Mad Planets Arcade PCB Upgrade Overview for Original Gottlieb Hardware
Review the available HighScoreSaves upgrade option for compatible original Gottlieb Mad Planets arcade PCBs, including Free Play, Top 10 Elite score display, installation requirements, hardware compatibility, EEPROM score storage, ROM Saver support, attract sound settings, menu-driven game options, God Mode, and optional Wi-Fi leaderboard support.
This category is intended for collectors, operators, and restoration projects using original Mad Planets arcade hardware. The upgrade keeps the original Gottlieb PCB in service rather than replacing the cabinet with an emulation platform, reproduction board, or multicade system.
Mad Planets installation requires an Intel 8088-compatible processor installed in a compatible 40-pin socket. No soldering is required when the original 8088 processor is already socketed.
Mad Planets Hardware Compatibility and Upgrade Features
The Mad Planets kit is designed for original Gottlieb arcade hardware and adds modern reliability, score saving, menu settings, and optional leaderboard support while preserving the original gameplay, timing, controls, sound, and cabinet behavior.
- Designed for compatible original Gottlieb Mad Planets arcade PCBs
- Free Play with optional coin operation retained
- Battery-free EEPROM score storage
- Top 10 Elite score display
- Daily Top 25 scores are not retained after power is removed
- Attract sound settings for every intro screen, 1 of 4 screens, 2 of 4 screens, or continuously
- On-screen settings menu for supported options
- Supported game settings including bonus lives, lives per game, and additional gameplay options
- Attract mode protection to help reduce prolonged static screen content
- Backup and restore support for saved score data
- Separate score tables based on selected number of lives
- God Mode practice with score saving disabled while God Mode is active
- ROM Saver support because the daughterboard supplies the required game code
- Upright and cocktail Mad Planets cabinet support
- Optional Wi-Fi leaderboard support
View Mad Planets Free Play and High Score Save Kit
View Mad Planets Installation Guide
Before ordering: confirm that your machine contains a documented compatible original Gottlieb Mad Planets arcade PCB and a socketed Intel 8088-compatible processor location. If the original processor is soldered directly to the PCB, a qualified arcade technician must install a compatible 40-pin socket before the kit can be used.
Mad Planets PCB Upgrade Details and Benefits
The HighScoreSaves Mad Planets Free Play and High Score Save Kit adds Free Play, battery-free EEPROM score storage, Top 10 Elite score display, attract sound settings, menu-driven game options, backup and restore, multiple score tables, God Mode, ROM Saver support, upright/cocktail support, and optional Wi-Fi leaderboard support to documented compatible original Gottlieb arcade hardware.
This upgrade is designed for original Gottlieb Mad Planets arcade PCBs. It keeps the original board in service rather than replacing the cabinet with an emulation system, reproduction PCB, or multicade platform.
Main Mad Planets Kit Features
- Free Play: Play Mad Planets without coins while retaining optional coin operation.
- Battery-free score storage: EEPROM storage retains saved scores after the cabinet is powered off.
- Top 10 Elite score display: Displays the Top 10 Elite scores.
- Daily Top 25 clarification: Daily Top 25 scores are not retained after power is removed.
- Attract sound settings: Configure attract sounds for every intro screen, 1 of 4 screens, 2 of 4 screens, or continuously.
- On-screen settings menu: Configure supported options through the settings menu.
- Game settings: Select supported options including bonus lives, lives per game, and additional gameplay settings.
- Attract mode protection: Helps reduce prolonged static screen content during attract mode.
- Backup and restore: Back up and restore saved score data through the settings menu.
- Multiple score tables: Maintains separate score tables based on the selected number of lives.
- God Mode: Practice with unlimited lives. Scores are not saved while God Mode is active.
- ROM Saver: Original program ROMs may be removed because the daughterboard supplies the required game code.
- Upright and cocktail support: Supports documented upright and cocktail Mad Planets cabinet configurations.
- Optional Wi-Fi: Add online leaderboard score submission while keeping local score saving.
