Swimmer Free Play and High Score Save Kit for Original Swimmer Hardware
Upgrade a documented compatible original Swimmer arcade PCB with Free Play, permanent Top 5 score saving with initials, menu-driven settings, serial EEPROM storage, attract-music options, ROM Saver support, backup and restore, and optional Wi-Fi leaderboard support.
This HighScoreSaves kit is designed for original Swimmer arcade hardware. It is not an emulation platform, reproduction board, or generic multicade replacement. The upgrade preserves the original Swimmer gameplay while adding modern score-saving and operator convenience features.
Swimmer High Score Save Kit Features
A focused upgrade for original Swimmer PCBs that adds Free Play, Top 5 score saving, attract-music control, on-screen settings, and optional online leaderboard support.
- Designed for documented compatible original Swimmer arcade PCBs
- Permanent Top 5 high score saving with initials
- Free Play with traditional Coin-Up operation available
- Serial EEPROM score storage with no batteries required
- Attract music adjustable at 25%, 50%, or 100% intervals
- Menu-driven DIP switch settings
- ROM Saver support for optional original program ROM removal
- Backup and restore support for saved scores
- Attract mode protection to help reduce static-screen burn
- Works in upright or cocktail cabinet configurations
- Optional 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi leaderboard support
Access the HighScoreSaves 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.
Verify Swimmer PCB Compatibility Before Ordering
- This kit is designed only for documented compatible original Swimmer arcade PCBs.
- A Z80 processor is required for installation.
- The original Z80 is installed on the HighScoreSaves daughter card, and the kit is installed where the Z80 was located.
- No soldering is required when the Z80 location already has a compatible 40-pin socket.
- If the processor is soldered directly to the PCB, a compatible 40-pin socket must be installed before using the kit.
- Review the installation guide before setup and verify processor orientation, socket condition, board compatibility, and all installation steps before restoring cabinet power.
Read more below
Swimmer Kit Details and Benefits
The Swimmer Free Play and High Score Save Kit upgrades documented compatible original Swimmer arcade hardware with Free Play, permanent Top 5 high score saving with initials, menu-driven settings, serial EEPROM storage, attract-music options, ROM Saver support, backup and restore, and optional Wi-Fi leaderboard support.
This is a focused original-hardware upgrade for Swimmer. It keeps the original PCB platform, controls, sound, timing, and gameplay feel while adding reliable score retention and convenient operator settings.
Main Swimmer Kit Features
- Original Swimmer PCB support: Designed for documented compatible original Swimmer arcade hardware.
- Permanent score saving: Saves the Top 5 supported high scores with initials.
- Free Play: Start games without inserting coins.
- Coin-Up operation: Continue using traditional coins or tokens when desired.
- Serial EEPROM score storage: Saves supported scores and settings without batteries or NVRAM.
- Attract music: Enable music at 25%, 50%, or 100% intervals.
- Attract mode protection: Helps reduce static-screen burn during attract mode.
- Menu-driven DIP switches: Change supported settings directly on-screen.
- ROM Saver support: Optionally remove original program ROMs to reduce power consumption.
- Backup and restore: Save and restore supported high-score data when needed.
- Cabinet compatibility: Works in upright and cocktail cabinet configurations.
- Optional Wi-Fi: Add supported online score submission while retaining local score saving.
Accessing the Settings Menu
To access the supported HighScoreSaves 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 Swimmer to start without inserting coins. Traditional Coin-Up operation can still be used when desired, making the kit useful for home arcades, collector cabinets, and routed games.
The kit saves the Top 5 supported scores with initials. Score and settings data is stored through serial EEPROM instead of batteries or NVRAM, helping preserve scores locally on the PCB.
Backup and restore support gives the cabinet owner a way to manage saved score data when testing, maintaining, or restoring a cabinet.
Attract Music, ROM Saver, and Cabinet Support
Attract music can be enabled at 25%, 50%, or 100% intervals. This gives the cabinet owner control over how often attract audio plays while the game is idle.
ROM Saver support allows optional original program ROM removal to reduce power consumption and heat. The original PCB hardware remains the core platform for the game.
Swimmer cabinet support includes documented upright and cocktail configurations, preserving the original control layout and arcade presentation.
Installation and PCB Requirements
- Designed only for documented compatible original Swimmer arcade PCBs.
- A Z80 processor is required for installation.
- The kit includes a Z80 daughter card.
- The original Z80 is installed on the daughter card, and the daughter card is installed where the Z80 was located.
- No soldering is required when the Z80 location already has a compatible 40-pin socket.
- If the Z80 is soldered directly to the PCB, a compatible 40-pin socket must be installed before using the kit.
- Optional program ROMs can be removed as part of the ROM Saver setup.
- Verify the notch and Pin 1 orientation on the Z80 before restoring power.
- Review the installation guide, double-check all work, and power off immediately if the game does not start after installation.
Standard and Optional Wi-Fi Versions
Standard kits save supported scores and settings locally. An internet connection is not required for gameplay, Free Play, Coin-Up operation, menu access, or local score saving.
Optional 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi kits include the same local features and add supported online score submission through the HighScoreSaves leaderboard platform.
Wi-Fi can be disabled without affecting local gameplay, Free Play, Coin-Up operation, score saving, or settings-menu operation.
Swimmer Kit FAQ
Which PCB is required?
This kit is designed only for documented compatible original Swimmer arcade PCBs.
What CPU is required?
A Z80 processor is required. The processor must be installed on the HighScoreSaves daughter card during installation.
Does installation require soldering?
Not when the Z80 location already has a compatible socket. If the processor is soldered directly to the PCB, a compatible 40-pin socket must be installed first.
How many scores are saved?
The kit saves the Top 5 supported high scores with initials.
Does it support Free Play and Coin-Up?
Yes. Free Play is supported, and traditional Coin-Up operation can still be used.
How do I 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.
Does it support attract music?
Yes. Attract music can be enabled at 25%, 50%, or 100% intervals.
Is Wi-Fi required?
No. Standard kits save supported scores locally. Wi-Fi is optional for online leaderboard support.