I mean, personally, it is a bit of a disappointment. I understand if they can't do all of the third party characters, but every character that Nintendo owns should return, and build on that roster.

The game has 70 plus characters with guests from 6 other companies one of which is a competing platform holder it's a given that future games may not achieve the same.

I can hear the bellyaching already when the next title comes

TBH I see this as an absolute win. I really dont like the gigantic roster in fighting games. Knowing how to use all characters allows one to play more competitively when playing against them and that its pretty darn hard in SMU. That is the one gigantic plus of the original SM64 (which remains my fav).
SMU has what? 70 chars? I mean, I dont know if we need characters like R.O.B. or Palutena or Corrin in the game.

I really hope that they don't remove characters with the next one.

Of course. The next Smash Bros will be a reinvention of the franchise. 70+ characters is too much start with.

Huh? Not sure I get what you're asking..

Thought as much.
There's nowhere to go but down with a new game in terms of content.
I'd actually prefer if they port Ultimate, with all the DLC from the Switch's life span, over to Switch 2 and then sell the game on the new characters, stages, modes, and content they're adding for the Switch 2's life span. Call it "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate 2.0" or "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for Nintendo Switch 2." Something along the lines. Because, honestly, I see no need or reason for a Smash 6 after this.

I am making the logical and fair conclusion that millions of Smash Bros fans are going to expect that everything return. I am betting that the next Smash Bros will be starting from scratch. Ultimate was a end to an era.

On one hand, it seems it has to be that way. On the other hand, doesn't Sakurai always lie about stuff like this? I vaguely remember him saying the same thing about Smash 4.