Moon Patrol Free Play and High Score Save Kit
Product information "Moon Patrol Free Play and High Score Save Kit"
Upgrade Your Moon Patrol Arcade Experience
Upgrade your original Irem Moon Patrol arcade PCB with a professionally designed Free Play and High Score Save Kit from HighScoreSaves. The kit adds permanent Top 5 high score saving, Free Play, adjustable attract sounds, Practice Mode, menu-driven settings, diagnostic tools, and other modern conveniences while keeping the original arcade hardware at the center of the game.
Moon Patrol continues to run on its original Irem arcade PCB, preserving the authentic gameplay, controls, timing, sound, and side-scrolling arcade experience. This is not an emulation system, replacement PCB, or multicade platform.
Choose a Standard Save Kit for local high score saving or a Wi-Fi Enabled Kit to add supported online leaderboard uploading. Optional Z80 processor and 40-pin socket choices are also available from the product options.
Available Moon Patrol Kit Options
Standard Save Kit
Saves supported Moon Patrol high scores locally and includes the game-specific features listed below. No internet connection is required.
Wi-Fi Enabled Kit
Includes the local features of the Standard Kit plus compatible Wi-Fi hardware for supported online score uploading and leaderboard participation.
Important Installation and Compatibility Notes
- Original hardware: Designed for documented compatible original Irem Moon Patrol arcade PCBs.
- Z80 processor required: A Z80 processor must be installed on the kit as directed in the installation guide.
- Socketed CPU location required: The Moon Patrol PCB must have a compatible 40-pin socket at the Z80 processor location.
- Soldered CPU: If the Z80 is soldered directly to the PCB, a compatible 40-pin socket must be installed before the kit can be used.
- Review the guide first: Read the Moon Patrol Installation Guide before removing the CPU, program ROMs, or powering the PCB after installation.
Moon Patrol Free Play and High Score Save Kit Features
- Easy Installation: No soldering, board modifications, or special wiring are required when the Z80 processor location is already properly socketed.
- Permanent Top 5 High Score Saving: Stores the Top 5 supported Moon Patrol high scores after normal cabinet power-off.
- Serial EEPROM Storage: Uses reliable nonvolatile serial EEPROM storage instead of batteries or NVRAM for supported saved-score data.
- Free Play: Start Moon Patrol without inserting coins or repeatedly opening the coin door.
- Coin-Up Support: Traditional coin operation remains available when desired.
- Adjustable Attract Sounds: Configure attract sounds for 25%, 50%, or 100% of supported attract-screen rotations.
- Attract Mode Protection: Helps reduce monitor burn-in risk from continuously displayed static screens.
- Menu-Driven DIP Settings: Change supported game settings on screen without repeatedly accessing the physical PCB DIP switches.
- ROM Saver: Designated original program ROMs may be removed when the kit is installed as directed in the Moon Patrol Installation Guide.
- Upright and Cocktail Support: Supports documented compatible upright and cocktail Moon Patrol cabinet configurations.
Moon Patrol Game-Specific Features
- Practice Mode: Start at selectable checkpoints so difficult Moon Patrol sections can be practiced without repeatedly starting from the beginning.
- Game Menu: Quickly select supported lives settings or Practice Mode starting points.
- Separate High Score Tables: Maintains separate supported high score tables for 2, 3, or 4 lives settings.
- Backup and Restore: Back up the saved high score table and restore it later for service work, parties, events, or tournament use.
- Reset Button Support: Restart the game without cycling cabinet power when the feature is enabled.
- Flip Screen: Full flip-screen support is included for compatible cabinet configurations.
- Built-In RAM Test: Includes a diagnostic RAM test to assist with troubleshooting original arcade hardware.
- Built-In ROM Test: Includes ROM diagnostic testing for supported Moon Patrol hardware.
- Free Play Continue Behavior: Continue mode is automatically disabled while Free Play is enabled.
Access the Moon Patrol Kit Settings Menu
The HighScoreSaves settings menu provides access to supported Moon Patrol kit options, including Free Play, cabinet settings, attract sounds, score-saving options, diagnostics, and other game-specific features.
- Turn the arcade cabinet power off.
- Press and hold the Player 1 Start button.
- Turn the cabinet power on while continuing to hold Player 1 Start.
- Release Player 1 Start when the on-screen prompt tells you to continue.
