Robo-War (Gottlieb, 1988): faults and replacement boards System 80B

On your Gottlieb Robo-War, are the flippers and bumpers partially cutting out, is the sound distorted, does the game boot badly or reset? These symptoms are typical of Gottlieb System 80B pinball machines, whose original boards (MPU, Driver, power supply, sound) are now over 40 years old. Good news: modern replacement boards, Plug & Play and battery-free, give your machine a second life.

Robo-War (Gottlieb, 1988): overview

Released in 1988, Robo-War is a System 80B pinball machine with a futuristic robot-combat theme. It features the alphanumeric displays and the upbeat soundtrack typical of the series.

• Manufacturer: D. Gottlieb & Co.
• Year: 1988
• Electronic system: Gottlieb System 80B
• Type: solid state electronic pinball, alphanumeric displays
• Theme: robot combat

Common faults (System 80B)

System 80B machines use alphanumeric displays and an MPU with battery-backed 5101 RAM. Recurring faults: leaking battery on the MPU (corrosion and loss of the 5101 memory), unstable power supply (the original trim pot struggles to hold 5 V and 12 V), cracked solder joints (notably on the CPU daughter card), inter-board connectors needing repinning, poor grounds (ground mods essential), blank displays if a single bit fails to pass from the MPU to the display, and start-up disrupted by the starter of the backbox fluorescent tube.

Issues specific to Robo-War (forum reports)

• Flippers and bumpers cutting out to the point of losing the ball: a tilt-like sensation with no sound call or lamps going out — typically a ground fault.
• Weak grounds on the two small boards of the power supply block: ground mods essential.
• Added board U2/U3: cracked solder joints common on the 80B.
• Distorted / crackling sound on both sides: worn loudspeakers or a sound board needing a recapacitor (recap).
• Temperamental boot: replace the PROM2 socket, the RIOT U4 and the PROM1 daughter board.

Replacement boards compatible with Robo-War

• GottFA80_Plus (Light) — all-in-one CPU + Driver + power supply board, without sound.
• GottFA80_Plus (Full) — same with integrated sound board (80B audio limited to a few titles).
• Gosof — replacement sound board for System 80 and 80A (80B support currently limited to a few titles).
• Godri80 — replacement Driver board.
• Lisy80 — CPU board + web diagnostics.
• GoPOP80 — bumper driver board (MA-922).

System 80B note: favour the GottFA80_Plus Light — the 80B is covered on the CPU/MPU side. On the audio side, support is for now limited to a few titles (Bounty Hunter, Chicago Cubs Triple Play, Tag Team); for the other System 80B machines, keep and repair the original sound board and contact us (an audio solution is in preparation).

Plug & Play installation, battery-free, tutorials and free support. Contact us.

FAQ — Robo-War Gottlieb

My flippers cut out as if in tilt but with no sound.
This is a characteristic ground fault. Redo the ground mods; an all-in-one GottFA80_Plus board provides a reliable ground and power supply.

The sound is distorted and crackles.
Worn loudspeakers or a sound board needing a recap: repair the original sound board. For 80B audio, support is limited to a few titles — contact us.

My Robo-War boots badly.
Often a PROM socket, a RIOT (U4) or the daughter board. A GottFA80_Plus Light or Lisy80 replaces the MPU.

And what about 80B sound?
Audio support is for now limited to a few titles (Bounty Hunter, Chicago Cubs Triple Play, Tag Team). For Robo-War, keep and repair the original sound board and contact us; a solution is in preparation.

How long does it take to install a replacement board?
Installation is Plug & Play: a few minutes, no soldering, with tutorials and free support.

Does a battery-free board keep the settings and high scores?
Yes. Modern replacement boards use non-volatile memory: no more battery, no more corrosion, and the settings are kept when powered off.

Step-by-step diagnosis

1. Power off, visual inspection: look for any battery or corrosion traces on the MPU of your Robo-War; remove the NiCad battery if still present.
2. Power supply: measure the 5 V and check that it reaches the MPU (resolder the regulator or Q1 if the voltage drops).
3. Grounds: apply the « ground mods » between the boards (CPU, Driver, power supply, sound).
4. Connectors: re-pin the oxidised Molex connectors, especially the MPU↔Driver link.
5. Displays: never plug or unplug a display while powered on; test with a known-good display.
6. Final test: check start-up, credits, coils and displays; if needed, contact free support.

See also

• Excalibur (Gottlieb, 1988)
• TX-Sector (Gottlieb, 1988)
• Diamond Lady (Gottlieb, 1988)
• Bad Girls (Gottlieb, 1988)

Sources & further reading

• Pinside Forum — Robo-War
• IPDB — Internet Pinball Database
• OPDB — Open Pinball Database