Scramble Arcade PCB Upgrade Guide
Compare two HighScoreSaves upgrade options for Scramble arcade hardware: the dedicated Scramble Free Play and High Score Save Kit and the Scramble | Super Cobra Multigame Kit. Both retain the arcade PCB as the foundation of the game, but they have different hardware requirements and installation needs.
The single-game kit is intended for a Scramble PCB and installs at the main Z80 processor. The multigame kit supports both original and bootleg Scramble PCBs and adds eight games, but requires additional socketed locations on the board. Review the compatibility information below before ordering.
Scramble Free Play and High Score Save Kit — Installation Guide
View Install Guide (PDF)Scramble | Super Cobra Multigame Kit — Installation Guide
View Install Guide (PDF)Which Scramble Kit Fits Your PCB?
Scramble Free Play and High Score Save Kit
Choose the dedicated Scramble kit if you want to keep the cabinet focused on Scramble while adding Free Play, permanent high score saving and menu-based configuration. Installation uses the main Z80 processor location on the Scramble PCB. If that processor is soldered directly to the board, a compatible 40-pin socket must be installed before the kit can be fitted.
View Scramble Free Play and High Score Save KitScramble | Super Cobra Multigame Kit
Choose the multigame kit if you want to use compatible Scramble hardware to play Scramble, Super Cobra, Anteater, Frogger, Amidar, Armored Car, Turtles and The End. This kit supports original and bootleg Scramble PCBs, but board layouts and socketing vary. Before ordering, inspect the main CPU at 1A/1C, sound Z80 at 3G/4G, graphics ROM positions 5F and 5H, and PROM position 6E.
View Scramble | Super Cobra Multigame KitHighScoreSaves • Scramble arcade PCB upgrades • Z80-based original and compatible arcade hardware
Choosing Between the Scramble Upgrade Kits
The best Scramble upgrade depends on whether you want to preserve a dedicated Scramble game or expand a compatible Scramble PCB into a multigame system. The two kits also have different installation requirements, so identifying how your PCB is socketed is an important pre-purchase step.
Dedicated Scramble Kit
- Designed for a Scramble arcade PCB.
- Keeps the cabinet dedicated to Scramble rather than adding additional games.
- Uses the original or replacement Z80 processor on the HighScoreSaves daughter card.
- Installs at the main Z80 location on the lower PCB in the two-board stack.
- The upper sound board does not require modification for the single-game kit installation.
- If the main Z80 is soldered to the PCB, socket installation is required before fitting the kit.
Scramble | Super Cobra Multigame Kit
The multigame kit expands compatible Scramble hardware to eight games: Scramble, Super Cobra, Anteater, Frogger, Amidar, Armored Car, Turtles and The End.
- Supports original Scramble PCBs and compatible bootleg Scramble PCBs.
- Uses a main daughter board at the CPU location 1A/1C.
- Uses a sound daughter board at the sound Z80 location 3G/4G.
- Uses a graphics daughter board at positions 5F and 5H.
- Uses a PROM board at position 6E.
- Connects the multigame boards with the supplied ribbon cable.
Why PCB Socket Inspection Matters
Scramble PCBs are not all configured identically. HighScoreSaves has encountered boards with the main CPU soldered, the sound CPU soldered, graphics ROM locations without sockets, or the PROM at 6E soldered directly to the board. Other boards may already have all required locations socketed.
Check your PCB before ordering rather than assuming the installation will require no soldering. The multigame installation guide shows the locations that must be inspected and should be compared with your actual board.
Original Arcade Hardware, Different Upgrade Paths
These kits are upgrades for Scramble arcade PCB hardware rather than replacement emulation systems. The dedicated kit retains Scramble as the game while adding HighScoreSaves functionality. The multigame kit uses compatible Scramble hardware as the platform for the additional supported games.
Before ordering, review the Scramble installation guide or the Scramble Multigame installation guide . When you are ready to order, view the dedicated Scramble kit or the Scramble | Super Cobra Multigame kit .