Why do arcade video games and flight simulators use mirrors to reflect the monitors instead of just letting you look at the monitor?

Question

Why do arcade video games and flight simulators use mirrors to reflect the monitors instead of just letting you look at the monitor?

In: Technology

Answer 1

Talking about the old school arcade cabinets?

CRT monitors are big, and deep. If they put the CRT upright at eye level the cabinet would be twice as deep. Laying it down facing up at a mirror is much more compact.