Galaga Free Play and High Score Save Kit
Product information "Galaga Free Play and High Score Save Kit"
Upgrade Your Original Midway or Namco Galaga Arcade PCB
The HighScoreSaves Galaga Free Play and High Score Save Kit upgrades compatible original Midway, Namco, and documented Galag bootleg arcade PCBs with Free Play, permanent Top 5 high score saving with player initials, adjustable attract sounds, and optional Wi-Fi leaderboard support. Enjoy eight-digit scoring, four selectable firing speeds, optional Auto Fire, the Level 255 fix, separate lives-based score tables, and menu-driven operator settings while retaining your original Galaga arcade hardware, controls, graphics, sound, timing, and gameplay. This is an original-hardware upgrade, not an emulator or replacement multicade PCB.
|
Free Play Play with or without coins |
High Score Saving Top 5 scores saved with initials! |
|
Attract Sounds Selectable in settings |
Optional Wi-Fi Upload scores to Personal and Global pages! |
Galaga PCB Compatibility at a Glance
| Compatible PCB | Original Midway Galaga, Namco Galaga, and documented compatible Galag bootleg PCB configurations |
|---|---|
| CPU location | Documented original Z80 CPU socket; secondary installation locations differ by PCB: Midway 3HJ and Namco 3F |
| CPU socket | Compatible 40-pin Z80 CPU socket required |
| Installation | Z80 daughterboard and 3JH daughtercard; documented Galag bootleg also requires a supplied 2732 EPROM at J4 |
| Cabinet support | Supported original upright and cocktail Galaga configurations |
Choose Your Galaga Kit Version
Standard Kit
Stores supported Top 5 high scores with player initials, settings, and configuration data locally on the installed HighScoreSaves kit. No internet connection required.
Wi-Fi Enabled Kit
Includes Standard features and can submit qualifying completed scores to the HighScoreSaves global leaderboard using compatible 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi.
What's Included
Core kit hardware:
- 1 × HighScoreSaves Z80 Daughter Card
- 1 × HighScoreSaves 3JH Daughter Card
Z80 processor required: Transfer the compatible original Z80 processor to the HighScoreSaves daughterboard, or select an optional compatible replacement processor when ordering.
Galag bootleg installation: The documented compatible Galag bootleg configuration additionally uses the supplied 2732 EPROM at socket J4. Follow the bootleg-specific installation guide instructions.
Optional accessories: A replacement Z80 CPU and compatible 40-pin CPU socket can be selected when ordering if needed.
Installation & Helpful Guides
Identify your exact Galaga PCB before installation. Follow the documented Midway, Namco, or Galag bootleg procedure and confirm CPU orientation and daughterboard clearance before restoring power.
| Galaga PCB Compatibility & Kit Details Compare Midway, Namco, and documented Galag bootleg arcade PCBs before ordering |
| View Galaga Installation Guide PDF Z80 installation, Midway and Namco board locations, bootleg EPROM instructions, and clearance checks |
Additional Details & Resources
Select any section below to see more details.
Advanced Kit Features
| Original Galaga Hardware | Uses compatible original Galaga arcade PCB hardware, controls, graphics, and sound rather than replacing the game with an emulator or reproduction PCB. |
|---|---|
| Free Play & Coin Operation | Play Galaga without inserting coins or retain supported traditional coin-up operation when Free Play is disabled. |
| Top 5 High Score Saving | Permanently saves the Top 5 supported high scores with player initials after the cabinet is powered off. |
| Battery-Free Storage | Uses serial EEPROM storage to retain supported scores, initials, and settings without requiring a replaceable backup battery. |
| Separate Score Tables | Maintains independent supported high score tables for 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-life game settings. |
| Eight-Digit Scoring | Supports extended displayed scoring up to 99,999,990 points. |
| Auto Fire | Enable or disable automatic firing through the HighScoreSaves settings menu. |
| Four Firing Speeds | Select Normal, Slow, Fast, or Fastest. To retain standard Galaga shooting behavior, disable Auto Fire and choose Normal firing speed. |
| Level 255 Fix | Allows supported Galaga progression to continue beyond the original Level 255 behavior. |
| Adjustable Attract Sounds | Choose Off, 25%, 50%, or 100% of supported attract-mode rotations. The 100% setting enables supported attract audio throughout each rotation. |
| Rotating Attract Displays | Cycles supported attract screens rather than continuously displaying one static screen. |
| Attract Logo Selection | Choose supported Midway, Namco, or HighScoreSaves branding for the attract display. |
| On-Screen Settings | Configure supported game settings and operator options through the HighScoreSaves menu. |
| Score Backup & Restore | Back up supported saved high score data and restore it through the kit settings menu. |
| High Score Reset | Clear supported saved high score tables through the settings menu when desired. |
| Saved Configuration | Retains supported game and operator settings locally on the installed HighScoreSaves kit. |
| ROM Saver | Allows designated original program ROMs to be removed when using the documented ROM Saver configuration. Follow the installation guide before removing any ROMs. |
Installation & Settings Access
Protected settings menu: With the cabinet powered off, hold Player 1 Start while turning on the game. Release Player 1 Start when the on-screen prompt instructs you to continue. The kit also supports its documented normal menu-access behavior during operation when enabled in settings.
