Williams Pinball Controller
Encyclopedia
The Williams Pinball Controller (WPC) is an arcade system board
used for several pinball
games designed by Williams
and Midway
(under the Bally name) between 1990 and early-1999. It is the successor to their earlier System 11 hardware (High Speed
, Pin*Bot, Black Knight 2000). It was succeeded by Williams/Midway's Pinball 2000
platform, before Williams left the pinball business in October 1999.
FunHouse
(designed by Pat Lawlor
) was the first production game to use the WPC System, although there are prototype Dr. Dude machines that use the WPC System.
Hardware info=
Variations=
There are six variations of the WPC hardware. The original version is sometimes referred to as WPC-89. The WPC MPU remained the same through all generation up to the addition of the security chip in WPC-S, and then the subsequent WPC-95 board. The variations are as follows:
Some Dr. Dude machines were also this WPC generation, most were Williams System 11
This generation WPC hardware was also used in some of Williams / Midway's redemption games (SlugFest!, Hot Shot Basketball)
The Addams Family
was the only game produced with the Fliptronics I board, which is compatible with Fliptronics II board, which added a bridge rectifier for the flipper voltage.
WPC (DCS
Twilight Zone was designed to be the first pinball machine to use the new DCS system, but due to delays of the new hardware design it was decided to release it on the old hardware (using downsampled sound effects) instead. The redemption game, Addams Family Values, used the DCS Sound System.
, a security programmable integrated circuit {PIC} chip was added to the CPU board in all WPC-S games at location U22. This PIC chip was game specific making it so CPU boards could not be swapped between different models without changing the security PIC chip.
This generation WPC hardware was also used in the Midway redemption games Ticket Tac Toe, March 1996.
External links=
Arcade system board
An arcade system board is a dedicated computer system created for the purpose of running video arcade games. Arcade system boards typically consist of a main system board with any number of supporting boards...
used for several pinball
Pinball
Pinball is a type of arcade game, usually coin-operated, where a player attempts to score points by manipulating one or more metal balls on a playfield inside a glass-covered case called a pinball machine. The primary objective of the game is to score as many points as possible...
games designed by Williams
Williams (gaming company)
WMS Industries, Inc. is an American electronic gaming and amusement company based in Waukegan, Illinois. The company's main operating subsidiaries are WMS Gaming and Orion Gaming. WMS traces its roots as far back as 1943, the Williams Manufacturing Company, founded by Harry E. Williams...
and Midway
Midway Games
Midway Games, Inc. is an American company that was formerly a major video game publisher. Following a bankruptcy filing in 2009, it is no longer active and is in the process of liquidating all of its assets. Midway's titles included Mortal Kombat, Ms.Pac-Man, Spy Hunter, Tron, Rampage, the...
(under the Bally name) between 1990 and early-1999. It is the successor to their earlier System 11 hardware (High Speed
High Speed
High Speed is a 1986 pinball game designed by Steve Ritchie and released by Williams Electronics. This game was based on Ritchie's real-life police chase inside a 1979 Porsche 928....
, Pin*Bot, Black Knight 2000). It was succeeded by Williams/Midway's Pinball 2000
Pinball 2000
Pinball 2000 is the last pinball hardware and software platform developed by major pinball manufacturer Williams, and was used in the machines Revenge From Mars and Star Wars Episode I before Williams exited the pinball business on October 25, 1999...
platform, before Williams left the pinball business in October 1999.
FunHouse
FunHouse
FunHouse is a pinball game designed by Pat Lawlor. It was released in 1990 by Williams Electronics. As its title suggests, the game is themed after the concept of a funhouse, a walk-through amusement park featuring many attractions....
(designed by Pat Lawlor
Pat Lawlor
Patrick M. Lawlor is a video game and pinball machine designer.Lawlor's pinball career began as an engineer for Williams in 1987, when he co-designed a dual-playfield machine called Banzai Run with Larry DeMar. Pat Lawlor had previously been a video game designer and had entered the coin-operated...
) was the first production game to use the WPC System, although there are prototype Dr. Dude machines that use the WPC System.
Hardware info=
- Main CPU: MotorolaMotorolaMotorola, Inc. was an American multinational telecommunications company based in Schaumburg, Illinois, which was eventually divided into two independent public companies, Motorola Mobility and Motorola Solutions on January 4, 2011, after losing $4.3 billion from 2007 to 2009...
