MAME cabs are great. With an x arcade dual stick with trackball, a spinner and flight stick about the only games you can't do 100% are light gun games which do work good with a stick....especially considering at home you have unlimited continues. I have an 84 dynamo cab that has been rehabbed and converted to a mame cab with a 32" LCD. Works great and does everything I need it to and about 5,000 other things.

I also have and build virtual pins. I will say that a true pin is different than an virtual. Think of it as playing a video game representation of the best pins ever. While they are great fun and have unequaled versatility replicating a real pin exactly just can't happen without wood, steel, rubber and plastic. That being said for $2500-7,000 pending size and features you definitely get the most unique (and expandable) experience with a virtual and at a fraction of the cost.

Exactly.. emulation is more for the folks without room and limited funds. If I was a millionaire and had a 2,000 foot finished basement it would be an arcade paradise, but since I'm not I'm satisfied with a pin or 2 a virtual pin and a Mame cab. No doubt the cool factor for dedicated cabs.