Star Tech Journal
Issue: 1994-April - Vol 16 Issue 2 - Page 5
-..J....-rAR TECH JOURNAL
April 1994
WILLIAMS
MIDWAY
BALLY
STAR TREK:
NBA JAM II:
JUDGE DREDD
NEXT GEN
UNAUTHORIZED
WEAK UPPER
PLAYERS
FLIPPERS
Luo
NoTE
Kerry Messana
Betson Advance
Syracuse, New York
David G. Stanley
Snyder Amusement Co.
Easton, Pennsylvania
Larry Munday
Pojos of Idaho
Boise, Idaho
PROBLEM AREA
SUBJECT
PROBLEM
I have found a small area of con-
cern on this piece. Make sure the
lugs for the right-hand cannon
are bent up somewhat.
STAR *TECH received an in-
quiry from an operator wanting
some information on the rumor
of unauthorized players in NBA
Weak upper right flipper. This
problem could happen on any of
the new pins using an opto-cou-
pler for flipper control.
Jam/I.
PRECAUTION
If they are not there is a chance
they could hit the metal bracket
that holds the service outlet.
MuRPHv's I.Aw
#1602
Good judgment
comes from
experience,
and a lot of
SYMPTOM
BETA TEST
The software originally in some
of the NBA Jam /l's (that where
in various locations for field test-
ing) had 70 hidden characters.
Seven of those were deemed "not
appropriate" by the National
Basketball Association (NBA).
Four of those seven were charac-
ters from Mortal Kombat II.
APPROVED VERSION
The final release, that was ap-
proved by the NBA, has 60 hid-
den characters including the pro-
grammers of the game -which are
also in the original NBA Jam.
Basketball players that are not on
current NBA rosters do not ap-
pear in NBA Jam II -i.e. Magic
Johnson and Michael Jordan.
When in the test mode the flip-
per had plenty of power, but in
the game play it was very weak
and erratic. That told me the
mechanism and the Fliptronic
board were ok.
SOLUTION
The next step was logical, check
the cabinet switches. Ah ... ha!
Whatever happened to gold flash
contacts? Replacing the opto-
coupler cured the problem.
NOTE
In diagnosing this problem, I
found the built-in diagnostics to
be an asset. Thank you Williams/
Bally for the constant improve-
ments in your products.
experience
comes from
bad judgment.
MFG PHONE
&
FAX
See page 21 for updated manufacturer
Customer Service phone & fax numbers.
------------------5-----------------
April 1994
WILLIAMS
MIDWAY
BALLY
STAR TREK:
NBA JAM II:
JUDGE DREDD
NEXT GEN
UNAUTHORIZED
WEAK UPPER
PLAYERS
FLIPPERS
Luo
NoTE
Kerry Messana
Betson Advance
Syracuse, New York
David G. Stanley
Snyder Amusement Co.
Easton, Pennsylvania
Larry Munday
Pojos of Idaho
Boise, Idaho
PROBLEM AREA
SUBJECT
PROBLEM
I have found a small area of con-
cern on this piece. Make sure the
lugs for the right-hand cannon
are bent up somewhat.
STAR *TECH received an in-
quiry from an operator wanting
some information on the rumor
of unauthorized players in NBA
Weak upper right flipper. This
problem could happen on any of
the new pins using an opto-cou-
pler for flipper control.
Jam/I.
PRECAUTION
If they are not there is a chance
they could hit the metal bracket
that holds the service outlet.
MuRPHv's I.Aw
#1602
Good judgment
comes from
experience,
and a lot of
SYMPTOM
BETA TEST
The software originally in some
of the NBA Jam /l's (that where
in various locations for field test-
ing) had 70 hidden characters.
Seven of those were deemed "not
appropriate" by the National
Basketball Association (NBA).
Four of those seven were charac-
ters from Mortal Kombat II.
APPROVED VERSION
The final release, that was ap-
proved by the NBA, has 60 hid-
den characters including the pro-
grammers of the game -which are
also in the original NBA Jam.
Basketball players that are not on
current NBA rosters do not ap-
pear in NBA Jam II -i.e. Magic
Johnson and Michael Jordan.
When in the test mode the flip-
per had plenty of power, but in
the game play it was very weak
and erratic. That told me the
mechanism and the Fliptronic
board were ok.
SOLUTION
The next step was logical, check
the cabinet switches. Ah ... ha!
Whatever happened to gold flash
contacts? Replacing the opto-
coupler cured the problem.
NOTE
In diagnosing this problem, I
found the built-in diagnostics to
be an asset. Thank you Williams/
Bally for the constant improve-
ments in your products.
experience
comes from
bad judgment.
MFG PHONE
&
FAX
See page 21 for updated manufacturer
Customer Service phone & fax numbers.
------------------5-----------------
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).