I know there are some smaller options, but given the number of older pinballs that were / are considered dogs, are there any options that allow for new programming / sounds / voices that could be used to "fix" poorly designed pinballs? Just curious, as it seems like a niche that could help make those games more enjoyable.
Quoted from MtnFrost:I know there are some smaller options, but given the number of older pinballs that were / are considered dogs, are there any options that allow for new programming / sounds / voices that could be used to "fix" poorly designed pinballs? Just curious, as it seems like a niche that could help make those games more enjoyable.
I believe Fast pinball and PRoc offer solutions for this for certain Williams/Bally board sets.
I think these boards are how FunHouse 2.0, Bride of Pinbot 2.0, Cactus Canyon Continued, and the new Tales of the Arabian Nights were done.
https://fastpinball.com/products/controllers/system-11/
https://fastpinball.com/products/controllers/wpc-89/
https://fastpinball.com/products/controllers/wpc-95/
I'm actually thinking more for the 80s pinballs and the unpopular 90s games. Good to know there are those for those later, very popular titles.
Quoted from MtnFrost:I'm actually thinking more for the 80s pinballs and the unpopular 90s games. Good to know there are those for those later, very popular titles.
It's typically the older games that are complex enough to warrant just reusing their own board sets.
Also, system 11 and WPC 89 do include a lot of unloved 80s titles.
You can use a Fast setup for reprogramming most old games if you're willing to re-wire things. I believe someone used it to reprogram a Hot Shot/Big Shot game at one point and here is an example of someone doing it for Gottlieb Gladiators: https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/legend-of-zelda-a-link-to-the-past#post-5013612
Edit: The Hot Shot was done using PRoC boards -
Keep in mind the only way to do what you're suggesting is to program a new game from scratch, there is no magic solution to keep the existing rules in place and tweak them as you want. (Yes there are some ROM hacks you can use to tweak existing games, but that's not the same scope.)
It's a lot of work, and for the 'dogs' you're talking about a lot of investment in time to try and get them improved. And not something you can really easily turnkey into something other people can easily upgrade with.
The FAST solution does offer that, which is why it's more attractive, you can potentially make "2.0" kits with it for people to relatively easily install.
Quoted from Aurich:Keep in mind the only way to do what you're suggesting is to program a new game from scratch, there is no magic solution to keep the existing rules in place and tweak them as you want. (Yes there are some ROM hacks you can use to tweak existing games, but that's not the same scope.)
Exactly. With what's involved, it's easier to just start from scratch. It's actually enough work that it makes more sense to completely redesign a machine from scratch instead of modifying an existing failure. Once you are at that realization, it just turns into a homebrew by default and you may as well just redo all the artwork as well and bam, a new game is born.
I was thinking that the programming would be new, and not a minor tweak on the existing, given as you've pointed out, it's simpler. And of course, you're not tied to the existing, very limited board architecture they had.
Do it every day, programming knackered old 80s/90s pinball games and remaking them into modern masterpieces. Only virtual pinball though, and AFAIK, I am the only person on planet Earth doing it, because it's insanely difficult. But I like insanely difficult.
Quoted from MtnFrost:I was thinking that the programming would be new, and not a minor tweak on the existing, given as you've pointed out, it's simpler. And of course, you're not tied to the existing, very limited board architecture they had.
You're only not tied to the existing board architecture if you truly replace things. Really anything is possible, it just depends on the work you want to put in.
Quoted from zacaj:Lisy mpus run a raspberry pi and you can put custom code on
This is a good option to explore too. The LISY thread is here:
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/diy-lisy-a-replacement-mpu-for-gottlieb-bally-amp-stern
For sys11 boardsets the fast controller is a drop in replacement for the cpu and the rest of the boards remain. Same with the 90s wpc version - tho with that you could also do a proc board.
Have you seen what is being done with swords of fury right now? Exactly what you are talking about, plus you can play the classic version as well.
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/swords-of-vengeance-a-conversion-kit-sequel-to-lionman#post-6959263
A ton is f work to rewrite a game but I at less than a scratch homebrew build
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