I love you all to death (Just so I can smash bros with you) (SSBWiiU/3DS)

[Ton]

Well, since we're doing predictions... (Disclaimer: I know nothing about Fire Emblem)

Likely: Little Mac, Mewtwo,
Possible: Paper Mario/Bowser Jr., Zoroark, Sukapon, Dixie
Maybe: Krystal, Palutena
Fanboy hopes: Claus
Fanboy broken pipe dream that I don't really care about anymore: Geno

Chopping block: Sheik, Lucario, Pokemon Trainer, Wolf, Ike, Toon Link

[Virt]

Likely: Chrom :I

[Marth]

I'm ok with Chrom honestly he's a cool guy.

[TomGuycott]

Or perhaps even the Tactician, as I said before. What I think people might have to come to accept given the rumor from several months ago about Sakurai wanting the roster size to match Brawl is that some characters might get the axe. Here are some speculated guesses:

Toon Link- supposedly that is him on the spirit tracks stage, I have no idea because I didn't look hard. However, i think it's safe to assume a character is LESS likely to appear playable if they are already in a stage. Also, due to him being very much like Link, perhaps he was considered redundant.

Sheik- While part of a two-part deal, Sheik DOES take up space as a fully playable character. Lack of relevance in the modern games in the series makes it harder for Sheik, but at the same time relevance isn't always the deciding factor.

Meta Knight- Why would I ever think the coolest character ever might be at risk? Well according to some people, Meta is overpowered in Brawl's competitive scene. I'm inclined to agree because he is so freakin awesome. He's also the only character I am aware of banned in tournaments. That doesn't really effect me, but if this news ever reached Sakurai he might either need to rebalance him entirely or cut him. Seeing how Sak doesn't want to oversaturate the game with his own characters, it's a possibility, even if remote. Really the same goes for Dedede, but now that Bowser is faster maybe Big D is the new slow and heavy.

Lucario and Ike- seeing that both franchises have been susceptible to cuts in the past, I wouldn't be surprised to see one or both these guys replaced. In Ike's case I'd be disappointed, he brings aspects to the table in terms of how he is played that differ from the original Marth and Roy, and I don't think his style is exactly able to be pasted onto Chrom.

Wolf- Though he has the biggest differences from Fox compared to Falco, his lazy Final Smash and late appearance in SSE could mean he was added late in the production. However, Jigglypuff appears in the SSE just the same way, and JP has staying power. Just think that if anyone else, it might be someone who is the third character inspired by one original moveset.

[Kriven]

Keep in mind that Toon Link is the Wind Waker character while the Link from Spirit Tracks wasn't born until 100 years after that game, so the two aren't even the same character (not to mention that the Link in the stage is wearing his conductor uniform, possibly to differentiate him from a playable Toon Link).

[Terminal Devastation]

Or perhaps even the Tactician, as I said before. What I think people might have to come to accept given the rumor from several months ago about Sakurai wanting the roster size to match Brawl is that some characters might get the axe. Here are some speculated guesses:

Toon Link- supposedly that is him on the spirit tracks stage, I have no idea because I didn't look hard. However, i think it's safe to assume a character is LESS likely to appear playable if they are already in a stage. Also, due to him being very much like Link, perhaps he was considered redundant.

That does appear to be toon link, which I figure really DOES hurt his chances. However, LttP link might be replacing him. There's room for the faster link with a COMPLETELY different moveset if they do this... (and hopefully a new final smash where he uses all three medallion spells).
Assuming the spot isn't out right axed. Other contenter for the faster link role: Tingle, who like Zelda could nick some of Links stuff to fill out his move set.

Meta Knight- Why would I ever think the coolest character ever might be at risk? Well according to some people, Meta is overpowered in Brawl's competitive scene. I'm inclined to agree because he is so freakin awesome. He's also the only character I am aware of banned in tournaments. That doesn't really effect me, but if this news ever reached Sakurai he might either need to rebalance him entirely or cut him. Seeing how Sak doesn't want to oversaturate the game with his own characters, it's a possibility, even if remote. Really the same goes for Dedede, but now that Bowser is faster maybe Big D is the new slow and heavy.

It's very remote, and if it some how DID happen, if there was ever another Smash bros after this, Metaknight would have to return (he'd turn into the new megaman if he got cut from brawl) Rebalancing is the faster and easier option really.

Lucario and Ike- seeing that both franchises have been susceptible to cuts in the past, I wouldn't be surprised to see one or both these guys replaced. In Ike's case I'd be disappointed, he brings aspects to the table in terms of how he is played that differ from the original Marth and Roy, and I don't think his style is exactly able to be pasted onto Chrom.

