I think most people see a launcher and pull back thinking that it's intended to launch parallel to the top of the blaster.
 
Now if you'll excuse me, I have to dig out a squid launcher and try this out myself.

I find they work excellently if you pull straight back and release immediately. I would assume that's because there's less time for the squid's body to be crammed into the launcher, so there's less friction to overcome.

-L

I'm an advocate for the squids and think being yanked on and shot from a launcher is animal abuse, and all squid launching should cease immediately.

(Also I was one of those who could never figure it out.)

Don't mess with those, PETA's gonna be all over you when they see this.

There's just more of a learning curve than most people would ever want in a LEGO launcher. The fact that LEGO felt the need to release an instructional video shows they weren't anywhere near as intuitive as most launchers. And first impressions are important. If a person struggles with the launcher the first time they go to use it, that will often color their perception of the launcher in general and discourage them from trying to master it.

I opened a set, read the instructions, fired the launcher. never had any problems with it either lol. they're actually the fartest-flying launcher aside from the rhotuka

I think it's mostly the fact that the launcher CAN misfire, when everything else is more or less a lock. I was never quite infuriated with them, but they're not as fun as they could be.