Moon Patrol Arcade PCB Upgrade Overview for Original Irem Hardware
Review the available HighScoreSaves upgrade option for compatible original Irem Moon Patrol arcade PCBs, including Free Play, Top 5 high score saving, installation requirements, hardware compatibility, serial EEPROM storage, attract sounds, Practice Mode, Game Menu options, Reset Button support, Flip Screen support, RAM/ROM tests, and optional Wi-Fi leaderboard support.
This category is intended for collectors, operators, and restoration projects using original Moon Patrol arcade hardware. The upgrade keeps the original Irem PCB in service rather than replacing the cabinet with an emulation platform, reproduction board, or multicade system.
Moon Patrol installation requires a Z80 processor installed in a compatible 40-pin socket. No soldering is required when the Z80 processor location is already socketed.
Moon Patrol Hardware Compatibility and Upgrade Features
The Moon Patrol kit is designed for original Irem arcade hardware and adds modern reliability, score saving, menu settings, diagnostics, and optional leaderboard support while preserving the original side-scrolling lunar patrol gameplay, timing, sound, controls, and cabinet behavior.
- Designed for compatible original Irem Moon Patrol arcade PCBs
- Free Play with traditional Coin-Up operation retained
- Permanent Top 5 high score saving
- Reliable serial EEPROM storage with no batteries or failure-prone NVRAM required
- Adjustable attract sounds at 25%, 50%, or 100% attract-screen rotations
- Attract mode protection to help reduce monitor burn-in from static screens
- Menu-driven DIP settings for supported options
- ROM Saver support for optional original program ROM removal
- Backup and Restore support for saved high scores
- Separate high score tables for 2, 3, or 4 lives settings
- Reset Button support to restart a game without powering off the cabinet
- Practice Mode with selectable checkpoints
- Game Menu support for lives and practice-level selection
- Flip Screen support
- Built-in RAM and ROM diagnostic tests
- Continue mode automatically disabled while Free Play is enabled
- Upright and cocktail cabinet support
- Optional Wi-Fi leaderboard support
View Moon Patrol Free Play and High Score Save Kit
View Moon Patrol Installation Guide
Before ordering: confirm that your machine contains a documented compatible original Irem Moon Patrol 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.
Moon Patrol PCB Upgrade Details and Benefits
The HighScoreSaves Moon Patrol Free Play and High Score Save Kit adds Free Play, Top 5 high score saving, serial EEPROM storage, adjustable attract sounds, menu-driven DIP settings, ROM Saver support, Backup and Restore, separate lives-based score tables, Reset Button support, Practice Mode, Game Menu options, Flip Screen support, RAM/ROM tests, upright/cocktail support, and optional Wi-Fi leaderboard support to documented compatible original Irem arcade hardware.
This upgrade is designed for original Irem Moon Patrol arcade PCBs. It keeps the original board in service rather than replacing the cabinet with an emulation system, reproduction PCB, or multicade platform.
Main Moon Patrol Kit Features
- Top 5 score saving: Stores the Top 5 supported high scores permanently.
- Battery-free storage: Uses reliable serial EEPROM storage instead of batteries or NVRAM.
- Free Play: Start Moon Patrol without inserting coins.
- Traditional Coin-Up operation: Coin operation remains supported when desired.
- Adjustable attract sounds: Attract sounds can be set to 25%, 50%, or 100% attract-screen rotations.
- Attract mode protection: Helps reduce monitor burn-in from static screens.
- Menu-driven DIP settings: Change supported options on screen without opening the cabinet.
- ROM Saver: Original program ROMs may be removed when installed as directed.
- Backup and Restore: Back up high scores and restore them later.
- Separate score tables: Different high score saves for 2, 3, or 4 lives settings.
- Reset Button: Restart a game without powering off the cabinet.
- Practice Mode: Start at selectable checkpoints for targeted practice.
- Game Menu: Quickly select lives or practice levels.
- Flip Screen: Full flip-screen support is included.
- RAM and ROM tests: Built-in diagnostic tests are included.
- Free Play behavior: Continue mode is automatically disabled while Free Play is enabled.
