I was wondering how Asteroids still saves scores, even after 31+ years.

blkdog7

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I was wondering how Asteroids still saves scores, even after 31+ years.

Tech gurus, clue me in... How is it that my Asteroids Deluxe is still saving scores, even after 31 years? Think about that for a second. Whoa. These guys at Atari were Ninjas, weren't they? How'd they do that?!?!?
 
No battery, an Earom is also used on Centipede, Dig dug, etc...

It's non-volatile unlike the ram in your computer, once power is cut the scores are still there.
 
I guess a person could compare the high score save on this game to writing the scores to a compact flash card or thumb drive today.
 
Why were they so clever that they were able to figure that out but everyone else used things like batteries, etc.?
 
In English? :)

Is this a battery backed ROM? Does it have a shelf life? Should we be thinking about replacing this ROM?

Basically, when you get a high score...the game permanently (sort of) stores the score in the EAROM chip. When you beat this score....the game erases the old score and replaces it with the new score (this is why I said "sort of"). You can take the EAROM chip out of your Asteroids Deluxe....and install it into a different motherboard.....and keep YOUR high scores. They are permanently on the EAROM chip, that is, until you or the game erases them.

Edward
 
high score saves adds a lil bit more replay value to a cab i think personaly.my asteroids gets more play that it did before i put the high score save kit in,picked up a deluxe last week and i am having a blast on it,only saves the top 3 high scores though after you turn off and power on the following day.
:)
 
i completely agree high score saves add an extra level of competition and replay. that's probably why my pac gets the least play out of all my games.
 
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