Galaga Free Play and High Score Save Kit

HighScoreSaves Galaga Free Play and High Score Save Kit

Upgrade a compatible original Midway, Namco, or documented Galaga-compatible arcade PCB with Free Play, permanent Top 5 score and initials saving, eight-digit scoring, selectable firing speeds, Auto Fire, a Level 255 fix, menu-driven settings, and optional Wi-Fi leaderboard support.

This HighScoreSaves daughterboard operates on the original Galaga arcade hardware without emulation. Standard Galaga gameplay remains available, while Auto Fire and alternate shooting-speed settings can be enabled only when those optional features are desired.

A Galaga Upgrade for Original Arcade Hardware

This product adds modern menu, score-saving, and gameplay options to a compatible original Galaga arcade PCB. It does not replace the game board with a reproduction PCB, emulation platform, or multicade system.

The standard game remains selectable with its normal controls, firing behavior, timing, graphics, and sound. Auto Fire and alternate shooting speeds are optional settings that intentionally change firing behavior when enabled.

This page covers the HighScoreSaves Galaga kit sold and supported by HighScoreSaves. Other Galaga upgrade products may use different features, controls, hardware requirements, and installation procedures.

Galaga Game-Menu Access

During attract mode, hold Player 1 Start for approximately four seconds to open the HighScoreSaves game and settings menu.

Free Play and Permanent Score Saving

• Permanent Top 5 score saving: Retains the five highest supported scores after cabinet power is removed.
• Player initials: Saves qualifying initials with each supported high score.
• Battery-free storage: Uses serial EEPROM storage rather than a replaceable score-save battery.
• Free Play: Start games without inserting coins.
• Coin operation: Continue using quarters or tokens when Free Play is disabled.
• High-score backup and restore: Manage supported saved score data through the kit menu.
• Separate score tables: Maintain supported high-score tables for two-, three-, four-, or five-life settings.
• High-score reset: Clear saved score data through the supported settings menu.

Galaga Gameplay and Scoring Options

The following features are selectable. Normal Galaga firing and scoring behavior remain available when optional gameplay changes are disabled.

• Auto Fire: Enable or disable automatic firing through the HighScoreSaves menu.
• Four shooting speeds: Choose Normal, Slow, Fast, or Fastest firing behavior.
• Eight-digit scoring: Supports displayed scores as high as 99,999,990.
• Level 255 fix: Allows supported game progression to continue beyond the original Level 255 behavior.
• Upright and cocktail support: Compatible with documented upright and cocktail cabinet configurations.

Attract Sounds, Logos, and On-Screen Settings

• Adjustable attract sounds: Choose Off, 25%, 50%, or 100% of the supported attract rotation.
• Full attract audio: Select 100% when sound is wanted throughout each supported attract cycle.
• Rotating attract displays: Changes supported attract screens rather than continuously displaying one static screen.
• Attract-logo selection: Choose a supported Midway, Namco, or HighScoreSaves logo.
• Menu-driven DIP settings: Adjust supported game settings through the on-screen menu rather than changing physical DIP switches.
• ROM Saver: The kit supplies supported program code, allowing designated original program ROMs to be removed where directed by the installation guide.
• Saved settings: Supported configuration changes are retained locally by the kit.

PCB Compatibility and Installation Requirements

• Supported hardware: Designed for documented original Midway, Namco, and compatible Galaga clone PCB configurations.
• Clone-board verification: Not every Galaga-style or reproduction PCB is compatible. Compare the exact board layout with the installation guide before ordering.
• PCB access required: The original arcade game board must be accessed during installation.
• Z80 processor required: The kit installs at the documented 40-pin Z80 processor location.
• Original processor: The original Z80 is removed from the PCB and installed on the kit unless a compatible processor option is selected.
• No soldering when socketed: Installation does not require soldering when the required Z80 location already has a compatible socket.
• Soldered processor: If the Z80 is soldered directly to the PCB, a qualified arcade technician must install a compatible 40-pin socket.
• Orientation: Verify Pin 1 alignment and inspect every processor pin before restoring cabinet power.

Installation Information

Standard and Optional Wi-Fi Versions

The standard kit permanently saves supported scores, initials, and settings locally. It does not require an internet connection.

The optional 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi version includes the same local features and can also submit supported completed scores after qualifying initials are entered.

Wi-Fi can be disabled without affecting Galaga gameplay, Free Play, local score saving, or menu settings.

Galaga Kit FAQ

Resources