Series can change.

There aren't really a ton of Nintendo characters that would make good additions at this point. Most characters would either be another clone (Star Fox has the territory covered), a Pokemon (which we have a million of already, especially if Mewtwo returns), or a stretch (i.e. someone who isn't really a main character in the game or has no appropriate move set).

There's plenty of room with trophies to add more characters. Or if they don't add more third parties, maybe they could replace trophies with support characters, where you'd pick a team a la Whatever Vs. Capcom, with one character under your control and a minor character who can be summoned to do a special move under certain conditions without requiring the full development of a normal character. That'd be pretty awesome and could potentially balance out weaker characters who need a better recovery or lack a projectile or what have you.

Whatever happens, the series needs a big change to justify a sequel. I'd love it if they just rereleased Brawl with better balancing and a couple new characters, but that won't set store shelves on fire. It's already been reported that Nintendo is trying harder to reach out to third parties, so I'd bet on at least a few visitors to the roster no matter what.

Besides the balancing, there's imrproving the stage builder. I remember Sakurai talking about how he needed to trim Brawl's features. There was supposed to be more content and some of those he mentions being significant. Whatever those are, I'd like it if it's brought over to SSB4.

Changing the game a bit would be kinda.. unnecessary. There's no need for support characters as Assist Trophies and Pokéballs cover that. I would hate to see the game turn into those other 2D fighters- because Smash Bros. is a versatile game. It's a party game as well as a game for competitive players. That's what really makes these games special. Dissidia Final Fantasy is another one of my favorite fighting games because it's simple but also has lots of depth to it like Smash Bros. These two games really separate themselves and really open the fighting genre and escapes from Street Fighter, Blazblue, etc.

But I do agree on one thing- balance. There really doesn't need to be a big change to justify a sequel. Street Fighter is a prime example- people still buy those games even though there isn't much change at all. The only real change is the balancing and improving the game's mechanics. That's all, really.

Smash Bros. is basically Kirby's Fighting game

An idea just struck me for a character choice:

From the Kanto region, Gary Oak!

I'd be okay with some changes as long as they don't make it more like traditional fighters. People complain that Brawl is unstructured and chaotic, but that's the appeal. I can appreciate games like Street Fighter, but they're not for me. The reason I was drawn to Smash Bros in the first place is that all the variables coming into play make it unpredictable, and if they got rid of that I'd probably find it boring. I mean, sure, I could do without the tripping, but I would hate to see a structured Smash Bros game.

More stages (can you believe there isn't a SMB3 stage yet? Airship surely?)

We all have ideas for additional characters.

For me, being able to design the background (like a paint program) for custom stages is essential.

http://i.imgur.com/0J4A3.png

This guy SUPPOSEDLY works at ESRB. Doubt it's real though =/

yeeeeaaaahhhhh i could see why you would think that.

i want a megaman. and ryu. his moveset would translate well. maybe a hunter or two from metroid. and freakin toad! and waluigi. just cover all the mario sports characters. and someone from FF. squeenix and ninty have had crossover games, why not smash?

Support characters would not make it any less like Smash and more like Street Fighter. Not that Nintendo would do it anyway.

I want to see a "FINISH HIM!" Mortal-kombat type thing in the next SSB that will implement the touchscreen.

I hope they change Ness and Lucas to reflect what they can actually do in EarthBound and Mother 3. Then they could add another character from EarthBound who has Lucas's old attacks. This is unlikely, but it has always bothered me. Their Final Smashes should have been PSI Rockin' and PK Love. Also, I really want Saki to be playable this time.

One move they'll never do:

Add blood.

Any object that could possibly cut someone is covered in a substance that sends people flying across the screen instead.

I see the game as a party game with items and a competitive game without them. Any attempts for both competitive and items just turn into a relay race. I would still love to see options for 4 player co-op, online matches sorted by: with/without items, stock/time/coin, tripping on/off and homemade stages on/off.(with each player only allowed to flag 3 homemade stages for online play)

Actually, I think it's even more balanced than what you're saying. I can beat most anyone using metaknight and I've got a friend who has never lost a match with ganondorf.

The problem with that, unfortunately, is that their moves aren't visual and mostly aren't offensive. It does bother me a bit (especially Ness's green ball thing — I don't even know what he says or what it's supposed to be) ...but it would bother me more if they were boring to play while Paula had all the cool moves. Kumatora I wouldn't mind because I like her more than Lucas, but that seems less likely. Regardless, thumbs up for the Mother love.

That green ball thing is PK Flash

In the game. the ultimate level pretty much obliterates enemies into nothing because of the intense light. In Smash Bros, you really need to use it at the right time and use it sparingly. I've used it quite a few times especially when people least expect it and man, is landing a big flash satisfying. As much as I like Paula, I'd say Kumatora should be playable because she seems more of that... fighting type and she could be really speedy. Her side B move could be a variant of PK Freeze and her standard B move could be a variant of PK Thunder (as there are many different types of those moves). They could also just make up a special PSI/PK attack just as they did with Pikachu's Thunder Jolt that only appears in Smash Bros.

Masked Man would also be a nice addition as he would be significantly different in the way he fights compared to Ness and Lucas considering he wields a sword.

@weird_adam: I think that would only be a problem with Lucas. Both of them can learn PK Flash, so that can stay. Their defensive moves like Shield and Counter could work like Zelda's neutral B, and Ness can use Hypnosis and Paralysis. The problem for Lucas is that Mother 3 replaced those last two with stat buffs. They could probably get creative and have him use an item from Mother 3 instead, and that would also keep the two from being complete clones.

When I said another character, I actually wasn't thinking of Paula or Kumatora. If they add another EarthBound character, I want it to be Poo. He can do most of Paula's attacks, plus Starstorm and Brainshock, and I imagine he'd have some pretty awesome physical attacks.

@komicturtle92: I hadn't thought of the Masked Man, but that would be amazing. I was thinking that Poo could somehow use his sword, too.

@Rift

I had hoped Poo would be in Brawl. I'm gutted that there isn't much of any trophies of the MOTHER series in Brawl. I was happy that Jeff makes an appearance as an assist trophy. His stalker, Tony would be a fun addition to SSB4 too

Or maybe have Wess use his sneaking tools to fight.
He would look weird in 3D though haha.

Hm.. Wess??