One thing to keep in mind is how primitive microprocessors like the 6502 were. The IBM 704 (introduced in 1954) had floating point in hardware (i.e. lots of vacuum tubes). The 6502, more than 20 years later, didn't have any math beyond 8-bit integer adds, subtracts, and shifts. Even integer multiplication required software. The 6502 floating point routines are an accomplishment, but implementing floating point circuitry with vacuum tubes is also pretty impressive.
The 6502 was special because it was so, so much cheaper than its competitors, at least initially, making home computers practical. And that's probably why it was so limited.
