Personally, while I think these are cool from a novelty aspect, can't see plunking down a grand for these, Pinball is a different beast than arcades and there is just something about having a real machine with real parts and a real ball going around the table a digital screen just can't replicate.
I don't know. I'm no purist but I think there are several reasons to build one of these things:
- it would be fun to build
- it would be a unique project/conversation piece when completed
- it saves space instead of having multiple pins
- easy to maintain
- you get to play many different tables
- new tables are constantly being added
My favorite one is the Woody Mini-Pin that was posted here a few months back. It's gorgeous. I see your point though - real pinball would probably be more fun.