My prediction is either Mewtwo either replaces Lucario or they both stay. Somehow.
In the Ike Chrom case, I'm pretty sure they'd only have to fix Ike's taunts to make chrom fit... so Ike is likely to be replaced.

Wolf- Though he has the biggest differences from Fox compared to Falco, his lazy Final Smash and late appearance in SSE could mean he was added late in the production. However, Jigglypuff appears in the SSE just the same way, and JP has staying power. Just think that if anyone else, it might be someone who is the third character inspired by one original moveset.

Have to agree here. At the very least, ONE landmaster is going, if not the characters that use them.

[Ton]

There's no way Meta-Knight is getting cut. Rebalanced, sure. But he's so popular even before being in Brawl that he's almost a lock.

Pikachu, Ness, Kirby, Fox, Marth, and Sheik have all been called OP in past games, and they're all still around.

[Koopaul]

Sakurai said the game would have around 50 characters in some interview.

Have a link? I don't want to get excited for no reason.

Oh I misread the quote:

It isn’t a matter of ‘if the next game has 50 characters, that’ll be enough.’ There is a certain charm to games that have huge casts of playable characters, but they tend to have issues with game balance and it becomes very difficult to fine-tune each character and have them all feel distinctive…. In terms of quantity, we’ve probably already reached the limit of what’s feasible. I think a change of direction may be what’s needed.

[TomGuycott]

I don't know if anyone posted this video here yet, it's basically just info we already know already, but it shows a lot more cohesive footage of how the fighting actually looks. It might just be me, but the jumping doesn't look AS floaty as Brawl, which is a pretty good thing. Also I love seeing the new characters being demonstrated.

[Koopaul]

So her Up Special is Hula Hoops and it looks like another Special is spiking the Volley Ball.

[Ton]

THIS GAME'S WINNER IS...



WII MILF!

[Goombaking123]

And so Dillon is forgotten forever...*sigh*
EDIT: Here's my list:
Little Mac
Pros:
Punch-Out (Wii) was released only a few years back, as well as being a classic NES character.
Cons:
No real variety from punching besides the Star Punch, and Villager uses boxing gloves in one of his moves.
Status:
Assist Trophy-Playable Character

Ridley:
Pros:
The most memorable villian character from the Metroid series, which could use some characters.
Cons:
Huge size that will end up result in using Other M's model to reduce size (will happen if he's a boss as well, sadly) and in the end is just a bigger Charizard.
Status:
Boss

Yellow Devil:
Pros:
Already comfirmed, but status is unknown. He could be like the Black Devil and use attacks similar to Dr. Wily's machine, as well as use his classic blot attack.
Cons: WAY too huge to be a playable character. His size is double of Bowser's.
Status:
Boss

Dillon:
Pros:
From a eShop title, so already owned by Nintendo. In addition, his western styled game gives him a few nifty abilities.
Cons:
His game's not that known, so he may be forgotten or not used in favor of more popular characters.
Status:
Assist Trophy-Playable Character

Bayonetta:
Pros:
She's a female character, and SEGA is in a partership with Nintendo currently. She has magic abilites and her pistols to use as weapons.
Cons:
Well, she ain't "kid-friendly", with her outfit and her guns n' all.
Status:
Assist Trophy-Playable Character

Another thing I saw was that the BG of the "boss fight" scene at the end with the Yellow Devil had Dr. Wily's castle in the BG. They might change it, but does that mean they'll use the character's locations in Subspace this time around?

[Virt]

does that mean they'll use the character's locations in Subspace this time around?

They actually did that in Brawl a few times. They used a segment of the Halberd in the one Boss Fight, and I think there are a few other examples, but none that I can remember off the top of my head.

[Kriven]

The entire jungle area is actually a hybridization of Kongo Jungle/DK Island and Yoshi's Island, and the castle where Marth is found is most likely a fort under siege from the Fire Emblem series.

Also, it could be said that "Subspace" is the same realm as that which can be briefly accessed in Super Mario Bros. 2.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Does anyone else think it's possible/likely that Olimar will be replaced by one of the new Captains or that one of the new Captains will appear utilizing only Pikmin 3 species (and/or Bulbmin, which were absent from Olimar's team)?

[soulcaliburfan]

Olimar is likely to return as it was mentioned the new commanders have some sort of connection to Olimar and Olimar himself appears in the game briefly.