Pepper II Arcade PCB Upgrade Overview for Original Exidy Hardware
Review the available HighScoreSaves upgrade option for compatible original Exidy Pepper II arcade PCBs, including Free Play, permanent high score saving, installation requirements, hardware compatibility, serial EEPROM storage, attract sound options, attract mode protection, menu-driven DIP settings, ROM Saver support, Backup and Restore, separate score tables, Reset Button support, Fast Boot, Stealth Mode, 6502 processor requirements, upright/cocktail cabinet support, and optional Wi-Fi leaderboard support.
This category is intended for collectors, operators, and restoration projects using original Pepper II arcade hardware. The upgrade keeps the original Exidy arcade PCB in service rather than replacing the cabinet with an emulation platform, reproduction board, or generic multicade system.
Pepper II installation requires a 6502 processor and a compatible socketed CPU location. No soldering is required when the 6502 CPU is already installed in a compatible 40-pin socket. If the 6502 is soldered directly to the PCB, a compatible 40-pin socket must be installed before the kit can be used.
Pepper II Hardware Compatibility and Upgrade Features
The Pepper II kit is designed for compatible original Exidy arcade hardware and adds modern reliability, score saving, attract behavior, menu settings, service features, and optional leaderboard support while preserving the original Pepper II gameplay, timing, sound, controls, maze-chase behavior, and arcade feel.
- Designed for compatible original Exidy Pepper II arcade PCBs
- Free Play with traditional Coin-Up operation support
- Saves the Top 5 scores permanently
- Reliable serial EEPROM storage with no batteries or NVRAM required
- Attract sounds adjustable at 25%, 50%, or 100% rotation
- Attract mode protection to help reduce static-screen display time
- Copyright selection for original manufacturer or HighScoreSaves branding
- Menu-driven DIP settings for supported game options
- Backup and Restore support for saved high score data
- Separate score tables for 2, 3, 4, or 5 lives
- Reset Button support for soft restart when enabled
- Fast Boot support with minimal initialization time
- Stealth Mode support for direct game startup
- ROM Saver support for optional original program ROM removal
- Requires a 6502 processor and compatible 40-pin socketed CPU location
- Upright and cocktail cabinet support
- Optional Wi-Fi leaderboard support
View Pepper II Free Play and High Score Save Kit
View/Download Pepper II Install Guide (PDF)
Before ordering: confirm that your machine contains a documented compatible original Exidy Pepper II arcade PCB and the required socketed 6502 CPU location. If the 6502 processor is soldered directly to the PCB, a qualified arcade technician must install a compatible 40-pin socket before the kit can be used.
Pepper II PCB Upgrade Details and Benefits
The HighScoreSaves Pepper II Free Play and High Score Save Kit adds permanent Top 5 score saving, Free Play, Coin-Up support, serial EEPROM storage, attract sounds, attract mode protection, copyright selection, menu-driven DIP settings, ROM Saver support, Backup and Restore, separate score tables, Reset Button support, Fast Boot, Stealth Mode, upright/cocktail support, and optional Wi-Fi leaderboard support to documented compatible original Exidy Pepper II arcade hardware.
This upgrade is designed for original Exidy Pepper II arcade PCBs. It keeps the original arcade board in service rather than replacing the cabinet with an emulation system, reproduction PCB, or generic multicade platform.
Main Pepper II Kit Features
- Permanent score saving: Stores the Top 5 supported scores.
- Battery-free storage: Uses reliable serial EEPROM storage with no batteries or NVRAM required.
- Free Play: Start Pepper II without inserting coins.
- Traditional Coin-Up operation: Continue using quarters or tokens when coin operation is enabled.
- Attract sounds: Adjustable at 25%, 50%, or 100% of attract-screen rotations.
- Attract mode protection: Helps reduce static-screen display time during idle operation.
- Copyright selection: Toggle attract-screen branding between original manufacturer and HighScoreSaves.
- Menu-driven DIP settings: Configure supported operator settings directly through the on-screen menu.
