Galaga Free Play and High Score Save Kit for Original Arcade Hardware
Upgrade a compatible original Midway, Namco, or documented Galaga-compatible arcade PCB with the HighScoreSaves Galaga Free Play and High Score Save Kit.
This original-hardware daughterboard adds permanent Top 5 score and initials saving, Free Play, eight-digit scoring, a Level 255 fix, adjustable attract sounds, Auto Fire, four selectable firing speeds, menu-driven settings, and optional Wi-Fi leaderboard submission.
HighScoreSaves Galaga Kit
Standard Galaga gameplay remains available on the original arcade PCB. Auto Fire and alternate shooting speeds are optional settings that can be enabled only when desired.
- Permanent Top 5 scores and player initials
- Free Play with optional coin operation
- Eight-digit scoring up to 99,999,990
- Level 255 progression fix
- Normal, Slow, Fast, and Fastest firing speeds
- Selectable Auto Fire
- Adjustable attract sounds and logo selection
- Optional 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi leaderboard support
Open the HighScoreSaves Menu
During attract mode, hold Player 1 Start for approximately four seconds to open the Galaga kit menu. Use the menu to configure supported game settings, firing options, score features, attract sounds, and other kit functions.
Verify Galaga PCB Compatibility
- Confirm that the cabinet contains a supported Midway, Namco, or documented compatible Galaga PCB.
- Not every clone, reproduction, or Galaga-style board is compatible. Compare the exact PCB layout with the installation guide.
- Access to the original arcade PCB is required during installation.
- The kit installs at the documented 40-pin Z80 processor location.
- No soldering is required when the required Z80 location already has a compatible socket.
- If the Z80 is soldered directly to the PCB, a qualified arcade technician must install a compatible socket.
Other Galaga Arcade Upgrades
Other Galaga upgrade products have been produced by third parties. This category covers the HighScoreSaves Galaga kit sold and supported by HighScoreSaves, including its documented settings, score-saving features, optional gameplay modes, PCB compatibility, and optional Wi-Fi support.
Related Classic Arcade Kit Categories
Galaxian Kits | Gaplus Kits | Space Invaders Kits | Gorf Kits | Phoenix Kits
Galaga Kit Details and Benefits
The HighScoreSaves Galaga Free Play and High Score Save Kit adds permanent score and initials saving, Free Play, menu-driven settings, expanded scoring, selectable firing options, and optional Wi-Fi support to documented compatible original Galaga arcade hardware.
The kit operates on the original arcade PCB without emulation. Normal Galaga gameplay remains available, while Auto Fire and alternate shooting speeds can be enabled only when those optional gameplay settings are desired.
Access the Galaga Kit Menu
During attract mode, hold Player 1 Start for approximately four seconds to open the HighScoreSaves menu. Supported game settings, score options, firing modes, attract sounds, and kit functions can be configured through this menu.
Free Play and High Score Saving
- Permanent Top 5 scores: Retains the five highest supported scores after cabinet power is removed.
- Player initials: Stores qualifying initials with each saved high score.
- Free Play: Start games without inserting coins.
- Coin operation: Continue accepting 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 score tables for two-, three-, four-, or five-life settings.
- Score-table reset: Clear saved high scores through the supported menu option.
Advanced Galaga Features
- Eight-digit scoring: Supports displayed scores as high as 99,999,990.
- Level 255 fix: Allows supported gameplay progression to continue beyond the original Level 255 behavior.
- Selectable Auto Fire: Enable or disable automatic firing through the kit menu.
- Four firing speeds: Choose Normal, Slow, Fast, or Fastest.
- Standard gameplay available: Select Normal firing and disable Auto Fire to retain the standard Galaga firing behavior.
- Upright and cocktail support: Compatible with documented upright and cocktail cabinet configurations.
Attract Sounds, Logos, and Settings
- Adjustable attract sounds: Select Off, 25%, 50%, or 100% of the supported attract rotation.
- Full attract audio: Select 100% to hear sound throughout each supported attract cycle.
- Rotating attract displays: Changes supported attract screens instead of continuously displaying one static image.
- Logo selection: Choose a supported Midway, Namco, or HighScoreSaves attract-screen logo.
- On-screen DIP settings: Adjust supported game options through the kit menu rather than changing physical DIP switches.
- ROM Saver: Allows designated program ROMs to be removed where directed by the installation guide.
- Saved configuration: Supported settings are retained locally after they are changed.
Installation and PCB Compatibility
The kit is designed for documented compatible original Midway, Namco, and Galaga-compatible clone PCBs. Not every clone, reproduction, or Galaga-style board uses a supported layout, so compare the exact PCB with the installation guide before ordering.
- Access to the original Galaga PCB is required during installation.
- The kit installs at the documented 40-pin Z80 processor location.
- The original Z80 is transferred to the daughterboard unless a compatible processor option is selected.
- No soldering is required when the required Z80 location already has a compatible socket.
- If the Z80 is soldered directly to the PCB, a qualified arcade technician must install a compatible 40-pin socket.
- Pin 1 orientation and processor-pin alignment must be verified before cabinet power is restored.
Standard and Optional Wi-Fi Kits
The Standard Kit permanently saves supported scores, initials, settings, and configuration data locally. It does not require an internet connection.
The optional 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi Kit 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 operation.
Galaga Kit FAQ
Which Galaga boards are supported?The kit supports documented compatible Midway, Namco, and selected Galaga clone PCB configurations. Verify the exact board layout with the installation guide before ordering.
How do I open the HighScoreSaves menu?Hold Player 1 Start for approximately four seconds during attract mode.
Does the kit save player initials?Yes. Qualifying initials are permanently stored with supported Top 5 scores.
Does Auto Fire change normal Galaga gameplay?Auto Fire changes firing behavior only when enabled. Disable Auto Fire and select Normal firing speed for standard Galaga shooting behavior.
Does installation require soldering?Not when the required Z80 location already has a compatible 40-pin socket. A qualified arcade technician must install a socket when the processor is soldered directly to the PCB.
Is Wi-Fi required?No. The standard kit saves scores, initials, and settings locally. Wi-Fi is optional for online score submission.
Are other Galaga upgrade kits available?Other Galaga upgrades have been produced. This category covers the HighScoreSaves kit sold and supported by HighScoreSaves, including its documented compatibility, menu options, score-saving features, firing settings, and optional Wi-Fi support.
Related Classic Arcade Kit Categories
Galaxian Kits | Gaplus Kits | Space Invaders Kits | Gorf Kits | Phoenix Kits