6809Motorola 6809The Motorola 6809 is an 8-bit microprocessor CPU from Motorola, designed by Terry Ritter and Joel Boney and introduced 1978...
at 8 MHz - Sound CPU: MotorolaMotorolaMotorola, Inc. was an American multinational telecommunications company based in Schaumburg, Illinois, which was eventually divided into two independent public companies, Motorola Mobility and Motorola Solutions on January 4, 2011, after losing $4.3 billion from 2007 to 2009...
6809Motorola 6809The Motorola 6809 is an 8-bit microprocessor CPU from Motorola, designed by Terry Ritter and Joel Boney and introduced 1978...
(Pre-DCS), Analog Devices ADSP2105 (DCS) - Sound chips (Pre-DCS): Yamaha YM2151Yamaha YM2151The YM2151, aka OPM is an eight-channel four-operator sound chip. It was Yamaha's first single-chip FM synthesis implementation, created originally for the Yamaha DX series of keyboards....
, DAC, Harris HC55536 CVSDContinuously variable slope delta modulationContinuously variable slope delta modulation is a voice coding method. It is a delta modulation with variable step size Continuously variable slope delta modulation (CVSD or CVSDM) is a voice coding method. It is a delta modulation with variable step size Continuously variable slope delta... - Operating system: APPLE OS (created by Williams, not related to the company Apple)
Variations=
There are six variations of the WPC hardware. The original version is sometimes referred to as WPC-89. The WPC MPU remained the same through all generation up to the addition of the security chip in WPC-S, and then the subsequent WPC-95 board. The variations are as follows:
WPC (Alphanumeric)
- FunhouseFunhouseA funhouse or fun house is an amusement facility found on amusement park and funfair midways in which patrons encounter and actively interact with various devices designed to surprise, challenge, and amuse the visitor. Unlike thrill rides, funhouses are participatory attractions, where visitors...
- September 1990 - Harley-Davidson - February 1991
- The Machine: Bride of Pin·Bot - April 1991
Some Dr. Dude machines were also this WPC generation, most were Williams System 11
WPC (Dot Matrix)
- Gilligan's IslandGilligan's Island (pinball)Gilligan's Island is a Midway pinball machine released in May 1991. It is based on the television series of the same name and the first Williams WPC machine that was released with a dot matrix display, actually the first ever pinball machine with a high resolution DMD Gilligan's Island is a...
- May 1991 - Terminator 2: Judgment Day - July 1991
- Hurricane - August 1991
- Party Zone - August 1991
- Terminator 2: Judgment Day was designed to have a dot matrix display from the start, but it was released after Gilligan's Island, due to T2 having a longer development time than Gilligan's Island.
This generation WPC hardware was also used in some of Williams / Midway's redemption games (SlugFest!, Hot Shot Basketball)
WPC (Fliptronics)
- The Addams FamilyThe Addams Family (pinball)The Addams Family is the best selling pinball machine since the 1930's, having sold 20,270 units. Manufactured by Midway , it is a solid state electronic game...
- March 1992 - The Getaway: High Speed IIThe Getaway: High Speed IIThe Getaway: High Speed II is a 1992 pinball game by Steve Ritchie. It is a sequel to 1986's popular High Speed.The Getaway is almost identical to its predecessor, with the following changes:*Dot-matrix display...
- April 1992 - Black RoseBlack Rose (pinball)Black Rose is a pinball machine produced by Midway .Black Rose was released around the same time as The Addams Family pinball machine, whose production ran long, making Black Rose a rare game with few units. Black Rose seems to have some controversy on the rec.games.pinball group, with mixed...
- July 1992 - Fish TalesFish Tales (pinball)Fish Tales is a 1992 pinball game released by Williams. It is one of the top 20 most produced pinball machines of all time, selling more than 13,000 units.-Overview:...
- October 1992 - Doctor WhoDoctor Who (pinball)Doctor Who is a pinball machine designed by Bill Pfutzenreuter and Barry Oursler, and released by Midway in September 1992. It is based on the television series of the same name...
- October 1992 - Creature from the Black LagoonCreature from the Black LagoonCreature from the Black Lagoon is a 1954 monster horror film directed by Jack Arnold, and starring Richard Carlson, Julia Adams, Richard Denning, Antonio Moreno, and Whit Bissell. The eponymous creature was played by Ben Chapman on land and Ricou Browning in underwater scenes...
