Judge Dredd
| Manufacturer | System | Year | Model | Produced |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bally | WPC-DCS Sound | 1993 | 20020 | 6,990 |
1 Game-Specific Issues
1.1 Trough Switch Numbering Error
In the full manual and the small operator's handbook, the trough switches are listed as trough 1 - 6, switches 81-86 respectively. The trough switches are actually trough 6 - 1, switches 81-86 respectively. This was found in a game running L-7 code. Previous code revisions may be displayed differently.
1.2 Judge Dredd Crane and Planet
An elegant locking ring requires decent operation of two separate, motorized systems. Not only do they wear, the crane can get tied up between the
cabinet and playfield and get badly bent.
1.2.1 Tuning Judge Dredd for the Locking Ring Mod
Judge Dredd was initially intended to have balls locked / captured around the Dead World ring. By the time the game went to full production, this idea was abandoned, and Bally opted to go with virtual ball locks, except for the third ball. Now with games in the home environment, many have converted the Dead World to lock the balls as it was initially intended by the designer. The drawback is that the game must be optimally tuned for the modification to work properly. Information on prepping the game for the prototype set up can be viewed here. The locking ball kit can be purchased in different colors from Pinbits (archived link). Some kits offered by Pinbits include the proper version 1.0 ROM code necessary to make the game lock the balls.
More recently, locking deadworld ring mod is available from other sources.
Official & unofficial game code versions:
- The L-1 version of the game code that supports the ball lock ring can be found on IPDB. However, this version can only be used on prototype/early versions of the game, since a few switch designations changed between the L-1 version and later versions of the game code (such as L-6 or L-7). Note: an early game with a build date of 8/12/93 was confirmed to successfully run L-1.
- There is an L1AT free play only version of the game code that fixes the switch issues, which can run on later production games.
- There is an L1AH coin-op version of L1AT. Meaning, it allows coin-op play, whereas L1AT does not.
- There is an L-1D version (an updated version of L1AT), which includes some bug fixes (L-1D release notes).
1.3 Misplaced Connector in Head
Judge Dredd has a connector in the backbox provided for growth when originally produced. The connector is located near the lamp matrix headers on the WPC power-driver board. It should be disconnected, but occasionally it's placed onto an open header pin connection. This will cause problems with the lamp matrix, specifically with the start and supergame buttons.
1.4 Deadworld Motor Issue
The gear shown at left in the Deadworld gear box fails fairly often. This manifests as no Deadworld movement, even though the motor is turning. A good description can be found here.
While "brazing" the gears together may work, "pinning" them together will roll pins as shown on the right, is a more reliable solution. The gearbox pictured was repaired with two 1/8" roll pins. You'll need a drill press to accomplish this repair.
- Various aspects of the Deadworld Assembly to aid in rehab
The entire Deadworld assembly. All of this must be taken apart to access the gear box 
These two gears rotate the Deadworld ring and contra-rotate the Deadworld planet 
Mating of the Deadworld ring and Deadworld planet rotation gears 
Take care to not over-tighten this set screw as the plastic will crack 
Fine adjustment screws to position the Deadworld ring perfectly 
A set screw, accessed through the circled hole with a 5/64" Allen wrench, can adjust the crane angle of rotation 
The "home position" for the crane, which can be tested via game diagnostics 
The Deadworld planet lamp PCB, labeled with wire colors
2 Early Production Features
Early production games included features that were later removed. These include the "Ball on Magnet" switch located on the crane magnet as shown on the left.
Other features include an opto pair at the right ramp entrance.
Return to Williams WPC page.