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BallyFA - a Bally MPU based on a low cost FPGA

This is a 1:1 functional replacement to a original Bally MPU, without the additional features of a LISY35, but with much faster boot and lower costs. You can build a BallyFA for less than 100 Euros!

NEW: hardware version 2.x with driver ICs in 'through hole technology' (THT) for easy replacement and serial Mission Pinball Framework (MPF) interface. MPF interface is in development, let me know if you are interested in testing.

v2.0 assembled by JLCPCB
complete with ICs, FPGA and headers

supported games

At the moment 49 different Bally Games and 4 Stern games along with their 'free play' and '7digit' variants ( 128 in sum) are supported and can be selected via Dip switch 'Game Selection.

For each game BallyFA all software settings, Highscores, .. are stored independently.

Latest Software version do support 'flicker free' LEDs without additional hardware needed. Just set option DIP 4 to ON

documentation

components needed:

- preassembled PCB (see section 'how to order your BallyFA PCB' below)

- CycloneII FPGA (my DIY board or via Aliexpress) plus USB Blaster (Aliexpress), see also here

- a few other 'standard' components, see Reichelt shop cart below

- the program for the FPGA

- the Bally Roms on a micro SD card (see 'SD card image' below)

Have a look at my FPGA page to select which one you want to use.

additional components

Note: Pin Headers in the Reichelt shop cart have 11mm height. For better contact use Pin Headers from Digikey with 13 mm height. Digikey Part: WM50017-36-ND

documentation & software

how to order your BallyFA PCB

Have a look to the PCB documentation section.

Needed Gerber Data, BOM and Component Placement List (CPL) you find on my repository server; see link below.

BallyFA (hardware v1.x) in a Bally 'Six Million Dollar Man'