- December 1992 - White WaterWhite Water (pinball)White Water is a 1992 pinball game designed by Dennis Nordman and released by Williams. The theme is based on White water rafting, which is reflected in the game's 'wild' ramps and very fast gameplay.-External links:***...
- January 1993 - Bram Stoker's DraculaBram Stoker's Dracula (pinball)Bram Stoker's Dracula is a 1993 pinball machine released by Williams. It was based in the 1992 film of the same name. The game was characterized by its unusual blood-red DMD display as well as a "Multi-Multi-Ball" mode, where up to three different multiball variations could be active at the same...
- March 1993 - Twilight Zone - March 1993
- The Addams Family Special Collectors EditionThe Addams Family (pinball)The Addams Family is the best selling pinball machine since the 1930's, having sold 20,270 units. Manufactured by Midway , it is a solid state electronic game...
- October 1994
The Addams Family
The Addams Family (pinball)
The Addams Family is the best selling pinball machine since the 1930's, having sold 20,270 units. Manufactured by Midway , it is a solid state electronic game...
was the only game produced with the Fliptronics I board, which is compatible with Fliptronics II board, which added a bridge rectifier for the flipper voltage.
WPC (DCSDigital Compression SystemDigital Compression System, or DCS, is a sound system developed by Williams Electronics. This advanced sound board, used for Williams and Bally pinball games and coin-op arcade video games by Midway Manufacturing, became the standard sound system for these names.The DCS Sound system was created by...
)
- Indiana Jones: The Pinball AdventureIndiana Jones: The Pinball AdventureIndiana Jones: The Pinball Adventure is a 1993 widebody pinball game designed by Mark Ritchie and released by Williams. It was based on the Indiana Jones movies...
- August 1993 - Judge Dredd - September 1993
- Star Trek: The Next GenerationStar Trek: The Next Generation (pinball)Star Trek: The Next Generation is a widebody pinball game, designed by Steve Ritchie and released in November 1993 by Williams Electronics. It was part of WMS' SuperPin series , and was based on the TV series. It is the only pinball machine that features three separate highscore-lists...
- November 1993 - Popeye Saves the EarthPopeye Saves the EarthPopeye Saves The Earth is a 1994 widebody pinball game designed by Python Anghelo and Barry Oursler and released by Midway . It is based on the Popeye comic/cartoon characters licensed from King Features Syndicate....
- February 1994 - Demolition ManDemolition Man (pinball)Demolition Man is a Williams pinball machine released in February 1994. It is based on the motion picture of the same name. It is part of WMS' SuperPin line of widebody games....
- February 1994
Twilight Zone was designed to be the first pinball machine to use the new DCS system, but due to delays of the new hardware design it was decided to release it on the old hardware (using downsampled sound effects) instead. The redemption game, Addams Family Values, used the DCS Sound System.
WPC-S (Security)
Starting with World Cup SoccerWorld Cup Soccer (pinball)
World Cup Soccer is a 1994 pinball machine released by Midway. It is based on the 1994 FIFA World Cup.-Trivia:*Raiden, a character from the Mortal Kombat fighting series, makes a cameo in a bonus round.-External links:*****...
, a security programmable integrated circuit {PIC} chip was added to the CPU board in all WPC-S games at location U22. This PIC chip was game specific making it so CPU boards could not be swapped between different models without changing the security PIC chip.
- World Cup SoccerWorld Cup Soccer (pinball)World Cup Soccer is a 1994 pinball machine released by Midway. It is based on the 1994 FIFA World Cup.-Trivia:*Raiden, a character from the Mortal Kombat fighting series, makes a cameo in a bonus round.-External links:*****...
- February 1994 - The FlintstonesThe Flintstones (pinball)There are two pinball games based on The Flintstones, one from the TV series made by Innovative Concepts in Entertainment , and a Williams machine based on the movie.-Williams machine:...
- July 1994 - CorvetteCorvette (pinball)Corvette is a pinball machine produced by Midway . It is based on the sports car line of the same name.-External links:**...
- August 1994 - Red & Ted's Road ShowRed & Ted's Road ShowRed & Ted's Road Show is a 1994 widebody pinball game designed by Pat Lawlor and released by Williams. It is part of WMS' SuperPin line of widebody games....
- October 1994 - The ShadowThe Shadow (pinball)The Shadow is a 1994 pinball game designed by Brian Eddy and released by Midway . It is based on the 1994 movie of the same name....
- November 1994 - Dirty HarryDirty Harry (pinball)Dirty Harry is a Williams pinball machine released in March 1995. It is based on the fictional character of the same name.-External links:*...
- March 1995 - Theatre of MagicTheatre of MagicTheatre of Magic is a pinball machine produced by Midway .-Gameplay:Main mission is to get to the "Grand Finale" by finishing:...
- March 1995 - No Fear: Dangerous SportsNo Fear: Dangerous SportsNo Fear: Dangerous Sports is a 1995 pinball game designed by Steve Ritchie and released by Williams. It is based on the clothing line. This game has an extreme sports theme.-Launch options:...
- May 1995 - Indianapolis 500Indianapolis 500 (pinball)Indianapolis 500 is a pinball machine produced by Midway released in June 1995. It is based on the sporting event of the same name.-External links:*...
- June 1995 - Johnny Mnemonic - August 1995
- Jack·Bot - October 1995
- WHO DunnitWho DunnitWho Dunnit is a Midway Games pinball machine with a 1930s style and murder mystery theme. The playfield features up to five different murder mysteries by revealing clues by sending the ball to an elevator, phone, or slot machine...
- September 1995
WPC-95
In this final revision of the WPC hardware, the dot matrix controller and the DCS sound boards are combined into a single A/V board, while the power/Driver and the Fliptronics boards are combined into a single Power/Driver board, bringing the board count down to three boards.- CongoCongo (pinball)Congo is a Williams pinball machine released in November 1995. It is based on the motion picture of the same name.-External links:**...
- November 1995 - Attack from MarsAttack From MarsAttack from Mars is a 1995 pinball game designed by Brian Eddy, and released by Midway .In this game, Martians began to invade the Earth, and it's up to the player to destroy the Martian fleet, save all the major cities, and then head off to Mars to destroy the Martian empire and conquer Mars.Among...
- December 1995 - SafecrackerSafecracker (pinball)Safecracker is a pinball machine with a safecracking theme, designed by Pat Lawlor, and distributed by Midway . It was created in 1996. About 1148 were manufactured. Safecracker differs from a standard pinball game in that the player is playing against the clock as opposed to having a certain...
- March 1996 - Tales of the Arabian Nights - May 1996
- Scared StiffScared Stiff (pinball)Scared Stiff is a 1996 pinball game designed by Dennis Nordman and released by Midway , featuring horrorshow-hostess Elvira. It is the follow-up to 1989's Elvira and the Party Monsters, also designed by Nordman.-External links:*...
- September 1996 - Junk Yard - December 1996
- NBA FastbreakNBA Fastbreak (pinball)NBA Fastbreak is a 1997 pinball machine released by Midway . It is also the only pinball machine in existence that featured the possibility to directly link two machines together and having two players play against each other in realtime NBA Fastbreak is a 1997 pinball machine released by Midway...
- March 1997 - Medieval MadnessMedieval MadnessMedieval Madness is a Williams pinball machine released in June 1997. Designed by Brian Eddy and programmed by Lyman Sheats, Medieval Madness had a production run of 4,016 units. It was an immediate critical and popular success, earning well on location and achieving widespread popularity among...
- June 1997 - Cirqus VoltaireCirqus VoltaireCirqus Voltaire is a 1997 pinball game, designed by John Popadiuk and released by Midway Games . The theme involves the player performing many different marvels in order to join the circus...
- October 1997 - No Good GofersNo Good GofersNo Good Gofers is a Williams pinball machine released in December 1997.-External links:**...
- December 1997 - The Champion Pub - April 1998
- Monster BashMonster Bash (pinball)Monster Bash is a pinball machine produced by Williams. The game include The Creature from the Black Lagoon, The Wolfman, Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, Dracula and The Mummy. The goal of Monster Bash is to collect the instruments of the monsters and present the world this scary...
- July 1998 - Cactus CanyonCactus CanyonCactus Canyon is a pinball machine produced by Midway . It is the WPC machine with the shortest production run , thus making it a rare machine amongst collectors and the most expensive one of the whole WPC generation Cactus Canyon is a pinball machine produced by Midway (under the Bally brand...
- October 1998
This generation WPC hardware was also used in the Midway redemption games Ticket Tac Toe, March 1996.
External links=