The Games (Gottlieb, 1984): Troubleshooting and System 80A Replacement Boards
Your The Games by Gottlieb has no 5V, general illumination cutting out, won't boot, or shows dead displays? These symptoms are typical of Gottlieb System 80A pinball machines whose original boards are now over 40 years old. The good news: our battery-free replacement boards, Plug & Play, bring your machine back to life.
The Games (Gottlieb, 1984): Overview
Released in 1984, The Games is a colorful, dynamic System 80A title themed around international sporting competitions. It uses the Gottlieb System 80A electronics.
- Manufacturer: Gottlieb
- Year: 1984
- Electronic system: Gottlieb System 80A
- Type: solid state
- Theme: international sporting competitions
Common Issues (System 80A)
All Gottlieb System 80A pinball machines share the same weaknesses as System 80, with added complexity from alphanumeric displays and speech synthesis:
- Leaking NiCad battery: soldered to the MPU board, it corrodes traces and components over time — the #1 cause of dead boards. Remove it immediately.
- Floating grounds: the original ground wiring is undersized and causes resets and erratic behavior. Ground mods are virtually mandatory.
- Edge connectors (the "Gottlieb plague"): oxidized edge connectors cause display faults, missing digits, and intermittent failures. Clean or replace them.
- Corroded connectors: Molex connectors, especially the MPU-to-driver connection, lose contact and require re-pinning.
- Drifting power supply: the 5V and 12V rails sag over time; trim pots and aging capacitors need attention.
- Sound board: leaking capacitors, cold solder joints, and failing ROMs cause weak or absent sound and speech.
The Games-Specific Issues (Forum Reports)
- No 5V: reported logic power-supply failure, often accompanied by other cascading faults.
- General illumination goes out during play: the GI shuts off until the ball is lost, and only certain solenoids (kicker) work.
- No-boot due to tarnished fuse clips: Gottlieb's metal surfaces oxidize and add resistance, dropping the voltage.
- Connectors to clean and ground mod to perform: recommended first steps.
- Battery damage on the CPU board: corrosion to neutralize after decades.
Compatible Replacement Boards for The Games
- GottFA80_Plus (Light) — all-in-one CPU + driver + power supply board, without sound.
- GottFA80_Plus (Full) — same all-in-one board with integrated sound.
- Gosof — replacement sound board for System 80 and 80A.
- Godri80 — replacement driver board.
- Lisy80 — CPU board + web-based diagnostics.
- GoPOP80 — pop bumper driver board (MA-922).
The GottFA80_Plus replaces the original CPU, driver, and power supply in a single board — battery-free, no corrosion risk. The Gosof replaces the sound board (System 80 and 80A, including speech synthesis). Installation is Plug & Play, with tutorials and free support. Contact us.
FAQ — The Games Gottlieb
My The Games has no 5V.
A logic power-supply failure. Check the regulator, fuse clips (oxidation), and connectors; the GottFA80_Plus includes a modern power supply.
The general illumination cuts out during play.
Check the GI fuse and connectors. Tarnished fuse clips add resistance and drop voltage — clean or replace them.
Is the GottFA80_Plus compatible with my Gottlieb System 80A?
Yes. The GottFA80_Plus covers System 80, 80A, and 80B. If in doubt, contact us.
Do I need to keep the original battery?
No. Our boards run without a battery and eliminate the #1 cause of corrosion.
How long does installation take?
Installation is Plug & Play: just a few minutes, no soldering required, with tutorials and free support.
Does a battery-free board retain settings and high scores?
Yes. Modern replacement boards use NVRAM: no battery, no corrosion, and settings are preserved when powered off.
Step-by-Step Diagnostics
- With power off, visual inspection: look for any signs of battery leakage or corrosion on the MPU of your The Games; remove the NiCad battery if still present.
- Power supply: measure the 5V rail and verify it reaches the MPU (replace the drifting trim pot or re-solder the regulator if voltage sags).
- Grounds: apply ground mods between the boards (CPU, driver, power supply, sound).
- Connectors: re-pin oxidized Molex and edge connectors, especially the MPU-to-driver connection.
- Displays: never connect or disconnect a display while powered on; test with a known good display.
- Final test: verify startup, credits, solenoids, and displays; if needed, contact free support.
Useful Guides
- How much does pinball machine repair cost? A price guide
- How much is my pinball machine worth? Value and estimation
- Pinball machine leg sizes: the complete guide
- Which board for a Gottlieb System 80, 80A or 80B?
See Also
- Ice Fever (Gottlieb, 1985)
- El Dorado City of Gold (Gottlieb, 1984)
- Alien Star (Gottlieb, 1984)
- Jacks To Open (Gottlieb, 1984)
