Add/Enable Free Play
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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
A stacked switch is the concept of adding a credit switch on top of the start button switch. Then when the start button is pressed, it triggers both the credit switch and the start button switch simultaneously in order to start the game. On games that do not have a built-in free play option, this is one method that can be used to add a free play feature without having to add any (permanent) exterior modifications.
Here is an example for a stacked switch for an early Allied Leisure Game.
Depending upon the start button parts and game system, the stacked switch parts and wiring may vary, but the general principles are largely the same.
2.2 Coin Reject Switch
The coin reject credit switch option is the concept of adding a credit switch that can be activated by one of the coin reject buttons. On games that do not have a built-in free play option, this is one method that can be used to add a free play feature without having to add any (permanent) exterior modifications to the game. So, when the coin reject button is pressed, it activates the credit switch, and adds a credit to the game. This usually works better on games with button-style coin rejects, rather than slot-style coin rejects.
Here is an example for adding a coin reject credit switch on a Viza War game.
Depending upon the coin door style and game system, the parts and wiring may vary, but the general principles are largely the same.
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.
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
3.7.1 System 1
Gottlieb System 1 Instructions
3.7.2 System 80
- The U2/U3 ROMs can be replaced with a modified EPROM.
3.7.3 System 80A
The U2/U3 ROMs can be replaced with a modified EPROM.
3.7.4 System 80B
- Gottlieb System 80B Instructions
- The game PROM can be replaced with a modified EPROM.
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).
3.8 Heighway Pinball
A free play option is built into the game code.
3.9 Jersey Jack Pinball
A free play option is built into the game code.
3.10 Sega
A free play option is built into the game code. Instructions here.
3.11 Spooky Pinball
A free play option is built into the game code.
3.12 Stern
3.12.1 MPU-100/MPU-200
What I did to enable free play on Stern MPU-100/200 games was to hook up a leaf switch that would make contact with the coin reject mechanism.
Soldering on two wires between the coin switch and the 'free play switch', after positioning the switch correctly (I drilled two holes and used #5 sheet metal screws to hold the 'free play switch' in place). It's important when using this method that you also protect the leaf switch from grounding out on the coin reject mechanism, as it's steel and grounded.
I used heat shrink tubing, strategically cut.
https://www.pinwiki.com/wiki/index.php?title=File:PXL_20201104_050105388.jpg
https://www.pinwiki.com/wiki/index.php?title=File:PXL_20201104_050120743.jpg&oldid=20684
https://www.pinwiki.com/wiki/index.php?title=File:PXL_20201104_041722833.jpg&oldid=20685
3.12.2 SAM/Whitestar
A free play option is built into the game code.
3.12.3 SPIKE
A free play option is built into the game code.
3.13 Williams
3.13.1 System 3-7
- System 3 games cannot be set for free play.
- In the bookkeeping settings, setting adjustment 18 (maximum credits) to zero allows free play.
- New ROM code with free play and additional fixes/features for various games.
3.13.2 System 9
In the bookkeeping settings, setting adjustment 18 (maximum credits) to zero allows free play.
3.13.3 System 11/11A/11B/11C
A free play option is built into the game code. Set adjustment 23 to YES (default is NO).
3.13.4 WPC
A free play option is built into the game code. Set "Pricing Adjustment", A.3 to "YES". The default is "NO".
3.14 Zaccaria
3.14.1 8060 MPU
3.14.2 Generation 1
Modified game ROMs that enable free play are available here.
3.14.3 Generation 2
Modified game ROMs that enable free play are available here.