I see history repeating itself. The wailing and doom-and-gloom that surrounded the 35-character leak is beginning to set itself upon this one(and I constantly read those older threads because hey, it's kinda funny I'll admit to see such gnashing of teeth). "There's gotta be more newcomers!" "We're not sure that's
all of them!" "What about <insert character here>? Sakurai'd be dumb to leave them out!"
Then the Mewtwo cut happened. Then R.O.B. happened(and I like him!). People refused right up to the bitter end to think that, hey, this is actually legit and true. I even saw right up until the last
day discussions for Isaac and Mewtwo. No Krystal, no Mewtwo, no Ridley, no Sora(yeah, someone actually campaigned for
Sora of all people). People straight-
hated R.O.B.(I particularly loved the hatethreads in his subforum).
So, the topic of history repeating brings me back here. People are rationalizing an unrealistic roster count(47+Random works for a uniform UI across 3DS and WiiU. 51+random doesn't, as the 3DS CSS will look funky) just to try and think to themselves that their favorite will be getting in, and absolutely slamming those that did get in for getting in(WFT earlier, Miis now, Chorus Men/Chrom later).
47 characters + Random square works because it can be cleanly divided into rectangles based on the screen of the 3DS and the HD screens of the WiiU. 52 doesn't really divide all that easily(unless you divide it into four rows, which it does, to 13 character per row. But the 3DS likely can't handle that kind of CSS and maintain any kind of readability, so it'd have to be more square-ish to compensate). 48 total squares made an easy division of 6 rows of eight, which the 3DS would likely handle far more easily. A scrolling CSS is unacceptable, simply put. It can confuse newcomers to the game, looks quite ugly, compromises the visual of a vast roster, and could also be a pain to navigate depending on what character you want. Therefore, I'll put to imagery what I set into words.
(SSB Roster Maker doesn't support more than 10 rows, it seems, so the second row where Mario starts is where the 3DS CSS starts. Sorry for any confusion!)
So, a more block-ish format will allow for an easier time with the 3DS rendering all of the character options at once. 47 + Random makes sense in this regard. I really think this is the final roster we're looking at. I don't think they'll be perfect squares as the SSB Roster Maker puts them in, so it'll stretch as appropriate to fit well on the 3DS's top screen(which, according to the demo, is where the CSS will be).
Wait, Mii Fighters can't go online, so won't their square disappear and render your whole dumb theory even dumber?
I believe that when you go Online vs Anyone, the Mii square will be dimmed, but not removed, to showcase that they're not playable. Or, there could be another solution that would allow Miis online but disallow customizations to either body or special moves, but I cannot speak to that.
Why're they placed where they are?
I tried to place them in a manner that made sense theme-wise. Really, that's the most flexible part of my CSS submission, so I'd not look into it all too much.
Waitasec! You've got seven characters over there that aren't sorted, and none confirmed by Gematsu. Do you have a heart after all?!
That's a wishlist of sorts. I never really got to post it, but they're my impossible dreams.
Jeff: The only non-PSI user from Earthbound, he could use Bottle Rockets and various popguns to do battle. That said, he's DOA because if Ness and Lucas are having a tug-of-war to stay in Smash, this kid's chances are all but zero.
Leon: A non-Black Shadow/Blood Falcon/Samurai Goroh F-Zero suggestion. Could use soccer techniques and maybe the occasional claw attack to do battle. LOL if you think F-Zero is getting a second rep though. Massive LOL.
Anthony Higgs: A heavy-artillery user could be an interesting fit, and combined with a freeze pistol, he could be a zoning nightmare. Metroid won't see another rep this iteration though, and he's still gotta get more popular, despite the memes.
Xerneas: Quadruped, new type, deer. Add moon lasers, Geomancy self-buff, Horn Leech for a self-heal(maybe between 2-5% per hit), and I think he learns Bounce or something(maybe reflavor Megahorn). Unfortunately, he's a Pokeball. DOA.
Krystal: A melee-oriented staff user that might take a few tools out of Star Fox's arsenal to up her game and reflect her stradding between worlds. Maybe even summon Prince Tricky or her pterodactyl. Palutena kills her chances though, sadly.
Sabrewulf: Always been a favorite of mine, and a member of the massive push to establish the N64's 'killer fighting game'. No chance in hell though, given that Rare wouldn't accept Nintendo's water if they were dying of thirst in the desert.
Captain N: Admit it, you'd be hyped out of your mind if this kid got in. The Zapper, the Pause Button Final Smash, the Power Glove, he could be to Nintendo peripherals what Pac-Man is to Namco games. No one knows of him in Japan, though.