Arcade game manufacturers employ multiple sophisticated strategies to maintain backward compatibility with legacy titles, ensuring classic games remain playable on modern hardware. The primary method involves implementing hardware emulation, where modern systems mimic the original arcade board's architecture through software interpretation. Many manufacturers utilize the JAMMA (Japan Amusement Machine and Marketing Association) standard, which created a universal wiring harness and connector system allowing different game boards to work in identical cabinets. For precise replication, Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) technology has become industry standard, enabling manufacturers to recreate the original hardware logic at the circuit level without physical components. Some companies develop custom adapter boards that translate signals between legacy PCBs and modern systems, while others incorporate original processor chips into new hardware designs. Cloud-based solutions are emerging where game data streams from servers while local hardware handles display and control inputs. Manufacturers also preserve original ROM data through meticulous digital archiving, ensuring authentic game code remains intact regardless of hardware platform. These approaches allow arcade operators to maintain their classic game collections while gradually upgrading to newer, more reliable hardware systems.
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