I just cant understand all the hate for them.
If you think people will find them confusing try these simple experiments:
Try this if you think it doesn't matter:
Turn your mousepad, mouse, and chair about 25 degrees clockwise. Now try to navigate a website.
When you have your mouse not aligned with the screen, you end up moving it contrary to where your eye sees the mouse cursor moving. Sure, you can adjust, but it is awkward and takes time.
The same goes for a joystick. You align it with the screen, not with your body. This way pushing toward the screen is up, if you angle it, pushing toward the screen is actually top left.
I have a buddy who plays first person shooter games with his mouse inverted like a plane's controls. That is fine for him, because he trained his brain to have the "world" go down when he pulls the mouse back, rather than his gun, but nobody else could sit at his computer and play it easily. This is the same concept. Sure, you can teach yourself to play that way, but why? Just do it right the first time and it will work for others.