FAQ

The MPU (Microprocessor Unit) is the brain of your pinball machine — it controls the game logic, solenoids, lamps, sound triggers, and scoring. In a classic solid-state machine, this is a circuit board from the late 70s or 80s that's now 40+ years old.

An MPU replacement swaps out that aging original board for a modern equivalent that runs the same game software but on newer, more reliable hardware. It's a plug-in replacement — same connectors, same game behaviour, but without the decades of wear, capacitor rot, and hard-to-source chips.

FPGA stands for Field-Programmable Gate Array. Unlike a regular microprocessor that runs software, an FPGA can be programmed to physically replicate the behaviour of the original chips at the hardware level — including the 6800, 6502, Z80, and other classic CPUs used in pinball machines.

This matters because the FPGA doesn't just emulate the game in software — it replicates the original timing and signal behaviour of the hardware itself. The result is cycle-accurate gameplay that's indistinguishable from the original, with no emulation lag or compatibility quirks.

Some of our boards (notably the LISY series) use a Linux-based MPU instead, which runs the original game ROMs in software. Both approaches are reliable and field-proven — the right choice depends on your machine.

Yes. These replacement boards run the original game ROMs — the same software that shipped in your machine from the factory. The gameplay, rules, sounds, and behaviour are identical to the original. You're replacing the hardware the game runs on, not the game itself.

In many cases the replacement boards include additional features not present on the original — like free-play mode, diagnostic tools, and background music — but the core game experience is preserved exactly.

Yes — boards ship without game ROMs, including every Gottlieb board. You'll need to source the game files for your machine yourself. FPGA boards (GottFA, WillFA, SternFA) and LISY boards load the game files from a microSD card: we include a pre-formatted SD card already set up for the board, and the instructions in the box show you how to add your ROMs to it. The GP Multi-MPU is the exception: it ships with a licensed Game Plan ROM on board.

If you're unsure about ROMs for your specific machine, ask us before ordering — we can point you in the right direction.

Check the full compatibility chart — you can search by machine name and it'll show you which board you need. If your machine isn't listed or you're not sure, just contact us. We repair pinball machines for a living and can tell you quickly.

Generally speaking: GottFA1_PLuS for Gottlieb System 1, GottFA80 for Gottlieb System 80/80A/80B, LISY35 / BallyFA for Bally and Stern 1977–1985, WillFA7 for Williams System 3–7, and WillFA11 for Williams System 9–11 and early Data East.

Yes. The GottFA80 supports the full Gottlieb System 80 family including System 80, 80A, and 80B. The GODRI80 driver board is available in two versions — one for System 80/80A and one for System 80B — so make sure to specify your system when ordering.

The WillFA11 is under active development. The current version primarily targets System 11C and early Data East machines. System 9, 11A, and 11B support is being developed and expanded. Contact us with your specific machine and we'll let you know the current status — it may already be supported or have a near-term timeline.

Yes — the GottFA80 MPU is compatible with your original Gottlieb driver board. However, original driver boards from this era are also aging and can fail. We stock the GODRI80, a modern MOSFET-based driver board replacement that pairs directly with the GottFA80 for a complete electronics refresh. It's not required, but it's the recommended combination for the most reliable result.

In most cases, no. The MPU replacement boards connect to the existing sound board via the same connectors and trigger sounds the same way the original MPU did. The GottFA1_PLuS is an exception — it includes an integrated sound card, so the original sound board is not used.

If you're running an aftermarket sound board or a custom setup, let us know and we can advise before you order.

No soldering required. All boards sold through Drop Targets are plug-in replacements. You remove the old board, plug in the new one using the existing connectors, and you're done. We don't sell bare kits — everything arrives assembled and bench tested.

If you're comfortable working inside a pinball machine and can safely handle circuit boards — disconnecting connectors, removing mounting screws, and reseating boards — you can do this yourself. It's comparable to replacing a RAM stick in a computer.

Basic precautions apply: power off the machine and unplug it before working inside, handle boards by the edges, and reconnect all connectors fully. If you've never opened your machine before and aren't sure, we're happy to walk you through it or answer questions.

Possibly — it depends on the board and whether your machine's original NVRAM (non-volatile RAM) is intact. On most replacements, the new board initializes with factory default settings on first boot. Your high scores and settings from the original board will not transfer, but the machine will boot cleanly into a fully working factory state.

Some boards support saving settings to a microSD card, which persists across power cycles. Check the documentation for your specific board or ask us.

Yes — remove the original MPU board and replace it with the new one. These are 1:1 replacements, not add-ons. The replacement board goes in the same mounting position and uses the same connectors as the original. Keep your original board somewhere safe in case you ever want it back.

We ship from Kingston, Ontario. Orders typically process within 5–7 business days — every board is bench tested before it leaves, so we take the time to make sure it's right. Delivery is usually 3–5 business days after dispatch.

Free shipping on orders over $1,000. See our shipping & sales policy for details.

Every order ships from Kingston, Ontario by Canada Post with tracking. Orders usually leave within 5–7 business days because each board is bench tested first; delivery is usually 3–5 business days after that, a little longer to remote areas and the territories. We ship to every province and territory.

Yes — see the arcade section for free-play ROM chips and arcade replacement boards. ROMs are programmed and tested in a working board before they ship. Don't see your game? Ask us.

No — we ship to Canadian addresses only. Orders with a shipping address outside Canada are cancelled and refunded.

All sales are final. We can't accept returns because we have no way to verify the machine a board was installed into. Please check compatibility before ordering — ask us if you're not sure.

No. Every board is bench tested before it ships, but once it's installed we can't be responsible for what the machine does to it. These machines are decades old, and a shorted solenoid, failing driver transistor, bad connector or wrong voltage can damage a new board instantly.

Make sure your machine is safe — no known shorts or wiring faults, voltages in spec — before installing. If a board arrives damaged in shipping, email photos within 48 hours and before installing it.

Power down and stop — don't keep power-cycling it. Then contact us with your order number, the machine, and what you're seeing. We fix pinball machines for a living and will help you work through connector seating, voltages and orientation. Most problems turn out to be in the machine, not the board.

Not necessarily. Pinball machines from this era have many interconnected systems — a new MPU can sometimes reveal pre-existing issues in the machine that the old (possibly malfunctioning) board was masking. Shorted solenoids, failing transistors on the driver board, bad connectors, and low power supply voltages are common culprits.

We repair pinball machines for a living — contact us with a description of what's happening and we'll help you diagnose it. We'd rather spend 20 minutes troubleshooting with you than have you pull the board unnecessarily.