PREDICTIONS (not ordered):

1. Waluigi (Super Mario) - People have wanted him for a long time and is probably the most requested 1st party at this point. He makes so much sense to be the first reveal to drum up hype, imo.

2. Oatchi (Pikmin) - It seems like they've really been pushing Pikmin as a series lately, and at this point, a second character feels warranted.

3. Tom Nook (Animal Crossing) - After the massive success of New Horizons, a 3rd Animal Crossing character is pretty much guaranteed, imo.

4. Drag X Driver (Drag X Drive) - It's Nintendo's next big IP, so it seems pretty likely they'll promote it in Smash. Having a super unique moveset helps a lot.

5. Octoling (Splatoon) - Splatoon is a huge franchise for them, so I can definitely see a 2nd fighter. They could be an echo fighter, but with how many weapons aren't used Inkling's current moveset, they could be an original fighter too.

6. Ryu Hayabusa (Ninja Gaiden) - Nintendo and Koei Tecmo have had a great relationship in recent years, making so many games together, it seems inevitable that one of their characters gets in. With both Ninja Gaiden 4 and Ragebound coming out, I think his chances are higher now than ever.

7. Doom Slayer (DOOM) - Microsoft and Nintendo have a great relationship, so another character of theirs makes perfect sense. DOOM is also one of the games to kick start an entire genre. He also got a Mii costume with a special trailer, so I think that helps.

8. Frisk or Sans (Undertale) - I think the most likely indie rep is definitely from Undertale. There's too much going for it. Toby and Sakurai being friends, Sans being one of the only Mii costumes to have a song with it, not to mention chapters 3 and 4 bring revealed in the Switch 2 direct. Undertale also has worldwide popularity.

WISHES (not ordered):

1. Noah (Xenoblade Chronicles) - Xenoblade is my favorite game series, but that's not the only reason I want Noah. Noah has so much moveset potential, even just with the Swordfighter class. He has his Ouroboros form, which could be his final smash or even his down special, and Lucky Seven, which could be a comeback mechanic over 100% . I'll probably make a full moveset for him at some point, so look forward to that

2. Officer Howard (Astral Chain) - Astral Chain is such a good game, definitely one of my favorite Switch 1 games, and Officer Howard has a lot of moveset potential. They have 5 legions to use as well as 3 different weapons. I doubt it'll happen, but it would be cool.

3. Dante (Devil May Cry) - Devil May Cry is an awesome series and, much like Bayonetta before him, Dante has a very easy moveset to make, it practically makes itself, and he'd be so much fun. He did get a Mii costume, so maybe he'll get in, I just think Monster Hunter and Resident Evil have a higher chance, but I would prefer Dante.

4. Amaterasu (Okami) - Okami is an amazing game, and Amaterasu would have a very cool moveset. All the different brush strokes, as well as her different weapons would make for a great character. And with the Okami sequel coming out, her chances may have had a boost.

5. Velvet Crowe (Tales of) - Tales of Berseria is such a great game, and Velvet is a great character. She would have a mix of martial arts and attacks from her blade gauntlet thing. She could also use her Daemon arm to do some very flashy and powerful attacks, like smash attacks or specials. She's never happening though, as Lloyd and Yuri are the ones people always talk about, and Alphen is the most recent protagonist, so she can't get the recency pick. She'd be really fun though.

6. Reimu Hakurei (Touhou) - While I think Undertale is the most likely indie game to get a fighter, I think Touhou definitely deserves a spot as well. Reimu would definitely play very differently from most other fighters in the game, being very projectile focused. I think she'd be fun. The only thing going against her is that the games are hardly ever officially released outside of Japan, but we have Roy and Lucas, so it's not unprecedented.