Personally, I've always found those kinds of cabinets pretty gross, especially for games that predate them. Playing on one feels like playing emulation to me.
The day (pre-PCE version release) that I committed myself to owning the arcade, I was determined to have it in the cabinet I considered definitive for it-
I have no idea what you are talking about here. The fiberglass Japanese-style machines pack maximum monitor as close to the user as possible in the minimum amount of space, the allow for sit down play, and they have controls which destroy that Happ garbage. I don't know what you mean SFII "pre-dating" them either. The Versus City was practically invented for Super Street Fighter IIX.
BTW, I don't like the Versus City since its almost impossible to punch your opponent, shoulder bump him off his stool, or even have him hear your verbal insults. Its like playing in a vacuum. Not very SF, IMO. You're
supposed to be uncomfortably close to your opponent while playing fighting games.
As for "gross" that would be the American machines made from MDF, which by this point is all rotting and full of squirrel shit. Also, even though way more people smoke in Japan they seem much less likely to put their cigarettes out on the control panel.
Honestly, its kind of like saying you prefer the American cover of Victory Run only because that's what you were familiar with at the time of release, despite that fact that it a) sucks, and b) isn't original.
