terry your supposed to be on vacation..
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Yea I am in line with this thus far.. I personally have no issues with SMD as long as its all pinned and reasonable assumption that you can do it with home own gear..

I cant stand chips with the pads under the chip.

I have no issues with for example the WOZ Driver Board.

You happened to mention how "space" was used in relation to some components.. In modern electronics, space and power draw are issues.. I think in pinball that isnt a concern ..ever. Like WOZ for example the driver board is large so even with SMD.. no fear of overheating near components replacing a resistor for example.. I assume price over anything took SMD for some components there. once the repair people give SMD a chance its really not that bad. just cant use plumbing solder and your giant solder iron from 1982 radio shack.

a game from factory with socket-ed thru hole?! whaaaa