Okay, let's play on words here. What assists Ness' inclusion is that Bhildorf puts down "and Lucas". If, theoretically, Ness was out, he might have said, "but Lucas is similar". Another possibility is that Nate just over-uses the phrase "up until now" in many contexts.
However, I doubt they would mention Ness, and then not confirm him soon if he were in. But then again, they had pics of Metaknight long before he was revealed.
And then again, Ness was referenced in Lucas' first update...
**HEAD ASPLODES!**