I don't know what it is that makes you insist that a newer MCU is "better" in any way, than an old, "steam-driven" MCU
1) a newer derivative is not (about to be) discontinued
2) a newer derivative is cheaper
3) your design will have a longer lifetime
4) you are less likely to run out of steam

you have tons of money to waste on making new PCB's for at your boss'/clients' expense
That is accusing me of not being a professional, I resent that. I do not waste money, be it mine or my clients.

The guy who bought the eval kit that his instructor told him to use might find it difficult to justify buying a new $15 MCU just because Erik likes it.
I have specifically made allowances for those forced to do so. (help them but make them aware to "go forth and sin no more")

He might find it costly to have a new board made.
Where do you see me stating any such. WHO, but you, claim that buying a devboard means getting a board with a 8255. There are, actually, some devboard makers that have not been too lazy to update their designs.

Anyone who's read your posts knows you'd never, Never, NEVER use an 8255 for anything, no matter how sensible it might seem, despite the fact that the specified MCU easily allows for its use..
1) I know no case where it is 'sensible'
2) should such a case come up, I would use it.

anyone who's read your posts knows you'd never use any component that's been on the market for more than half a day.
NOT TRUE, the litmus test is not 'age' but "is it replaced by something better" such as gaining 18 port pins by the replacement of the 'traditional' '51 by a RD2 or even a '668, not to mention an 8-porter such as the SILabs F120.

However, you've completely overlooked the basic purpose of microcontrollers, namely to replace a lot of logic where it would have otherwise been required.
Now you are completely off the rocker. Who, more than me, has hammered "If you use a '51 do control, if you want 'process' get another chi[p"

Today, there are lots of applications into which one places a general-purpose board with an MCU and some peripheral hardware instead of a board of logic, in order to build one or two of something. That doesn't warrant a new PCB, and a new part, in high-density packaging, with enough I/O's to support your arguments, just won't fit into such an application.
If you visit the SILabs forum, you will find legio users that do just that and (GASP) without an 8255.

Erik

PS you keep blasting me for making a list complete (the PSD chips) should I make an incomplete list, just because my recollection is the existence, not the website?