Moon Patrol Installation Information
| Installation Difficulty | Easy when the CPU location is already properly socketed |
| Supported Hardware | Documented compatible original Irem Moon Patrol arcade PCB |
| Processor | Z80 required |
| CPU Socket | Compatible 40-pin socket required |
| Soldering Required | No, when the Z80 processor location is already socketed |
| Cabinet Support | Upright and cocktail |
| Score Storage | Serial EEPROM |
| Saved High Scores | Top 5 supported scores |
Always verify Pin 1 orientation, processor alignment, socket condition, daughterboard seating, and all processor pins before restoring cabinet power.
View Moon Patrol Installation Guide PDF
Optional Wi-Fi Features and Online Leaderboards
Wi-Fi is not required to use the Moon Patrol kit. The Standard Kit saves supported scores locally and operates without an internet connection.
Choosing the optional Wi-Fi Enabled Kit adds compatible Wi-Fi hardware that allows supported scores to be uploaded to the HighScoreSaves online leaderboard system. Local high score saving continues to work independently of the internet connection.
HighScoreSaves Wi-Fi Enabled Kits use a supported 2.4 GHz wireless network and the appropriate kit configuration and leaderboard credentials.
Moon Patrol Free Play and High Score Save Kit FAQ
Which arcade PCB does the HighScoreSaves Moon Patrol kit support?
The kit is designed for documented compatible original Irem Moon Patrol arcade PCBs. It is not intended as a replacement PCB or emulation system.
What if my Moon Patrol cabinet has a PCB cage?
Not all Moon Patrol cabinets were equipped with a PCB cage. If your cabinet has one, we recommend removing the cage and securely mounting the original PCB directly inside the cabinet. With the HighScoreSaves kit installed, the added height of the save kit will not fit properly inside the original PCB cage.
Which processor is required for the Moon Patrol kit?
A Z80 processor is required. The Moon Patrol PCB must have a compatible 40-pin socket at the processor location. If the processor is soldered directly to the PCB, a compatible socket must be installed before the kit can be used.
How many high scores does the Moon Patrol kit save?
The kit permanently stores the Top 5 supported Moon Patrol high scores using serial EEPROM storage.
Does the Moon Patrol kit support Free Play and Coin-Up operation?
Yes. Free Play and traditional Coin-Up operation are both supported. Continue mode is automatically disabled while Free Play is enabled.
How do I enter the Moon Patrol kit settings menu?
With cabinet power off, hold Player 1 Start while turning the game on. Release Player 1 Start when the on-screen prompt tells you to continue.
Does the Moon Patrol kit include Practice Mode?
Yes. Practice Mode allows the game to start at selectable checkpoints so specific Moon Patrol sections can be practiced without playing from the beginning each time.
Does the Moon Patrol kit have separate high score tables?
Yes. Separate supported high score tables are available for 2, 3, or 4 lives settings.
Does the Moon Patrol kit support Backup and Restore?
Yes. Saved high scores can be backed up and restored later, which can be useful for service work, events, parties, or tournament preparation.
What diagnostics are included with the Moon Patrol kit?
The kit includes built-in RAM and ROM diagnostic tests to assist with troubleshooting and service work on supported original Moon Patrol hardware.
Does the Moon Patrol kit support upright and cocktail cabinets?
Yes. Documented compatible upright and cocktail configurations are supported, and Flip Screen support is included.
Is Wi-Fi required for the HighScoreSaves Moon Patrol kit?
No. Standard kits save supported scores locally and do not require Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi is optional and is used for supported online leaderboard features.
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2 reviews
September 23, 2025 2:07 AM
Installed just fine & lots of options.
Moon Patrol seems to be the black sheep in the Williams lineup with a 3-board sandwich that the others don't have. This kit fits right next to the long sound board, maybe even a little too close on mine. I had to adjust the four mounting screws on the sound board to angle it a bit to make room but it's sturdy. The kit also extends past the bottom of the boards and can bump the coin box when the sandwich is positioned in its usual mount spot inside the cabinet. I fixed this by adjusting the position of the wood block on the near side of the boards (when looking in from the back) so the boards can't slide and bump the kit. Not a big deal and should be stable for life.
September 23, 2025 12:27 AM
Easy to install, makes it fun to play my game again
As my title says this is totally easy to install and it does make it fun to play my game again looking at the high scores and not having to coin up all the time. These are super high quality as well.