I'm totally with you, but for the sake of argument, aren't we giving up too easily?
Super Mario Bros on NES required up to 3 button presses, that I can account for. Direction to run + A to run faster + B to jump.
Now I'm not saying we're going to change the world, but aren't gamers good at adapting? Who's to say, that if our game(s) looked promising ppl wouldn't "learn" to let go of the D-pab direction, then time the jump? In this context, hitting the D-pad repeated could increase the character's velocity.
As for the Konami Code / Street Fighter chain of button presses = special command, couldn't a "Level 0" or training screen be created to teach the player how to play the game?
Is this ideal? NO! Is it doable? I think it is. Is it worth it? That depends.
As for porting an already working game to use different controls... when you can get Marmalade for 6 months?
peace & 42