Battlezone Aux. and Main Board Bipolar PROM Replacement Modules:
These modules also work on Tempest and Red Baron Aux. boards because the BPROMs are the same as those used on Battlezone. All references below with respect to Battlezone also apply to Tempest and Red Baron.
These modules are also available for Cinematronics and Vectorbeam CCPU BPROM Replacement, see here.
The BX288 and BX287 can be programmed for other games as well because they can replace any 16-pin BPROM chip. Just ask me for a quote. Email
With respect to repairing the Aux. and Main circuit board used in Atari Battlezone game, you might be interested to know that there are alternatives when it comes to replacing the custom BPROM chips. The following devices are direct plug-in replacements for the original chips.
A full set of replacements for the BZ Aux board requires 1 of BX288 and 6 of BX287. See pics of a full set installed below. The Main board requires 1 of BX287 (at K7).
BX288 Module : Replacement for 74S288 (32 x 8) Type Bipolar Prom:
Installation Notes below.
The BX288 is a modern flash memory device that replaces the following 74S288 type CCPU BPROM chips:
Each BX288 module is individually programmed for a specific location. Once programmed, it must be used in that location. They are not interchangeable.
BX288 module (click images to enlarge):
Purchasing Information (AVAILABLE NOW, Dec. 27, 2009) Email me your request here Buy BX288 :
You may purchase these BPROM replacements individually for $12.00 USD each plus shipping (quotes done on request and combining all items ordered). You must specify the game title and board location for which the chip should be programmed. Each unit is labeled, programmed, and tested before shipping.
Use in other games:
If you would like me to program the BX288 module for use in another game (say other than Battlezone), just send me the binary PROM file. Be aware that I cannot test these units for all other games so they are sold as "code verified but untested in game ". I cannot accept returns since I cannot be responsible for problems due to incorrect files or incorrect installation.
Other Device Numbers:
The 74S288 type bipolar PROM (32 words x 8 bits) was very common in the 1970's up until about 1985. Similar chips with the same pin-out and functionality were supplied by many manufacturers. A few equivalent part numbers are shown below. Any of these devices might appear in your board. The BX288 will replace any of the following parts.
74S288 (National Semiconductor) equivalent devices:
AM27S19, AM27S09, AM27LS09 AMD
7112, MB7051 Fujitsu
7603-5, HM7603 Harris
5610 Intersil
6331-1, 63S081 MMI
82S123 Signetics
18S030, SN54/74S288 Texas Instruments (TI)
BX287 Module : Replacement for 74S287 (256 x 8) Type Bipolar Prom:
Installation Notes below.
The BX287 is a modern flash memory device that replaces the following 74S287 type BPROM chips:
Each BX287 module is individually programmed for a specific location. Once programmed, it must be used in that location. They are not interchangeable.
BX287 module (click images to enlarge):
Purchasing Information (AVAILABLE NOW, Dec. 27, 2009) Email me your request here Buy BX287 :
You may purchase these BPROM replacements for $20.00 USD each plus shipping (quotes done on request and combining all items ordered). You must specify the game title and board location for which the chip should be programmed. Each unit is labeled, programmed, and tested before shipping.
Use in other games:
If you would like me to program the BX287 module for use in another game (say other than Battlezone), just send me the binary PROM file. Be aware that I cannot test these units for other games so they are sold as "code verified but untested". I cannot accept returns since I cannot be responsible for problems due to incorrect files or incorrect installation.
The BX287 can be programmed to replace any 16-pin DIP BPROM including these types:
- 32x8 (74S288, 82S123) (BX288 shown above is cheaper in this case)
- 256x4 (74S287, 82S129)
- 512x4 (74S571, 82S131)
Other Device Numbers:
The 74S287 type bipolar PROM (256 words x 4 bits) was very common in the 1970's up until about 1985. Similar chips with the same pin-out and functionality were supplied by many manufacturers. A few equivalent part numbers are shown below. Any of these devices might appear in your board. The BX287 will replace any of the following parts.
74S287 (National Semiconductor) equivalent devices:
AM27S21, AM27S11 AMD
93427, 93467 Fairchild
MB7052, 7114 Fujitsu
7611-5, HM7611 Harris
3621 Intel
IM5623A, IM5623CPE Intersil
6301-1, 63S141J, 5201?, 6201? MMI
82S129 Signetics
24S10, 34S10,SN54/74S287 TI
29661 Raytheon
DM7574/8574, DM7597/8597 National
Installing the BX288 and BX287 modules is the same as plugging any DIP chip into a DIP socket. Simply align pin 1 of the module with pin 1 of the PCB socket and plug it in so that it is fully seated in the socket. Be aware that if you plug the chip into the socket backwards and power up the game, the module will be instantly destroyed and you'll have to purchase another one, so be careful!
The chips have the usual orientation features:
- Label text is readable when pin 1 is at lower left.
- Label has a dot indicating pin 1 at lower left.
- The black DIP16 plug on the bottom of the PCB has a half-circle
indentation toward the end with pin 1.- The PCB itself has an obvious [1] symbol close to pin 1.
If your original BPROM chips are soldered into the board, you'll obviously have to carefully remove them first. While you could then solder the new modules into the PCB, I strongly recommend that you take the opportunity to install new good quality DIP16 sockets into the PCB. That way you can easily plug the modules into the sockets and if you ever have issues in the future, you can easily remove them or swap them out or whatever you need to do without any hassles.
Here are the six BX287 modules installed on the Battlezone Aux board:
Here are all seven of the modules installed on the Battlezone Aux board. The single BX288 module is shown at top far left. The other six modules are all BX287.
The single BX288 on the Battlezone Aux board:
Battlezone pg.1 ---- or ---- Arcade List---- or ---- Home
Custom IC Replacements:
