Galaga Instruction Magnet

HighScoreSaves Galaga Free Play and High Score Save Kit Upgrade documented compatible original Midway, Namco, or supported Galaga arcade hardware 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 upgrade operates on the original Galaga arcade PCB without replacing it with an emulation platform, reproduction game board, or generic multicade system. Standard Galaga gameplay remains available, while Auto Fire and alternate shooting speeds are optional settings. Original Arcade Hardware  •  No Emulation  •  Top 5 Scores & Initials  •  Optional Wi-Fi View Galaga Installation Guide PDF View Galaga PCB Compatibility Information Galaga Kit Highlights Free Play Start Galaga without inserting coins while retaining supported traditional coin operation when Free Play is disabled. Top 5 Scores & Initials Permanently stores the five highest supported scores and qualifying player initials. Gameplay Options Includes Auto Fire, four firing speeds, eight-digit scoring, and the Level 255 progression fix. Optional Wi-Fi Wi-Fi Enabled versions can submit qualifying scores to supported HighScoreSaves online leaderboards. Compatibility & Requirements Documented Hardware: The current installation guide illustrates compatible Midway, Namco, and one documented Galag bootleg PCB configuration. Z80 Processor: A compatible Z80 is required. Use the existing processor or select a compatible replacement CPU option when ordering. Z80 Socket: The required Z80 location must have a compatible 40-pin socket. Included Daughterboards: The current installation guide identifies one Z80 daughter card and one 3JH daughter card in the Galaga kit. Bootleg-Specific Installation: The documented Galag bootleg configuration uses an additional supplied 2732 EPROM at socket J4, not K4. Important: Do not assume every Galaga clone, reproduction, or Galaga-style PCB is compatible. Compare your exact board with the current installation guide. Not Sure Which Galaga PCB You Have? Identify Your Arcade PCB Before Ordering Compare Your PCB with the Galaga Installation Guide A Galaga Upgrade for Original Arcade Hardware This product adds modern score-saving, menu, and optional gameplay features to documented compatible original Galaga arcade hardware. It does not replace the original game board with an emulator, reproduction PCB, or multicade platform. The original Galaga controls, graphics hardware, sound hardware, timing, and game platform remain in service. Auto Fire and alternate firing speeds intentionally change firing behavior only when enabled. Select Normal firing speed and disable Auto Fire when standard Galaga shooting behavior is desired. Free Play and Permanent Score Saving Top 5 Score Saving Retains the five highest supported scores after cabinet power is removed. Player Initials Stores qualifying initials with each supported saved score. Battery-Free Storage Uses serial EEPROM storage rather than a replaceable score-save battery. Separate Score Tables Maintains supported high-score tables for two-, three-, four-, and five-life settings. Backup & Restore Manage supported saved high-score data through the kit menu. Score Reset Clear supported saved high-score data through the settings menu. Galaga Gameplay and Scoring Options Auto Fire Enable or disable automatic firing through the HighScoreSaves menu. Four Firing 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. Want Standard Galaga Firing? Disable Auto Fire and select Normal firing speed. Attract Sounds, Logos, and Menu Settings Adjustable attract sounds: Choose Off, 25%, 50%, or 100% of the supported attract rotation. Full attract audio: Select 100% for supported sound throughout each attract cycle. Rotating attract displays: Changes supported attract screens instead of continuously displaying one static screen. Attract-logo selection: Choose a supported Midway, Namco, or HighScoreSaves logo. Menu-driven game settings: Adjust supported options through the on-screen kit menu. ROM Saver: Allows designated original program ROMs to be removed when directed by the current installation documentation. Saved configuration: Supported configuration changes are retained locally by the kit. Galaga Settings Menu Access The current installation guide documents protected settings access by holding Player 1 Start while powering the cabinet on and releasing the button when prompted. The kit can also provide its normal menu-access behavior during operation when that feature is enabled in the settings. Galaga PCB Installation Requirements Z80 Daughter Card Locate the compatible Z80 processor, remove it from the original socket, and install it on the HighScoreSaves Z80 daughter card while carefully maintaining Pin 1 orientation. Check Underside Clearance After installing the daughterboard, confirm that no original PCB component or test point touches the underside of the new board. The installation guide notes that some test points may need to be carefully moved away. Midway PCB — 3HJ The current installation guide identifies the documented Midway installation point at 3HJ. Namco PCB — 3F The current installation guide identifies the corresponding Namco installation point at 3F. Documented Galag Bootleg PCB — 2732 at J4 The pictured Galag bootleg configuration requires the supplied additional 2732 EPROM at J4, not K4. The kit must also be configured for the documented bootleg setting. Before Installing the Galaga Kit 1. Confirm the PCB Is Working Verify that the original Galaga board is fully operational before installing the kit. 2. Identify the PCB Layout Compare your board directly with the documented Midway, Namco, or Galag bootleg images in the installation guide. 3. Inspect the Z80 Socket Confirm the Z80 is removable from a compatible 40-pin socket and note Pin 1 orientation. 4. Record Cable and Connector Orientation Photograph and label any connectors removed from the original PCB before installation. 5. Follow the Correct PCB-Specific Procedure Use the installation path for the actual Midway, Namco, or documented bootleg PCB rather than assuming the board layouts are interchangeable. Standard and Wi-Fi Enabled Galaga Kits Standard Kit Permanently stores supported scores, initials, settings, and configuration data locally. No internet connection is required. Wi-Fi Enabled Kit Includes the same local features and can additionally submit supported completed scores to the HighScoreSaves online leaderboard. Wi-Fi can be disabled without affecting Galaga gameplay, Free Play, local score saving, or supported menu settings. What's a Wi-Fi Enabled Kit? View Galaga Wi-Fi High Scores Galaga Kit FAQ Which Galaga PCBs are documented? The current installation guide illustrates a Midway Galaga CPU board, a Namco Galaga CPU board, and one documented Galag bootleg PCB layout. Does that mean every Galaga clone is compatible? No. Compare the exact arcade PCB with the current installation guide. Other clone, reproduction, or Galaga-style boards may use different layouts. Which processor is required? A compatible Z80 processor is required. The original Z80 can be transferred to the kit or a compatible replacement can be selected when ordering. What are the Midway and Namco installation locations? The current guide identifies the Midway PCB at 3HJ and the Namco PCB at 3F. What is different about the documented Galag bootleg PCB? The current guide requires an additional supplied 2732 EPROM at J4, not K4, and the corresponding bootleg menu configuration. Does Auto Fire permanently change Galaga? No. Auto Fire and alternate firing speeds are optional. Disable Auto Fire and select Normal firing speed for standard Galaga firing behavior. Does installation require soldering? No soldering is normally required when the required processor location is already properly socketed. A soldered required processor must be professionally removed and socketed first. Is Wi-Fi required? No. Standard kits store supported scores, initials, and settings locally. Wi-Fi is optional for supported online score submission. Galaga Kit Resources Galaga Installation Guide PDF Galaga Parts and Operating Manual PDF Galaga Arcade Schematics & Wiring Diagrams PDF Galaga PCB Compatibility Category What's a Wi-Fi Enabled Kit? Get HighScoreSaves Arcade Updates Get the latest HighScoreSaves updates for classic arcade hardware, including new kit releases, restocks, technical tips, and subscriber-only offers. New Kit Releases Restocks Technical Tips Subscriber-Only Offers JOIN THE NEWSLETTER No spam. Just useful classic arcade updates and announcements.