One aspect of the Samsonite wheeled bags with that configuration that has remained superior is that the wheels are internal to the bag, and therefore have really good longevity.

On the rare occasions I have to take checked bags on a multi-stop trip to Asia or Europe, the battered old 80s-era Samsonite hard-side with the goofy longitudinal wheels is my first choice. Those old gorilla ads weren't overselling the product!