If Reggie's words may seem obvious, it does not preclude having to consider them.
"that never saw it coming / not anticipate to be in Super Smash Bros" is an announcement that will salt some expectations. Here are some recorded supports from the Smashboards community regarding some characters (not all topics are recorded) :
Banjo & Kazooie 318, Rayman 308, Professeur Layton 143, Shantae 133, Crash 116, Reimu Hakurei (Touhou Project) 74, Phoenix Wright 60, Ayumi Tachibana 52, Lloyd Irving 52, Doomguy 49, Arle Nadja 39, Erdrick 32, Heihachi Mishima 22, Nightmare (Soulcalibur) 20, Spriro 20, Goemon 19, Rhythm Girl 18, Terry Bogard 17, Quote (Cave Story) 16, Steve 14 (no mistake), Ryu Hayabusa 13, Solaire 13.
It's the true ending too for all chances concerning Banjo & Kazooie, in addition to being a non-promotional character, and that Smash has already summoned K. Rool and Krystal who were created by Rareware.
What would the new prediction lists look like without Konami, Sega, Travis Touchdown, Master Chief, Dante, Monster Hunter, Banjo-Kazooie, Rayman, Shantae, Lloyd Irving, Heihachi Mishima... and all the characters of the Nintendo licenses already represented ?