For one last comment about Impa - Something cool they could do is to update Sheik's look and moves by incorporating some of the design of Skyward Sword Impa (who I think had a pretty cool design). Would also be nice for Sheik to have a different Final Smash than Zelda, and Impa could provide inspiration for that.
And it's sad that Sakurai doesn't like alternate costumes, since it would be hilarious to give Zelda one where she's dressed like Impa from the Oracle games and transforms into Impa from Skyward Sword.
Not only that but it's saying that the similar character isn't unique or even worth trying to make a moveset for them.
So... I take you don't think Daisy is very likely, eh?
Anywho!
Meowth:
Popularity: He's an important character on the anime, so I imagine he's pretty popular. I don't know that he's particularly requested by Smash fans though. He does better than Impa though.
Relevancy: He's an important character on the anime. As far as in-game relevancy? Very little.
Design: Meowth is not the most interesting Pokemon out there in terms of abilities. So he's not getting points for bringing something really new.
Roster and Competition: Not enough Pokemon slots. That's the problem. And they're not going to put Meowth in over Mewtwo. And if they took out Lucario for Meowth? Then it'd be all first gen Pokemon. And I don't see them replacing Jigglypuff or Pokemon Trainer for Meowth. Adding Meowth AND Mewtwo? Well, maybe. But then there's Zoroark, Genesect, and other Pokemon which can be used to promote more recent games and movies to compete with.
Legal issues/Marketing: Gamefreak has a lot of say about which Pokemon gets in. I don't really see why they'd think Meowth was good to include now when they didn't think he was in Melee or Brawl. His big chance was Smash 64, and sadly they didn't have time.
Meowth chances: 1%
Once you get beyond Pikachu, the movie stars, Pokemon Trainer and Jigglypuff (who is in Smash because of the TV show), Meowth is probably the top cat. But there's just not a lot of space left over after those others have taken their share. He's about as WTF I'd expect a Pokemon newcomer to get, since it seems there's a decent marketing component to which Pokemon are added. Still, I'd be quite surprised.
Meowth want: 40%
I like Meowth as a cartoon character. But I don't think he'd be the greatest addition to the roster, and there are other Pokemon with more interesting move sets.
Now... if Team Rocket were to get in as the counterpart to Pokemon Trainer, that could be interesting. Jesse, James and Meowth stay in the background. It switches between one of Jesse's Pokemon, one of James's and Meowth (Meowth jumping in from the background, rather than from a Pokeball). That would be fun, and it would provide an excuse to include the phrase "Team Rocket's blasting off again!!" in the game. But yeah, that's not gonna happen.
Duck Hunt Dog prediction: 23%
*sigh* I just have to accept people don't understand numbers. I thought I was being generous in my Impa prediction, but I was way too low. Duck Hunt Dog will probably do better than her, so here it goes.
Nominations:
Mike Jones x5