Yes, subway tiles have been done so much…why? because they are a default. Large, small, white, stainless, glass, the subway tile will continue into the next century, along with the hex and black dot. The ultimate “little black dress” for a bath or kitchen. (Boston knows its subway tile.) Fish scale…great, as well. Kind of beachy or maybe a nod to art deco. Watch out though for the color of the grout you use. It is more noticeable with fish scale than with subway.

My comment about the wall size certainly applies since every tile would have to be cut and then IMO the effect gets lost when the tiles are not whole. I went to the Mineral Tiles web site there are no warnings about the tile that I could see. Maybe the store where you are shopping has had issues. Have you looked into back painted glass I can be done custom and might be the answer.. I have clients with glass tiles behind a gas range and in 5 yrs not one issue so I am not sure what the deal would be with the back painted panels but worth checking out.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Daltile-LuxeCraft-Arteko-Antique-White-3-in-x-12-in-Glazed-Ceramic-Wall-Tile-12-sq-ft-Case-AK01312HD1P2/313499026?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&&mtc=SHOPPING-RM-RMP-GGL-D23F-023_006_FLR_WLL_TILE-NA-DALTILE-NA-SMART-NA-NA-MK564461800-9017053820-NBR-1276-CON-NA-FY22_1276Backsplash&cm_mmc=SHOPPING-RM-RMP-GGL-D23F-023_006_FLR_WLL_TILE-NA-DALTILE-NA-SMART-NA-NA-MK564461800-9017053820-NBR-1276-CON-NA-FY22_1276Backsplash-71700000092103119-58700007748598710-92700070330548328&gbraid=0AAAAADq61UccgNls0LqwYfdC-bVBFPluz&gbraid=0AAAAADq61UccgNls0LqwYfdC-bVBFPluz&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgYSd192t-AIVv21vBB1AXAVlEAQYAiABEgJ-gfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds#overlay

I have a small kitchen too and I am looking for a 3" by 12" tile, but I am open to whatever works best. I like the brick-like proportions of longer tiles. But honestly, any tile is a vast improvement over the fake travertine 6" by 6" tiles installed on point (diagonally) that are on the backsplash now.