Revision as of 09:11, 19 October 2020


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1 Introduction

Most modern game systems have a free play option available within the game's settings. However, older games do not always have an obvious way to enable free play. That being the case, the goal is (with the original boardset) to avoid having to install an extra switch / button on the outside of the cabinet or coin door and to avoid having to open the coin door.

There are a few different options depending on the game system:

Set the first replay score value to 10,000 (or whatever the lowest possible score is).
Add a stacked switch to the start/credit button switch.
Add a switch to the coin reject button.
System-specific wiring / jumper modifications.
Replace the game ROM with an EPROM with a modified version of the game code (typically known as a free play ROM or Home ROM). Some of these ROMs have additional fixes/features beyond just a free play option. Most MPUs will need to have some jumpers changed in order to accommodate an EPROM.

2 Generic Solutions

2.1 Stacked Switch

This is specifically from an Allied Leisure game, however the principals of how to add a secondary switch to your existing credit (start) button still apply.

Essentially, enabling free play involves stacking a second switch on top of the credit switch.

Free play switch
Wire in J5-7
Credit switch stack with free play microswitch

2.1.1 Materials

3" and 16" pieces of 18AWG wire.
Two quick disconnect connectors
Microswitch with 4" actuator wire (Marco Specialties)
Microswitch Mounting Bracket/Holder (Gottlieb 26481)

2.1.2 Instructions

Unscrew credit switch from bracket. Remove curved metal cover plate (discard it or put it in a parts drawer).
Desolder wire from top most leaf blade lug
Strip ends of 3" wire. Take one end of the 3" wire and the wire that was just desoldered, and solder both onto the lug on the top most leaf blade.
Remove the top most switch spacer
Enlarge the mounting holes in the nylon microswitch mounting bracket with a 3/16" drill bit. Note that it will bind up if you go too deep to fast. Or, file down the insulator tubes. Note that the first method of enlarging the holes is preferred since it allows the free play switch mod to be easily reversible in the future.
Push the holder onto the switch stack. Screw down the switch stack to the bracket.
Slip the microswitch on the posts on the holder.
Bend the actuator wire so that the middle leaf blade activates the microswitch. However, make sure that the two top most leaf blades make contact before the microswitch is activated, or players will not actually press the credit button in far enough to both add a credit and start a game.
Trim the excess wire off the actuator wire.
Crimp a quick disconnect connector on the 3" piece of wire. Connect this to the middle lug on the microswitch.
For the 16" piece of wire, slip it into one of the black wire straps above the ball tilt assembly.
Strip both ends of the wire. On the end closest to the front of the cabinet, crimp a quick disconnect connector. Connect it to the lug spaced furthest from the other two lugs (if you are looking down into the cabinet, it would be the right-most lug)
On the other end of the 16" wire, crimp a 60617-1 scoket connector. Insert it into the J5 connector in the position for pin 7.
Done! Be sure to test the position of the actuator wire.

2.1.3 Issues

Note that if there is more than 1 credit, pressing and holding the credit button for too long will start a game with more than one player.

2.2 Coin Reject Switch

2.3 Add-Ons

onecircuit.com/CoinUp - Designed for video arcade games, but might also be applicable to pinball machines. However, this device will not work with games that include the coin switches within a switch matrix.

2.4 Replay Score

This option may work when bringing games to shows more than in a home environment. Set a replay score that is very low so it can easily be achieved in order for a credit to be awarded. This is most common on classic Bally SS games where the replay can be set as low as 10,000, which even on simply plunging the balls is typically hard to not achieve.

3 Game Systems

3.1 Allied Leisure

3.1.1 Generation 1

Credit switch stack instructions

3.1.2 Generation 2

A game-specific free play option is not available.

3.2 Atari

3.2.1 Generation 1

No game-specific free play options available.

3.2.2 Generation 2

The MPU dip switch in switch section A, switch 6 will enable free play when set to "on".

3.3 Bally

3.3.1 -17/-35/-133 MPU

New ROM code with free play and additional fixes/features for various games.

TwoBits / Game Boards USA - Fix It module

~~Add-on coin door connector board~~ (NLA?)

3.3.2 Hybrid Games (-133 MPU)

On the MPU, setting dip switch 30 to "on" enables free play mode.

3.3.3 6803 MPU

In the menu settings, go to adjustment 42, and set the value to 65.

3.4 Capcom

A free play option is built into the game code. Set menu option B:10 to YES. Default is NO.

3.5 Data East

Setting Data East games for free play

3.6 GamePlan

On the MPU, setting dip switch 8 to "on" enables free play. The credit display will show 99 credits, credits will be subtracted until reaching 0, and then cycle back around to 99.

3.7 Gottlieb

3.7.5 System 3

A free play option is built into the game code. To access this option in a menu with Cue Ball Wizard and newer games, the tournament switch must be switched to ON. On earlier games, the setting varies (adjustment 27 on Lights Camera Action, but adjustment 29 on Deadly Weapon).