Canti's were on all bikes a few years back. Now the industry is pushing V Brake style systems. I am sure we will see the return of cantilevers in a few years.
V Brakes are much smoother than many cantilevers thus many riders blessed tis but a nice set of cantilevers were really good as well.
Now the industry is pushing disc brakes. These are very good, but setting them up is many hard for many and many times ends up being costly and timely to many.
Bottom line is personal preference. I hate it when the industry forces fads to the public but sadly that is what many want. Many want to buy then and now and companies are forced to make a decision for you. I wish they let people decide but this would mean people would have to wait to get what they want and people now days do not want to wait.
Buy what you want. XTR Cantilevers were very good and smooth. Here on the local club we have a MTB hall-of-famer. He is old school and all his machines have cantilever and a few even U Brakes!