I actually hope Ultimate is the final Smash of Phase 1, if you will, and that the next Smash is a long way away and revolutionizes the genre with many new features, modes, better online, story, etc. Because of this, and to make it really feel like a phase 2 rather than just another Smash sequel, I hope that they eliminate all characters from games not available on Switch (Nintendo or third party) or the next device. I want the roster to feel next gen just as much as the features. Cut everything pre-Switch unless they are making a game for it in Switch 2, then freely release said character around launch of their new game to hype it up alongside Smash. Let Ultimate be the end of Super Smash Bros. Let the next game be the beginning of Ultra Instinct Smash Bros.

We're going to get A LOT of cuts in Smash 6, and not nearly enough new fighters.

For those thinking that we're going to get 70-80-90 fighters and basically Ultimate 2.0...
It's not gonna happen.
Ultimate was a once in a lifetime experience that we will likely never see again.

Most of the 3rd parties, a lot of older and obscure fighters are going to get cut and each Smash Bros. game moving forward is going to be a screenshot of what is relevant and big in video gaming AT THAT SPECIFIC point in time.

For example: A lot of Fire Emblem reps are going to get cut and all we're going to get for that franchise will be Marth (face of the franchise), Lucina (Marth's echo), Ike (most popular character), and whoever the main character for the next FE game is. Same deal with Pokemon. Reps like Greninja, Incineroar, and Lucario will be long gone and we're most likely going to have Pikachu, Jigglypuff, maybe Mewtwo, and the evolved form of one of the starters for that console's Pokemon game.

The only characters that are going to be safe and stay in Smash no matter what are the original 12 fighters.

Outside of that, you'll have some very popular staple characters in the franchises that will most likely stick around like Mario - Peach and Bowser; Zelda - Zelda and Ganondorf; And then, some of the popular, more Nintendo-associated 3rd party reps like Sonic, Bayonetta, and Mega Man.

After that, it's pretty much a guessing game as to who will be on a potential Smash 6 roster. But I can tell you right now, in terms of roster size, it's going to be a HUGE downgrade from Ultimate.

Actually partially agree with the OP. There should be more Nintendo characters and less 3rd parties.

In some way I agree with this. I know this is a rather unpopular opinion but I don't want a new Smash game very soon. It can take a good decade, or even longer. Smash Ultimate is already packed to the brim. I imagine the next game to be much smaller but trimmed from all the fat. However, for this to work out there needs to be a large gap in between, otherwise it would feel cheap and half-assed. Also, let's look at the concept of Smash, an arena brawler. Does this game need cutting edge technology? It can easily stay relevant on the market for a long time, even on the next Nintendo system. Especially at the current rate of diminishing returns in graphical capability. So yeah, I don't want a new Smash very soon. Also, let's give Sakurai his damn break already and let him do something new. He does great things when he wants to. Let him enjoy a breath of fresh air for once.

I agree. The roster is pretty inflated and could easily be downsized. A new Smash game is probably going to be smaller instead of bigger, at least that's what I think.

But please no Waluigi.

Antagonist from F-Zero.

Try that and I will hold your head in a microwave at full blast until your head is nothing but a burned skull.

People actually WANTED Joker? Seriously, name someone besides you and Leynos (Whom I might have to run down with a freight train if he tries anything with me) who actually wanted some random anime pretty boy douchebag.

Hero I'd say has gotta go because of reasons I won't say, the other Square Enix characters are more based on the assumption that  Terry because his franchise is now half-owned by a war criminal, Shantae because she's actually attractive while Bayonetta's just some demonic slut, and Kuntzuya because his trailer pissed me off big time for how it treated Captain Falcon AND he reduced Shantae to a Mii costume, which has become an even bigger insult to characters wanted for Smash Bros. than being an Assist Trophy.

*skins mZuzek and wears him as a hat*

I'd be fine with it if all the new characters came from sub genres (like Rawk Hawk from Paper Mario) or untouched ips they own that have no representative so far. But having 5+ characters each from Pokemon, Fire Emblem... is such a waste.

With how big Ultimate is, I foresee Nintendo skipping this series one generation just so that they can reset it. Fans could get mad, sure, but it'll give us a break from this game until we start to miss it, and settle for a reset. I'd say skip Switch 2.0 and restart with the next gen after that.

As far as Waluigi go, I doubt he'll ever be in this game as a fighter. Although, knowing how trollish Nintendo can be/get, I would really like to see a surprise add and show that Master Hand(s) are actually Waluigi's hands.

With how big Ultimate is, I foresee Nintendo skipping this series one generation just so that they can reset it. Fans could get mad, sure, but it'll give us a break from this game until we start to miss it, and settle for a reset. I'd say skip Switch 2.0 and restart with the next gen after that.

As far as Waluigi go, I doubt he'll ever be in this game as a fighter. Although, knowing how trollish Nintendo can be/get, I would really like to see a surprise add and show that Master Hand(s) are actually Waluigi's hands.