Why are Mu and Makoto still being neglected...?
No matter how long they've been out there, you can still make a roughly accurate assessment as to where they would fit in on the list.
I been using a 360 controller for a year and a 1/2 now and I can tell you that you can play every character at a high level with one except of Carl. Carl is the only one that I feel a 360 controller user has a disadvantage, but that's it....
Also, I don't use the d-pad. I don't know why people would use the d-pad over the analog stick. The analog stick is obviously the next best thing from a arcade stick, I never even thought twice about it. Its not nearly as difficult as people make it out to be, just get used to it.