- Upright and cocktail support: Supports documented upright and cocktail cabinet configurations.
- Optional Wi-Fi: Add online leaderboard score submission while keeping local score saving.
Access the HighScoreSaves Moon Patrol 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, Attract Sounds, and Permanent High Scores
Free Play allows Moon Patrol to start without inserting coins while retaining traditional Coin-Up operation as an available setting.
Supported score data is stored using serial EEPROM, so batteries or NVRAM are not required for saved scores. The kit stores the Top 5 supported high scores permanently.
Attract sounds are adjustable at 25%, 50%, or 100% attract-screen rotations. Attract mode protection helps reduce the chance of monitor burn-in from static screens during idle operation.
Irem Hardware, ROM Saver, and Diagnostic Features
Moon Patrol uses original Irem arcade hardware, and this kit is intended for documented compatible original Moon Patrol arcade PCBs.
ROM Saver support allows designated original program ROMs to be removed when the kit is installed as directed in the Moon Patrol installation guide.
Built-in RAM and ROM tests help with troubleshooting and service work while preserving the original side-scrolling arcade gameplay, controls, timing, sound, and cabinet behavior.
Practice Mode, Reset Button, Game Menu, and Flip Screen
Practice Mode allows players to start at selectable checkpoints, making it easier to practice difficult Moon Patrol sections without repeated full-game starts.
The Game Menu provides quick access to lives and practice-level options. Reset Button support allows the game to restart without powering off the cabinet.
Flip Screen support is included for cabinet setup flexibility, and upright and cocktail cabinet configurations are supported when used with documented compatible original Irem Moon Patrol hardware.
Backup and Restore, Score Tables, and Free Play Behavior
Backup and Restore support allows saved high scores to be backed up and restored later for service, events, parties, or tournament preparation.
Separate high score tables are supported for 2, 3, or 4 lives settings, helping keep saved scores organized across different gameplay configurations.
Continue mode is automatically disabled while Free Play is enabled.
Installation and PCB Requirements
- Designed for documented compatible original Irem Moon Patrol arcade PCBs.
- Access to the original arcade PCB is required during installation.
- This kit requires a 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 install a compatible 40-pin socket before the kit can be used.
- Remove only the designated original program ROMs identified in the Moon Patrol installation 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 Moon Patrol installation guide before installation.
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, ROM Saver operation, Backup and Restore, score tables, Practice Mode, Reset Button support, diagnostics, 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 Moon Patrol gameplay, Free Play, local score saving, ROM Saver operation, cabinet settings, menu-driven options, Practice Mode, Reset Button support, or diagnostic tests.
Moon Patrol Kit FAQ
Which arcade PCB does the HighScoreSaves Moon Patrol kit support?
The kit is designed for documented compatible original Irem Moon Patrol arcade PCBs.
Which processor is required for the Moon Patrol kit?
The Moon Patrol kit requires a socketed Z80 processor in a compatible 40-pin processor location.
How many high scores does the Moon Patrol kit save?
The kit stores the Top 5 supported high scores using serial EEPROM storage.
Does the Moon Patrol kit support Free Play and Coin-Up operation?
Yes. Free Play and traditional Coin-Up operation are both supported. Continue mode is automatically disabled while Free Play is enabled.
How is the HighScoreSaves Moon Patrol settings menu opened?
Hold Player 1 Start while turning the cabinet on. Release the button when the on-screen prompt tells you to continue.
Does the Moon Patrol kit include Practice Mode?
Yes. Practice Mode allows players to start at selectable checkpoints for targeted practice.
Does the Moon Patrol kit include built-in diagnostics?
Yes. Built-in RAM and ROM diagnostic tests are included for troubleshooting and service work.
Does the Moon Patrol kit support upright and cocktail cabinets?
Yes. The Moon Patrol kit supports documented upright and cocktail cabinet configurations and includes Flip Screen support.
Is Wi-Fi required for the HighScoreSaves Moon Patrol kit?
No. Standard kits save supported scores locally. Wi-Fi is optional for online leaderboard support.