Melee has a better gameplay foundation, and that's what counts the most for me. While Kirby sucks in Melee, all of my other mains are better (Mario, Link, Fox). Plus, again, the level 9s are amusing; and Pokeballs, Bob-ombs, Motion Sensor bombs, Warpstars, Freezies, and Screw Attacks are much better. Plus, we got the Parasol.
I don't see how wavedashing personally affected you. You can use it, you don't have to use it, you can tell other people not to use it. I do think wave-dashing is akin to snaking, though; both techniques end up breaking your shoulder buttons. Wavedashing is nowhere near obnoxious as tripping.