I figured that due to the massive first-player mode, there would not be a gargantuan amount of levels and characters as some would have wished. If the modes were less prominent, perhaps I would be dissapointed.
I'll start with character analysis.
Well, 35 is an increase of 10 over the last set of characters, not as big a growth as from SSB to Melee (12 to 25). However, we have to note that characters from the past have been changed as well with new moves (Mario for example) and Final Smashes to go with them. Not to mention removed Melee characters. This probably accounted for the slowed growth. But hey! It's growth nonetheless.
Notice how Melee had 14 at the start and grew to 25 (11 secret characters)
If 35 is correct, and we consider only being told 2 secret characters so far:
Then Brawl starts off with 21 characters and grows to 35 (14 secret characters)
That does make some sense, having more characters at the start than secret characters. Just a little thought my head got.
We know of the 23 selectable characters so far
Looking at the remaining Melee Characters, I see the following:
Jigglypuff - This character has been in it since the beginning, and I recall that Snake's VA had an interview saying that Jigglypuff was his favorite, just about confirming it.
Captain Falcon - If not CF, then we'll get another F-Zero character, but either way, we have seen Red Alloy copy his moves as always. A telling sign.
Luigi - I keep hearing people spew that they've seen a frame of something akin to A Luigi's Mansion level, but I'm not spreading that around. I know that he's in it because he's the brother of Mario and has diversified himself beyond clone status over the last generation. Whether Sakurai does that remains to be seen.
Game & Watch - I'm certain this is the last franchise in the "Melee" section of the logos. If he's not in it, a level certainly will be. He's too wacky to remove for some, too.
Ganondorf - IIRC, he was said to be brought to Sakurai in an interview with the Zelda producer. Either way, I expect him refitted to TP much like the others and perhaps de-clonified to include his sword for once.
Young Link - I have a feeling he'll be back, too, but not in any TP form. Due to Phantom Hourglass's Japanese success and the obvious popularity of this WW style, I think he will be de-clonified and given WW-esque moves. A trophy of him wearing normal clothes may be evidence against him, but it was mostly a trophy to discuss his clothing, not link himself.
Then these I'm unsure of:
Marth - Ike looks very much like him, but Fire Emblem DS is coming out, and I'm sure he has quite a following, too, both in American and Japan.
Falco - He's a clone, whether you want to argue it or not. He's different but not different enough. He does have popularity, though. Whether this can help keep his foothold as the second Starfox versus Krystal, though, is unknown.
Mewtwo - He was a cool concept of a character, but a lot of negativity arose about his balance compared to the rest. Perhaps retooling his moves would be best. Or replacing him with a different pokemon altogether?
The Definite Outs for me:
Ness - I'm a Ness-lover, loved him on SSB and Melee, but I see little reason for his return with Lucas here. I believe Sakurai himself said he was going to replace Ness with Lucas for Melee but Mother 3 did not release yet. If anything, the two are terribly similar that keeping Ness in and another Melee fighter out would be a shame. Well, not all other melee fighters.
Pichu - I played as him a bit, being a random-player and all, but seriously, he's weaksauce. A clone for the sake of being a clone, and a pretty weak one at that. Faster but weak. I doubt he's back unless clones are back, which I doubt.
Dr. Mario - As I said above, he's too similar to Mario, and I'd rather have a new character in his place. He's interesting, but he could be made into an AT just as well, too.
Roy - Ike is more recent, and Marth is more well-known and also upcoming. So, his purpose seems rather blah. That and he'd be too much like Marth if both were included.
32 characters right there. That leaves 3, or more if the "meh" ones above don't actually appear. Like I said, if Krystal takes precedent over Falco, she's in. Ridley is looking quite unlikely for a character but rather a boss for SSE. Geno *could* be an AT or a character, with all the moves he has, PLUS we still have that other franchise in question. I have a feeling Animal Crossing actually DOESN'T have a character. No DS character either. Mii as a secret "surprise" character could be funny, too.
So, it's up in the air, really.
