Do Sims help or hurt nebees?
The only problem I have noticed is the simulators instill over confidence. We need one with a good "bouncy, irregular grass runway" setting, a "$200 has been deducted from your checking account balance" after crunches and a random engine konk-out feature.
They do a great job of teaching the differences between heading-at-you and heading-away-from-you control response to new pilots.
I'd say they help.