I am almost exclusively a video game guy, but I love pinball and typically have 1 in the collection.
Somewhere around 2007-2008 a ms. pac could fetch $800+ pretty easily unrestored. Now most guys consider it a $200-$350 game. yes there were about 50,000 of them made.

Some games do hold much higher value. Color vectors, hard to find titles, now production runs, or just super fund games, like zookeeper.

I sold my kozmik krooz'r at CAX last year for over $3000, and discs of tron (upright version) has been selling for $3000-$4000 lately when it has typically been a $800-$1500 game. Atariscott over on klov (not sure if he visits here or not) has a prototype paperboy that he is asking $9500 for, (and will likely get somewhere close to it).

But generally, arcade games don't go for very much. Not even close to pins. And yeah the 60 in 1 barrage has lowered to value of standard high-run popular titles.

This list is 5 years old. Some of that list is worth less, some more. A dedicated splat could get 10k+ now.

No, (respectfully) you are waaaaaaaaaaaaay off. Almost no games can be replicated correctly on mame.

Pac man sure.

Almost every game I like has very unique controllers. Tron, wacko, kozmik krooz'r, many more. Most of these games have an audio amplifier or some unique sound board that is "necessary" , to enjoy a classic properly.

Now I realize who my audience is here.

Sounds like you'd enjoy a mame cab or 60 in 1, but no classic gamer would. (Concerning authenticity)

And all monitors (virtually) can be rebuilt very easily.

All of those games are easily attainable again if you "need" to get them. (Except c&d). It is a great choice if you will have fun with the new pin!

I am dumping a couple machines to try to fund a tron pro purchase.

I do not know what the pinside community's opinion is of these virtual pins or hyper pins?

That is like playing a classic on mame. Same authenticity. Personally I think they are stupid.

Again, almost nothing plays correctly/authentically on mame. Those who say otherwise simply do not know anything about the subject. And this is a pin forum, with guys that are likely to have mame cabs and zero dedicated classics.
I understand. .

What work is there to do in Crescent City (I joke) I am a humboldt guy and cruise through Crescent twice at least every year.

I understand that Mame cabs have a place, and have value.

You can't play a vector game on there
You can't play a medium resolution game on there
You think it's the same code, but it isn't always, and the way it is displayed (even on an arcade monitor) without proper sounds, controls, angle of control panel (I could go on) It isn't the same.
Now my buddy over in reno (member on here as well) bought like 15 different actual arcade control panels from parted games and did it that way. I imagine that would be a fun way to play some of these. (spy hunter, tron, etc.)

For the record I like playing plenty of games on a 60 in 1 when I build it. Close enough for me on games like dig dug, pac man, and many many others.

Not close enough on donkey kong, congo bongo, and many others.

glad you got it! that is awesome