monitor angle?

[Zobeid]

This is a subject I haven't seen much discussion about. . .   Most familiar cabinets have the monitor sitting upright, facing toward the player.  The old Midway cabinets (Pac Man, Galaga, Galaxian, Bosconian, Rally-X. . .) all had a monitor tilted on its back, so it was facing upward and the player looked down upon it.

The Project Arcade book only has a brief comment about it.  In referring to the Midway-style cabinets it says, "Looking down at a monitor at this angle is comfortable and unlikely to cause neck aches during prolonged play."

I think they fell out of favor because it was harder for other people to see the action, looking over your shoulder.  And likewise, it might be awkward for two-player games (Gauntlet, Raiden, fighting games).

Back in my game-playing heyday, I don't recall having any particular preference.  I played both types and never gave it a thought.  But you know, I was more flexible then.  And my eyes didn't have any trouble focusing at short distances.  And. . . I do actually remember glare being a problem on some machines, which the Midway cabinet looks like it might be a bit more resistant to.

So. . .  Here's what I'm looking at:



Opinions?  Is one better than the other, or is it really just a matter of style after all?

[Kajoq]

I like the upright style a lot more.

The down-low ones you almost have to be hunched into the cavity of the cab, and they're terrible for multiplayer games.

[ivwshane]

What about a cross between the two?

http://www.klov.com/game_detail.php?game_id=7047

[severdhed]

i prefer a more up right style of cabinet better, it just seems more comfortable for extended periods of time, and is much easier to see for 2 player games.  when i bought my cabinet, it had a nearly horizontal monitor, similar to the one on the left in your pic.  the monitor was junk and the cabinet was pretty much gutted so it was going to need alot of work...the first thing i did was mount the monitor more vertical like the cabinet on the right, which made it much better.

[NoOne=NBA=]

I prefer a layed back monitor.
It doesn't need to be back as far as a Midway one, but I like them layed back.
The two exceptions to this I can think of are driving games, and lightgun games.

[Zobeid]

What about a cross between the two?

Maybe. . . .

Can anyone identify what this was made from?

http://www.dreamhomearcades.com/Dream%20Machine%20Pics/magic4.JPG

http://www.dreamhomearcades.com/Dream%20Machine%20Pics/magic1.JPG

The shape looks familiar, but I can't put a name to it.