- ROM Saver: Remove designated original program ROMs when installed as directed.
- Backup and Restore: Back up saved high scores and restore them later.
- Separate score tables: Separate supported score tables for 2, 3, 4, or 5 lives.
- Reset Button: Restart the game without powering the cabinet off when enabled.
- Fast Boot: Starts quickly with minimal initialization time.
- Stealth Mode: Boots directly into the game without displaying menus during startup.
- Upright and cocktail support: Supports documented upright and cocktail cabinet configurations.
- Optional Wi-Fi: Adds qualifying online leaderboard score submission while keeping local score saving.
Access the HighScoreSaves Pepper II 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 5 Score Saving
Free Play allows Pepper II 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 stores the Top 5 supported scores.
Backup and Restore support allows stored score data to be backed up and restored later for service work, parties, events, route use, or tournament preparation.
Attract Sounds, DIP Settings, and Score Tables
Attract sounds can be enabled at 25%, 50%, or 100% of attract-screen rotations, allowing the cabinet to be configured for home arcade, route, collection, or event use.
Menu-driven DIP settings allow supported options to be configured from the on-screen menu instead of relying only on physical DIP-switch access.
Separate supported score tables are available for 2, 3, 4, or 5 lives, keeping score data organized by lives setting instead of combining all results into one shared table.
ROM Saver, Reset Button, Fast Boot, and Stealth Mode
ROM Saver support allows designated original program ROMs to be removed when the kit is installed as directed in the Pepper II installation guide.
Reset Button support allows the game to be restarted without powering the cabinet off when the option is enabled. Fast Boot reduces startup delay by minimizing initialization time.
Stealth Mode boots directly into the game without displaying menus during startup, keeping normal cabinet startup cleaner while still allowing supported operator configuration through the kit menu.
Installation and PCB Requirements
- Designed for documented compatible original Exidy Pepper II arcade PCBs.
- Access to the original arcade PCB is required during installation.
- This kit requires a 6502 processor.
- The kit installs at the documented 40-pin 6502 processor location.
- No soldering is required when the required 6502 processor location already has a compatible 40-pin socket.
- If the 6502 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 Pepper II installation guide when using ROM Saver features.
- Verify Pin 1 orientation, processor alignment, socket condition, board seating, ROM removal locations, and every processor pin before restoring cabinet power.
- Review the Pepper II installation guide before installation.
Standard and Optional Wi-Fi Versions
The Standard Kit stores supported scores and settings locally to the PCB and does not require an internet connection for gameplay, Free Play, Coin-Up operation, local score saving, menu-driven DIP settings, ROM Saver operation, Backup and Restore, Reset Button support, Fast Boot, Stealth Mode, or lives-based score tables.
The optional Wi-Fi Enabled Kit includes the same local features and can submit qualifying scores to the HighScoreSaves online leaderboard after supported score entry.
Wi-Fi can be disabled without affecting Pepper II gameplay, Free Play, local score saving, menu operation, cabinet settings, or ROM Saver operation.
Pepper II Kit FAQ
Which arcade PCB does the HighScoreSaves Pepper II kit support?
The kit is designed for documented compatible original Exidy Pepper II arcade PCBs.
How many high scores does the Pepper II kit save?
The kit stores the Top 5 supported scores using reliable serial EEPROM storage.
Does the Pepper II kit support Free Play and Coin-Up?
Yes. The kit supports Free Play and traditional Coin-Up operation.
How is the HighScoreSaves Pepper II 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. Separate score tables are available for 2, 3, 4, or 5 lives.
What processor is required?
A 6502 processor is required and must be installed in a compatible socketed location.
Does installation require soldering?
No soldering is required when the 6502 CPU location is already socketed. If the 6502 is soldered directly to the PCB, a compatible 40-pin socket must be installed first.
What is Stealth Mode?
Stealth Mode boots directly into the game without displaying menus during startup.
Is Wi-Fi required?
No. Standard kits save supported scores and settings locally. Wi-Fi is optional for online leaderboard support.