported high scores for parties, events, or tournaments.
- Reset Button: Restart the game without powering the cabinet off.
- Fast Boot: Minimal initialization time during startup.
- Upright and cocktail support: Compatible with documented cabinet configurations.
- Optional Wi-Fi: Add online leaderboard score submission while keeping local score saving.
Access the HighScoreSaves Crystal Castles 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 and Permanent High Scores
Free Play allows Crystal Castles to start without inserting coins while retaining normal Coin-Up operation as an available setting. The kit stores the Top 32 supported high scores locally.
Supported score data is stored using serial EEPROM, so batteries and NVRAM are not required for saved scores. Backup and restore functions are included for supported high score data.
Crystal Castles also supports separate score tables for 2–5 lives settings. This keeps supported score results organized across different gameplay configurations.
Attract Mode Protection, Reset Button, and Operator Settings
Attract mode protection uses rotating gameplay demos to help reduce screen burn during idle operation.
On-screen DIP settings allow supported options to be adjusted through the settings menu instead of relying only on physical switch changes.
The Reset Button feature restarts the game without powering the cabinet off. Fast Boot also reduces startup wait time with minimal initialization during power-on.
Installation and PCB Requirements
- Designed for documented compatible original Atari Crystal Castles arcade PCBs.
- Access to the original arcade PCB is required during installation.
- A 6502 processor is required.
- No soldering is required when the processor location already has a compatible 40-pin socket.
- If the processor is not already socketed, a qualified arcade technician must install a compatible 40-pin socket.
- Remove only the designated original program ROMs identified in the Crystal Castles installation guide when using ROM Saver features.
- Verify Pin 1 orientation, processor alignment, socket condition, and every processor pin before restoring cabinet power.
Standard and Optional Wi-Fi Versions
The Standard Kit saves supported scores locally to the PCB and does not require an internet connection for gameplay, Free Play, settings-menu operation, or local score saving.
The optional Wi-Fi Enabled Kit includes the same local features and adds online score syncing through the HighScoreSaves global leaderboard platform.
Wi-Fi can be disabled without affecting Crystal Castles gameplay, Free Play, attract mode protection, local score saving, Reset Button support, Fast Boot, or settings-menu operation.
Crystal Castles Kit FAQ
How many high scores does the Crystal Castles kit save?The kit stores the Top 32 supported high scores.
Does the Crystal Castles kit support Free Play?Yes. The kit supports Free Play while retaining traditional Coin-Up operation.
Are there separate score tables?Yes. Separate score tables are tracked for 2–5 lives settings.
What is ROM Saver?ROM Saver allows the original program ROMs identified in the installation guide to be removed because the supported game program runs directly from the kit.
How is the HighScoreSaves settings menu opened?Hold Player 1 Start while turning the cabinet on. Release the button when the on-screen prompt tells you to continue.
Which processor is required?A 6502 processor is required and must be installed in a compatible socketed location.
What does the Reset Button do?The Reset Button restarts the game without powering the cabinet off.
Does installation require soldering?Not when the processor location already has a compatible 40-pin socket. A qualified arcade technician must install a socket if the processor is not already socketed.
Is Wi-Fi required?No. Standard kits save supported scores locally. Wi-Fi is optional for online leaderboard support.