There is an important distinction between arcade video game cabinets. Being that they are built in two different styles: vertical or horizontal monitor orientation. For example, the computer screen you are viewing right now is oriented horizontally. Turn on the monitor and then it will be oriented vertically. But, it would be very difficult to read. Because the graphics are formatted for horizontal presentation, not vertical. And the same goes for arcade video games. Therefore, there are two types of potential problems when deciding which cabinet to use for a multicade installation. First of all, the horizontal monitor usually does not fit in a vertical cabinet. And second, vertical screen images will not display correctly on a horizontally mounted monitor and vice versa.
Almost all of the classic arcade video games, like Ms Pac-Man, Galaga, Frogger, and Donkey Kong, are played with a vertically monitor oriented (mounted). There are some horizontal exceptions, such as the Williams classics: Defender, Stargate, Joust, etc. While almost all modern fighting games, like Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat, use a horizontally monitor oriented (mounted).
It is important to note that game types (horizontal or vertical) are not immediately interchangeable between cabinet types (horizontal or vertical). This is because a horizontal gaming monitor may not fit in a case designed for vertical gaming. It is possible, for example, to sometimes modify a horizontal cabinet to accept a vertically mounted monitor, but the reverse is generally not possible. Cabinets for the two types of orientation are built differently. The vertical cabinet will be a few inches narrower and shallower than the horizontal cabinet.
The point is that the style (horizontal or vertical) of a cabinet matters. Some will work for a particular multicade update and some will not. Then there is the second issue of images not displaying correctly. Unless the multicade has planned to format a vertical game so that it displays correctly on a horizontal monitor, there is no interchangeability. Bottom line: the game orientation of the multicade needs to be formatted correctly and then match the cabinet style.
So, in practice, what does all this mean?
- If you want to play only vertical classics, then the iCade 60-in-1 is your best option. The cabinet would have to accept a vertically oriented monitor. And, depending on the size of the cabinet, the size of the monitor could be 19″ or 25″.
- If you just want to play horizontal fighting classics, then the Capcom 18-in-1 would be a good choice. The cabinet would have to accept a horizontally oriented monitor. And, depending on the size of the cabinet, the size of the monitor could be 19″ or 25″.
- If you want to play a mix of vertical and horizontal games, then the 1940-in-1 family of games is your best choice. The cabinet would have to accept a horizontally oriented monitor. And, the size of the monitor should be 25″ in order to display vertical gaming images at a size of approximately 17″ in height.