If given the chance between standing up and playing games... and sitting down.. Most people would chose to sit. Especially with Driving games.
The arcades made most games in a Standup format, to save space. Obviously, certain driving and simulator games, got a pass.
One could say, that a lot of the Cabinet builders today, also tend to consider Space use.. over long duration comfort.
That said, there are ways to make Sitdown cabinets, with a greatly Reduced Footprint. Such as having a seat that pulls out, and pushes in.
The problem with Barstools, is that they dont "Fit" to the typical standup arcade cabinet shape. Different heights, shallow control control panel..
that would force you to have to extend your arms too far away from your body... and making your knees potentially hit the cabinets front. You
also tend to have to lean forwards.. and that quickly becomes more straining, than actually standing up to play.
One might be able to make a Hybrid Stool solution... similar to one of those special PC chairs, that look like an "X". Where you are mostly resting your
weight on your knees. However, since those are quite Low in height.. you could potentially change the angles, to a more vertically oriented
position.
I kinda liked what they did with the Environmental Discs of Tron cabinet. The rear of the cabinet, had a slightly backwards-leaning panel.. that
had a bump where you rested your behind. It wasnt deep like a seat... but it with you leaning back, and that sorta seat-bump... it took a lot of
the normal stress away from your body. Of course, the space savings from this format, compared to a typical sitdown... is not much. Then again,
a home builder could make that same rear section, roll into the cabinet, when not being used.
There are certain games that, while you can play standing up... they are a MUCH better experience, in a Sitdown format.
IMO... Spy Hunter, is one of those games. And if my life didnt flush down the toilet.. I would have loved to make a sitdown version
of spy hunter... with a motor driven Motion Cabinet. That game really deserves it, and would take the experience to a whole other level.
(Id love to have it so that the cab slides side to side, quickly / violently. Not sure if it would work out as good as it sounds, mechanically)