Pooyan Arcade PCB Upgrade Overview for Original Konami Hardware
Review the available HighScoreSaves upgrade option for compatible original Konami Pooyan 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, Z80 processor requirements, upright/cocktail cabinet support, and optional Wi-Fi leaderboard support.
This category is intended for collectors, operators, and restoration projects using original Pooyan arcade hardware. The upgrade keeps the original Konami arcade PCB in service rather than replacing the cabinet with an emulation platform, reproduction board, or generic multicade system.
Pooyan installation requires a standard Z80 processor and a compatible socketed CPU location. No soldering is required when the Z80 CPU is already installed in a compatible 40-pin socket. If the Z80 is soldered directly to the PCB, a compatible 40-pin socket must be installed before the kit can be used.
Pooyan Hardware Compatibility and Upgrade Features
The Pooyan kit is designed for compatible original Konami arcade hardware and adds modern reliability, score saving, attract behavior, menu settings, service features, and optional leaderboard support while preserving the original Pooyan gameplay, timing, sound, joystick/button controls, balloon-pop shooting action, and arcade feel.
- Designed for documented compatible original Konami Pooyan arcade PCBs
- Free Play with traditional Coin-Up operation support
- Saves the Top 10 scores with initials
- 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
- Menu-driven DIP settings for supported game options
- Backup and Restore support for saved high score data
- Separate score tables for 2, 3, or 4 lives
- Reset Button support for soft restart when enabled
- ROM Saver support for optional original program ROM removal
- Requires a standard Z80 processor
- Requires a compatible 40-pin socketed Z80 CPU location
- Encrypted Z80 processors are not compatible with this save kit
- Upright and cocktail cabinet support
- Optional Wi-Fi leaderboard support
View Pooyan Free Play and High Score Save Kit
View/Download Pooyan Install Guide (PDF)
Before ordering: confirm that your machine contains a documented compatible original Konami Pooyan arcade PCB and the required socketed Z80 CPU location. This kit requires a standard Z80 processor. Encrypted Z80 processors are not compatible with this save kit.
Pooyan PCB Upgrade Details and Benefits
The HighScoreSaves Pooyan Free Play and High Score Save Kit adds permanent Top 10 score saving with initials, Free Play, Coin-Up support, serial EEPROM storage, attract sounds, attract mode protection, menu-driven DIP settings, ROM Saver support, Backup and Restore, separate score tables, Reset Button support, upright/cocktail cabinet support, and optional Wi-Fi leaderboard support to documented compatible original Konami Pooyan arcade hardware.
This upgrade is designed for original Konami Pooyan 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 Pooyan Kit Features
- Permanent score saving: Stores the Top 10 supported scores with player initials.
- Battery-free storage: Uses reliable serial EEPROM storage with no batteries or NVRAM required.
- Free Play: Start Pooyan 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.
- 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, or 4 lives.
- Reset Button: Restart the game without powering the cabinet off when enabled.
- 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 Pooyan 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 10 Score Saving
Free Play allows Pooyan 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 10 supported scores with player initials.
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, or 4 lives, keeping score data organized by lives setting instead of combining all results into one shared table.
ROM Saver, Reset Button, and Cabinet Support
ROM Saver support allows designated original program ROMs to be removed when the kit is installed as directed in the Pooyan installation guide.
Reset Button support allows the game to be restarted without powering the cabinet off when the option is enabled.
Upright and cocktail cabinet configurations are supported when used with documented compatible original Konami Pooyan arcade hardware.
Installation and PCB Requirements
- Designed for documented compatible original Konami Pooyan arcade PCBs.
- Access to the original arcade PCB is required during installation.
- This kit requires a standard Z80 processor.
- Encrypted Z80 processors are not compatible with this save kit.
- The kit installs at the documented 40-pin Z80 processor location.
- No soldering is required when the required Z80 processor location already has a compatible 40-pin socket.
- 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 Pooyan 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 Pooyan 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, 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 Pooyan gameplay, Free Play, local score saving, menu operation, cabinet settings, or ROM Saver operation.
Pooyan Kit FAQ
Which arcade PCB does the HighScoreSaves Pooyan kit support?
The kit is designed for documented compatible original Konami Pooyan arcade PCBs.
How many high scores does the Pooyan kit save?
The kit stores the Top 10 supported scores with player initials using reliable serial EEPROM storage.
Does the Pooyan kit support Free Play and Coin-Up?
Yes. The kit supports Free Play and traditional Coin-Up operation.
How is the HighScoreSaves Pooyan 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, or 4 lives.
What processor is required?
A standard Z80 processor is required. Encrypted Z80 processors are not compatible with this save kit.
Does installation require soldering?
No soldering is required when the Z80 CPU location is already socketed. If the Z80 is soldered directly to the PCB, a compatible 40-pin socket must be installed first.
What does ROM Saver do?
ROM Saver allows designated original program ROMs to be removed when the kit is installed as directed in the Pooyan installation guide.
Is Wi-Fi required?
No. Standard kits save supported scores and settings locally. Wi-Fi is optional for online leaderboard support.