[RunSet]

> Pong using where it hits to affect the angle never totally made sense to me. I assume the explanation is "the paddle is drawn as a rectangle, but is actually parabolic."

It doesn't have to be realistic, only fun. The justification (very much not an explanation) is that it is more fun if the player can affect the angle of the rebound by positioning the paddle.

It's also not realistic for Mario to change his jump's arc after he leaves the ground but the "rule of cool" holds in the Mushroom Kingdom, too.