UPDATE: I've updated this post on 06/11/17 right before e3. To change some characters since various things have happened since then. All updates are in bold.
I had a list a few weeks ago, so I'll just repost it with some slight differences:
I don't see them making a "port" of Smash, instead I see them getting all the WiiU content in and just adding onto it with characters, stages, trophies, and likely one new single player mode and I see them calling it Smash 5/the fifth Smash game. So I'm going for a full set of new characters by end of next year.
I want to guess between 8-15 characters and for this list I'll say 15 characters that I think will happen. Taking a look at what was added in Smash 4 these are mostly my genuine guesses in no particular order
1: Inklings - I mean do I need to say why? lol.
2: Ice Climbers - See 1.
3: Monster Hunter (F/M varients, each with different armors) - MH is now a huge Nintendo partner. So unless the MH team says no like they did with MVC3 I don't see how they don't get in. If they do say no, I hope they realize they are saying no to Sakuari and are ashamed of their decision. UPDATE: Leaked roster of MVCI has MH so only reinforces my belief!
4: Joker (Persona 5 Protagonist) - Atlus is Nintendo's biggest partner without a rep. A Persona rep seems likely since Persona kinda became Atlus's Mascot, but anyone is likely from P5 Protag to Flynn to Jack Frost. But it remains that Atlus rep seems likely to be added and I am pretty sure a Persona rep will be chosen since Sakurai would choose the most popular as with Cloud. While going with Yu Narukami would be the popular pick, I feel it will actually be Joker upon further reflection. So that is my final Atlus rep pick.
5: Mimikyu - I would love Primarina but yeah, don't see it happening. Decidueye is the popular pick but something with the way they promote Mimikyu makes me suspect that it will be the next Pokemon rep. UPDATE: The popular pick in Decidueye is confirmed for Pokken Deluxe, which only reinforces by belief Mimikyu in Smash
6: Paper Mario - Huge franchise always treated kinda seperate from Mario most notably in Paper Jam. Huge moveset potential, and despite...the way the series has gone still a memorable series.
7: Shovel Knight - I feel like an Indie rep is likely and Shovel Knight seems the most likely.
8: Chorus Kids - Was planned for 4. Likely cut for 3DS limits. See no reason to not add them.
9: Snake - Despite Konami going insane, they have unusually been supportive of VC and are even in the NES mini pack, so Nintendo and Konami must be on good terms so I think its fairly likely.
10: Banjo & Kazooie - MS and Nintendo have worked plenty before. If they want him, I don't really see MS saying no. The most they'd ask is to throw in a few Halo trophies or something lol.
11: Minecrafter - Huge with kids, now on WiiU and will most certainly come to Switch probably by end of 2017.
12: Ashley - I don't know but them suddenly having so much merchandise like themes and badges just for this one character keeps throwing me off for some reason...
13: Rayman - Various things make me suspect a bigger partnership between Nintendo and Ubisoft. Kinda blindly throwing this one in.
14: Balloon Fighter - As a tribute to Iwata, I can see Sakurai putting Balloon Fighter in as a playable character.
15: Spring Man - Its made by the Mario Kart team, and a big new IP so I feel its getting a spot.
Let's see how close I get. Now bookmarking and I'll quote this post once its released to see how close I come.
Alot of third parties to first party ratio, but I kinda feel thats the direction they are taking Smash, a celebration of video games themselves. (Especially as they run out've most big 1st party characters.)
Thers alot more characters in my mind. But don't see it much higher than 15 so I'll cap it off here. I hope its atleast 8 to feel like a true sequel. Helps that I know there will be atleast one character I like (Inklings) so I'm hyped for whatever happens!
