Arcade games, from classic cabinets to modern systems, have always been a target for players seeking an unfair advantage. To protect their integrity and profitability, developers employ a range of anti-exploit mechanisms. One of the most fundamental is memory protection. Games constantly monitor specific memory addresses where critical values like lives, score, or time are stored. If a value changes unexpectedly or exceeds a logical limit, the game can trigger a reset or penalty. Another key method is input validation. The game's logic checks for humanly impossible sequences of button presses or joystick movements that could indicate an automated script or turbo controller, often freezing the game in response. Checksums are also widely used. The system calculates a checksum value for critical code or save data. If the checksum doesn't match the expected value upon loading, it indicates the data has been tampered with, preventing the game from starting. Furthermore, save file encryption is crucial for games with persistent progress. By encrypting save data, developers make it extremely difficult for players to manually edit their high scores or unlocked content. Finally, physical and hardware-based security is a hallmark of arcades. Proprietary circuit boards, custom connectors, and secure enclosures are designed to deter physical tampering with the game's hardware itself. These combined software and hardware strategies form a robust defense against the most common exploits.