Ever since I was a kid, I've dreamed about one day owning an arcade machine. Listening to the latest Giant Bombcast about California Extreme has me all excited about getting some sort of arcade machine set-up for when I get an apartment next spring. My main uncertainty is whether I want an HD LED-LCD for modern games (MvC3, SSFIV, Mortal Kombat, BlazBlue:CT / CS) or an old-school CRT for classic arcade gaming. I think I've settled on an affordable middle ground that doesn’t lock me into either side. I originally wanted a full stand-up arcade machine and debated between building my own or buying a pre-made cabinet from X-gaming. After spending hours of looking up joystick parts on na.suzohapp.com and looking comparing my budget to the all-inclusive $2200 X-gaming set-up, I’m currently leaning towards the Xtension Arcade Pedestal in combination with the 2-player (w/ trackball) X-Gaming Tankstick. This will allow me flexibility in “swapping out” monitors, eliminating the fear of buying the wrong monitor set-up. This combo will run me $731 with all of the adapter hookups and most importantly shipping/delivery. This $731 does not include the monitor and gaming system (both which I currently have). This would leave me without a dedicated monitor for my PC, so I've been on the lookout for displays with low response times, such as this monitor and this television for the new set-up.

Xtension Arcade Pedestal	2 player X-Gaming Tankstick (w/ trackball)*
	*With additional adapters, compatible with: PC (MAME, retail or digital releases) XBOX and XBOX 360 PS1, PS2 and PS3 Gamecube and Wii

My girlfriend/future roommate has already given me the thumbs-up on this, so I thought I'd run it by the Giantbomb community. Any suggestions? Am I overlooking something crucial?

I've thought about getting a full arcade-style cabinet, but we aren't going to be getting a huge apartment, so hopefully the Xtension Arcade Pedestal will keep the room feeling more open, while still giving that arcade feel.

But why aren't you getting a Dynamite Cop cabinet?

Have you considered adding any over-the-top cabinet artwork? The concentration of colorful and ridiculous transfers is one of my favorite parts about going to an arcade. 
  
Also, how are you going to resolve the issue of games (I'm thinking of shmups, specifically) that use weird/sideways aspect ratios? I suppose with the screen being detached from the cabinet you could figure out a way to turn it on and off its side if you're really committed and that would fit most games, but if you're just going to leave it that could result in a pretty seriously squeezed picture on non-gigantic screens. 
 
Also I think you should make it coin-op, but put really cheap coin slots in it that keep returning your coin until you finally just shove it in so hard it skips the return gap. AUTHENTIC.

@MistaSparkle: If I was going to get any real cabinet, it would be Police 911.

@tonewheel: I can't really think of what artwork I'd want to add, so I probably won't be adding any artwork to the arcade machine. I'll just have to letterbox the games with different aspect ratios. If I upgrade to a 32" TVmonitor, then the viewing size should be sufficient.

@tonewheel:

I also might pick up one of these decals for the front of the pedestal.

I personally don't like it. It basically seems just like an arcade stick and monitor on top of a wooden box. If I were to get an arcade machine, I would probably want a traditional classic arcade machine, or at least a more traditional look of an arcade cabinet. But if you like it, then go for it. You're the one who is buying it & going to live with it, not me.

@MGSolid86: Yes. You need one of these SLG3000 scan line generators. It's the best product of its type. LCDs don't have the same kind of line alignment which arcade CRT monitors had so this will make it look correct. The artwork in arcade games was created with scanlines in mind.

Make sure to watch the vid in HD on youtube.

@MattyFTM: I see what you're saying, but I think getting a full arcade set-up will make the room look cramped. If I really want a full one in the future, I could pick up this:

@SeriouslyNow: This looks pretty awesome, I'll probablybe picking one of these up. Thanks for the tip!