Why do people like Red so much?

He's got NO personality, and I mean zero, he doesn't even speak. He's not that hard to beat, and he doesn't do anything in any game beyond the first generation. My theory is that all of the things people like about Red are projected, because since you got to play as Red in the first game, playing Red up to be this mysterious badass in the second makes YOU feel cooler. You feel like Red IS you, which is why everyone is constantly crying about how hes not in the games anymore. No shit he's not in the games, what the hell would he do? Stand there with his "..." and take up space?