Exactly.  The mother fanbase likes both, but the Smash fanbase just likes Ness, and only a small fraction of the Mother fanbase likes both seeing as Mother 3 was never released outside of Japan.  There was a chance of him getting replaced last game but now he's been established for two games.  I don't think it's impossible for him to be replaced, but very unlikely.

wow transformation into Ganon, something I hadn't thought about yet. Brilliant. Haven't thought much on Ganondorf though. Also good points about him using a sword.

Oh, much talk. My thoughts

AC Character: I would like to let everyone know this is still a rumor. This cam from GameFAQ so it could very well be fake. I think it's likely, as AC character was on the poll a few times. He kind of went unnoticed. We'll see. It's a good chance, but don't count on it.

Ness v Lucas: I agree with what naznatips said. Those who are Earthbound fans, know both characters, and will not be effected by Lucas. The thing is, Ness is an original. Why remove him now. I think Ness is more likely as he is actually still liked more then Lucas in Japan, where Lucas would get his fan base. I think it's safe to say Ness is back, but it can go either way.

I really couldn't care less if Ness or Lucas makes the game. I want all the movesets back, but in this case, the characters mean nothing to me.

@Andrew Peirce...

First of all, Smash isn't like Halo for one big reason... It's not nearly as crucial to Nintendo as Halo is to MS. In the list of Nintendo's 10 biggest current franchises, it's in the bottom half. Mario, Pokemon, Nintendogs, Wii-brand, Brain Age, Animal Crossing and arguably Zelda would all rank ahead of it.

Second, as for the cover... There's one going around which is widely believed to be legit, but not finalized.

Boxart is so much better big.

 No. In Ocarina of Time, he used magic balls you had to bounce back. It was in Ganon form that he used melee weapons (and a sword is a melee weapon, so I think you mean making him a hand-to-hand fighter in your comment). And Ganon in the past games used magic blasts and telekenisis to fight, not melee weapons.

 There are a couple more reasons. Smash tends to sell well long term, while Halo sells most in the first few months.

@ Erik Aston

I don't think it's legit. I think it's well made fanart. I could be wrong though. As far as Smash's franchise size, it was the best selling GC game above every single title you mentioned as bigger except Mario Kart. Of course if you count handheld games then I think it goes Mario > Pokemon > Smash > others.

@ LordTheNightKnight

Ganon in all older games (in his pig form) used a trident. Ganon in OoT used 2 swords as a giant and spells as Ganondorf (still never his fists). Ganondorf in Wind Waker used 2 large scimitars. Ganondorf in TP used the Twilight Sword that you see in the picture above. He has never been a melee fighter, hence my statement that SSBM sort of broke canon.

I thought Young Link was still there, just that TOOT Y. Link was being subbed with WW Y. Link?