He's low effort. He's a clone. It seems like an easy way for them to make a little extra dough.
Like, I doubt anyone wants Pichu in over Wolf or a newcomer. But Pichu wouldn't get in over Wolf or a newcomer. He'd get in because he'd likely be an easily-made clone.
I think there are more deserving characters OR franchises that need more representation. If I had my way, I'd put in:
- K. Rool (obvious, he should have been a shoe in a long time ago)
- someone from Earthbound/Mother...Poo? Jeff? Kumatora? Paula?
- Someone from Metroid...maybe Ridley/Dark Samus/one of the Hunters
- Black Shadow from F-Zero (he could be a grappler/wrestler since we don't have anyone like that in the game, could be a nice new dynamic)
- Isaac
- Wolf (completely new moveset/Final Smash)
- Ice Climbers
- King Hippo (dunno how he'd work but Sakurai is creative enough to think of something)
**wishful thinking**
- Castlevania rep (Simon or Richter)
- Captain N complete with Zapper