Most real arcade games had hinged control panels as well, unless I've just only seen ones with them.
Some did, alot didn't. The reason most did
not was so that technicians can just unhook them, take the whole panel to their workbench and do the work, then bring it back and re-attach it. No fuss no muss. (Another good reason to make all your wiring detachable via a molex plug).
The cab I'm converting has a hinged CP since it's all made of wood. I should probably change it to not-hinged, but that's extra work I don't absolutely need to do.
Ray B.