Since smash speculation is fun and all, I'd like to provide an alternative perspective on the smash ballot and characters that might have been voted for. In particular in regards to Simon Belmont.
I know google trends isn't the most reliable source of information, but once you're able to correlate enough data, you can see how well trends agree with common opinions. (sorry if it seems I'm beating an old horse)
Consider smash ballot search in regards to K. Rool and Simon Belmont:
https://trends.google.com/trends/ex...07-24&q=/g/11r_p9fdl,/g/122mqnh2,smash ballot
Considering only Simon and K Rool:
https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=2013-07-24 2018-07-24&q=/g/11r_p9fdl,/g/122mqnh2
This might reflect that Simon was alot more sought for than many of the forum polls indicated (yes there were many more searches for K Rool, but maybe not as many more as we might believe) We might have to accept that Smashboards, Gamefaqs, Reddit etc might be less representative of Smash Bros. fans than we expect (just observe the echo chamber effects in the character threads while also considering leaks and rumors)
For those inquisitive among you: You'll notice there are quite a few "favorite" characters which correlate really badly with the smash ballot, and a few which correlate reasonably well. Can you guess which ones for both cases? Does this fit the current Smash Ultimate narrative?
(I hope this doesn't seem like a rant. I just think it's good to think outside of the box at times)
On a more positive note:
If I would have to guess: Isaac himself as a silent protagonist seems like the type to attract a less vocal fan base, which would none the less be willing to support their hero from the background. (maybe those bumps in Golden Sun searches actually
https://trends.google.com/trends/ex...g/11r_p9fdl,/g/122mqnh2,/m/028rvy,isaac smash
Hoping to play Isaac on a fancy level with the Jupiter and Venus light houses as well as mount Aleph.
I believe Alex will return!
(at least for Golden Sun)