I preferred the way the original MM populated the high scores. Especially since you can reach a save pedestal without having acquired 5000 points yet and if you die you won't even have accomplished a high score. When I very first started playing the game, it helped give me a psychological boost to at least accomplish that small feat while I was learning the game. Plus when you play that mansion again you can compare how you're doing to previous attempts. My Jack can be very curious and get into trouble and die.

I'll keep that in mind for Midnight Mansion 3. ;-)