Original PCB compatibility: The kit supports documented compatible original Midway Galaga, Namco Galaga, and specific Galag bootleg PCB configurations. Not every clone, reproduction PCB, or Galaga-style board is supported. Compare your original PCB directly with the installation guide before purchasing.
Verify original board operation: Confirm the original Galaga PCB is working correctly before installation. Photograph or label disconnected cables and connectors, and record all original component orientations before removing anything.
Z80 CPU installation: Locate the documented original Z80 processor, remove it from its compatible 40-pin socket, and install it on the HighScoreSaves Z80 Daughter Card, observing correct Pin 1 orientation. Install the assembled daughterboard into the original Z80 socket.
CPU socket requirement: A compatible 40-pin Z80 CPU socket is required. No soldering is normally needed when the CPU is already socketed. If the required processor is soldered directly to the PCB, a qualified arcade technician must remove it and install an appropriate socket before the kit can be used.
Midway Galaga PCB: The installation guide identifies the secondary installation location at 3HJ. Confirm the exact daughtercard placement and orientation using the Midway PCB diagram before installation.
Namco Galaga PCB: The corresponding documented secondary installation location is 3F. Use the Namco PCB diagram rather than assuming it is identical to the Midway board.
Documented Galag bootleg PCB: The pictured supported Galag bootleg configuration requires the additional supplied 2732 EPROM at socket J4, NOT K4. Select the corresponding bootleg configuration in the HighScoreSaves settings menu. Follow the specific bootleg instructions in the installation guide.
Daughterboard clearance: Check that no original PCB component, test point, or other conductive surface touches the underside of the installed HighScoreSaves daughterboard. Some original test points may require careful repositioning for adequate clearance.
High score saving: The kit permanently stores the Top 5 high scores with player initials using battery-free serial EEPROM storage. Separate supported score tables are maintained for 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-life settings.
Auto Fire and firing speeds: The kit supports optional Auto Fire and four selectable firing speeds: Normal, Slow, Fast, and Fastest. For standard Galaga firing behavior, disable Auto Fire and select Normal.
Attract sounds and logos: Choose Off, 25%, 50%, or 100% attract audio and select supported Midway, Namco, or HighScoreSaves attract-screen branding.
Optional ROM Saver: Remove only designated original program ROMs identified in the applicable installation documentation when using the ROM Saver configuration. Keep all removed components for safekeeping.
Final verification: Confirm the correct Galaga PCB-specific installation procedure, Z80 orientation, secondary daughtercard or bootleg EPROM location, safe component clearance, and connector orientation before restoring cabinet power.
Wi-Fi Setup & Global Scores
The Wi-Fi Enabled version connects to compatible 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi networks to submit qualifying completed Galaga scores to HighScoreSaves online leaderboards. The Top 5 high scores with player initials remain stored locally on the installed kit, even when Wi-Fi is disabled or unavailable. Free Play, Auto Fire, firing-speed options, attract sounds, on-screen settings, and normal Galaga gameplay also continue without an internet connection.
Standard kits save scores and settings locally without Wi-Fi hardware. Choose the Wi-Fi Enabled version when ordering if you want supported online score uploading.
Learn About HighScoreSaves Wi-Fi and Global High Scores
Manuals, Schematics & More
Stay in the Game
New arcade kits, restocks, technical tips, and exclusive offers. Delivered to your inbox.
Sign Me Up →HighScoreSaves Newsletter
Login
5 reviews
September 14, 2026 9:00 PM
Easy installation and excellent upgrade
Installed this kit on an original Galaga PCB. Installation was straightforward, and the high scores remain saved after the cabinet is powered off. Free Play works well, and the settings are easy to access. It is a great upgrade that preserves the original Galaga gameplay.
June 29, 2026 8:46 PM
Fantastic upgrade for an original Galaga cabinet
I couldn't be happier with this Galaga Free Play and High Score Save Kit. Installation was straightforward, the instructions were easy to follow, and everything worked perfectly on the first power-up. The ability to save high scores completely changes the experience, especially when friends are always trying to beat each other's scores.
The kit fits the original PCB perfectly with no permanent modifications, so I was able to keep my machine completely original. Build quality is excellent, shipping was fast, and the packaging kept everything well protected. HighScoreSaves also answered my questions quickly before I ordered. If you own an original Galaga arcade machine, this is one of the best upgrades you can make. Highly recommended!
January 10, 2026 2:30 AM
J Kramer
Easy install kit and shipped fast! Will be back!
October 19, 2025 3:16 PM
Galaga Kit
This kit was the first thing I bought when I picked up my Galaga. Not just high score saves, but also menu driven free play, lives, firing modes/speeds and attack mode/sounds. If you own a Galaga this is
a must have!
October 17, 2025 6:06 PM
So many cool changes to my Galaga
Easy install as expected. Saves scores when turned off, now has free play without coins, and what I like, fast bullet option to blast away!