Access the HighScoreSaves Mad Planets 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, Score Saving, and Top 10 Elite Scores
Free Play allows Mad Planets to be played without coins while retaining optional coin operation for cabinets that still use coin-up settings.
Score data is retained using battery-free EEPROM storage, so the kit does not rely on a battery-backed save device to keep supported scores after power-off.
The kit displays the Top 10 Elite scores. Daily Top 25 scores are not retained after cabinet power is removed.
Gottlieb Hardware, ROM Saver, and Game Settings
Mad Planets uses original Gottlieb arcade hardware, and this kit is designed to preserve the original gameplay, controls, timing, sound, and cabinet behavior.
ROM Saver support allows designated original program ROMs to be removed because the daughterboard supplies the required game code when the kit is installed as directed.
Supported game settings include bonus lives, lives per game, attract sound behavior, and additional gameplay options available through the on-screen settings menu.
God Mode, Backup and Restore, and Score Tables
God Mode provides unlimited-lives practice for learning routes, spinner control, and advanced play patterns. Scores are not saved while God Mode is active.
Backup and restore support allows saved score data to be backed up and restored through the settings menu.
Multiple score tables are maintained based on the selected number of lives, helping keep score results organized across different cabinet setups or event rules.
Installation and PCB Requirements
- Designed for documented compatible original Gottlieb Mad Planets arcade PCBs.
- Access to the original arcade PCB is required during installation.
- This kit requires an Intel 8088-compatible processor.
- The original 8088 processor must be installed in a compatible 40-pin socket.
- Installation is easy when the original 8088 processor is already socketed.
- No soldering is required when the original 8088 processor is already socketed.
- If the original processor is soldered directly to the PCB, a qualified arcade technician must install a compatible 40-pin socket before the kit can be used.
- Average installation time is approximately 10–20 minutes when the original processor is already socketed.
- Remove only the designated original program ROMs identified in the Mad Planets install guide when using ROM Saver features.
- Verify Pin 1 orientation, processor alignment, socket condition, board seating, and all processor pins before restoring cabinet power.
- Review the Mad Planets install guide before installation.
Standard and Optional Wi-Fi Versions
The Standard Kit saves supported scores locally on the game and does not require an internet connection for gameplay, Free Play, settings, ROM Saver operation, God Mode, score tables, or local score saving.
The optional Wi-Fi Enabled Kit includes the same local score-saving features and also allows qualifying scores to be uploaded to the HighScoreSaves online leaderboards.
Wi-Fi can be disabled without affecting Mad Planets gameplay, Free Play, local score saving, ROM Saver operation, cabinet settings, or menu-driven options.
Mad Planets Kit FAQ
Which arcade PCB does the HighScoreSaves Mad Planets kit support?
The kit is designed for documented compatible original Gottlieb Mad Planets arcade PCBs.
Which processor is required for the Mad Planets kit?
The Mad Planets kit requires an Intel 8088-compatible processor installed in a compatible socketed 40-pin processor location.
Is the Mad Planets kit plug and play?
Yes, when the original 8088 processor is already socketed. If the processor is soldered directly to the PCB, a compatible 40-pin socket must first be installed by a qualified technician.
How many high scores does the Mad Planets kit save?
The kit displays the Top 10 Elite scores. Daily Top 25 scores are not retained after power is removed.
Does the Mad Planets kit support Free Play and coin operation?
Yes. Free Play is supported while optional coin operation can still be retained.
How is the HighScoreSaves Mad Planets settings menu opened?
Hold Player 1 Start while turning the cabinet on. Release the button when the on-screen prompt tells you to continue.
What is God Mode on the Mad Planets kit?
God Mode is a practice mode with unlimited lives. Scores are not saved while God Mode is active.
Does the Mad Planets kit support upright and cocktail cabinets?
Yes. The Mad Planets kit supports documented upright and cocktail cabinet configurations.
Is Wi-Fi required for the HighScoreSaves Mad Planets kit?
No. Standard kits save supported scores locally. Wi-Fi is optional for online leaderboard support.