I have inside sources from a translation department affiliated with the new Smash Brothers game.
At first, I wanted to sit back and watch, seeing what your guys could come up with, but so far, no one has got it 100% right
I didn't want to post the information I had, but since /v/ is now flooded with leaks, I thought that it wouldn't hurt, given that not many would believe it. Anyway, here we go...
First off, there will be a subspace-like mode, full of cut scenes like the original. This is the 'streamlined' way of unlocking characters that Sakurai talked about. In addition, you will be able to unlock characters by playing matches or by completing certain events in classic mode (which takes inspiration from the brawl and melee versions).
There will be a new 'break the targets' mode which involves your character free-falling while breaking targets and trying to avoid obstacles.
As far as characters, there are a total of 5 that I am currently aware of. These include:
>King K. Rool
>Geno
>Excite Biker
>Ashley
>A Kirby rep (my source wasn't sure which one, but they would not be a clone)
Most of these seem to be based off of the ballot from last year, but I don't know for sure.
There are also 2 new echo fighters:
>Shadow the hedgehog
>Yarn Yoshi
In addition to all of this, most (if not all) characters will be getting a model-change costume along the lines of builder Mario and meta-Ridley.
Most of this information was made clear to me a few months ago, so more changes were probably made, not sure though.
Anyway, bring on the 'fake and gay'!
I'm pretty sure that translation departments have different procedures. I can't say which studio my source works for but enough was able to get through.
I don't know why they chose to give yarn Yoshi the echo spot. (maybe different visual effects?). As far as the small number of echo fighters, I got this information months ago, given that echos don't take long to complete i'm sure that they will have more on the way
Don't have much to say. We'll see on this one.