Warlords Free Play and High Score Save Kit for Original Warlords Hardware

Warlords Kit Details and Benefits

The Warlords Free Play and High Score Save Kit upgrades documented compatible original Atari Warlords arcade hardware with Free Play, permanent Top 5 score saving for Single and Team play, menu-driven settings, serial EEPROM storage, adjustable attract sounds, ROM Saver support, backup and restore, and optional Wi-Fi leaderboard support.

This is a focused original-hardware upgrade for Warlords. It keeps the original PCB platform, controls, sound, timing, and multiplayer gameplay feel while adding reliable score retention and convenient operator settings.

Main Warlords Kit Features

• Original Warlords PCB support: Designed for documented compatible original Atari Warlords arcade hardware.
• Permanent score saving: Saves the Top 5 supported scores for Single and Team play.
• Free Play: Start games without inserting coins.
• Coin-Up operation: Continue using traditional quarters or tokens when desired.
• Serial EEPROM score storage: Saves supported scores and settings without batteries or NVRAM.
• Attract sounds: Enable sounds 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: Original program ROMs may optionally be removed.
• Backup and restore: Save and restore supported high-score data when needed.
• Separate score tables: Independent score tables for supported 2, 3, 4, and 5 lives settings.
• Reset Button: Restart Warlords without cycling cabinet power.
• Fast Boot: Provides quick startup and initialization.
• Stealth Mode: Boots directly into gameplay mode.
• 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 Warlords to start without inserting coins. Traditional Coin-Up operation can still be used when desired, making the kit suitable for home arcades, collector cabinets, and games that continue to accept quarters or tokens.

The kit saves the Top 5 supported scores for both Single and Team play. Score and settings data is stored through serial EEPROM rather than batteries or NVRAM, helping preserve scores locally on the PCB.

Separate score tables are supported for 2, 3, 4, and 5 lives settings. Backup and restore support also gives the cabinet owner a way to preserve and restore saved score data when needed.

Attract Sounds, ROM Saver, and Cabinet Support

Attract sounds can be enabled at 25%, 50%, or 100% intervals. This gives the cabinet owner control over how frequently audio plays while Warlords is in attract mode.

ROM Saver support allows optional removal of the designated original program ROMs. The original Atari Warlords PCB hardware remains the core platform for the game.

Warlords cabinet support includes documented upright and cocktail configurations, preserving the original controls and multiplayer arcade presentation.

Installation and PCB Requirements

• Designed only for documented compatible original Atari Warlords arcade PCBs.
• A 6502 processor is required for installation.
• The kit includes a 6502 daughter card.
• The original 6502 is installed on the daughter card, and the daughter card is installed where the 6502 was located.
• No soldering is required when the 6502 location already has a compatible 40-pin socket.
• If the 6502 is soldered directly to the PCB, a compatible 40-pin socket must be installed before using the kit.
• Original program ROMs may optionally be removed as part of the ROM Saver setup.
• Verify Pin 1 and processor orientation 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.

Warlords Kit FAQ

Which PCB is required?

This kit is designed only for documented compatible original Atari Warlords arcade PCBs.

What CPU is required?

A 6502 processor is required. The original processor is installed on the HighScoreSaves daughter card during installation.

Does installation require soldering?

Not when the 6502 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 scores for both Single and Team play.

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 sounds?

Yes. Attract sounds 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.