Why cut characters?...even if they are doubles...just add new ones

I agree with you totally...but they said not all characters will be returning, and of the characters, I think the best candidates to go are the doubles.  I'd rather we keep everyone, but if we gotta cut anyone, might as well be characters that are no real loss.  

"Because it's not just a matter of me personally thinking this character or that character is going to be in the game," he said. "It's that we also have the game balance, animation, graphics, and sound to think about in order to make that character fully fleshed out in that universe. I have to think about all of that when I go through this decision-making process."

http://www.gamespot.com/news/sakurai-says-smash-bros-roster-selection-stressful-almost-to-the-brink-of-death-6410400

I don't think cuts are going to be all that bad though... sounds like he doesn't want to make many.

Snake was a beast js.

I would instantly buy this game if they make Fawful playable. :L

Looks like we'll be able to use to GameCube controller for Smash 4 with a little help from a third party adapter:

I wouldn't be surprised to see a "Smash Tournament Edition" Wii U controller (by Nintendo or maybe a third party like Hori) that has a more game cube like form factor.

I suppose I'd adapt to the Pro controller if I had to but damn that GameCube controller is so well suited for Smash.

Bought one of these a year or so back, and it's what I've been using with Brawl on the Wii U: