Here is a tidbit translated from Sakurai’s weekly column in Famitsu. Specifically, a question regarding characters with alternate models, or “clones.” Original transcript below my translation. (I helped nintendoeverything.com with their translation, in case anyone wonders about possible overlap).
-How were Fighters with alternate models decided? [Clones]
There are 3 clone characters. At the start [of development] we made them alts but during development they started to develop their own individual traits related to balancing, so we ended up making them separate characters in order to separate their records. However, it was imperative that they did not take too many man-hours from the work itself. As they did not have to be created from scratch, they were balanced simply by altering [the original] slightly.
Lucina and Marth have different sword properties. Dark Pit and Pit are the same, but to give Dark Pit his unique arm and final smash, we had to make him a separate character. I thought old Dr. Mario fans would not agree to Dr. Mario being the same as Mario, so went on to give him a unique customizable set.
For example, this is like a free dessert after a luxurious meal that was prepared free of charge. In a restaurant with this type of service, I don’t think there’s anybody who would say, “Change this to a meat dish!!”
Yet, I’m told [to do that] about “Smash Bros.” But, I guess since a lot of them are children that do not fully understand, it cannot be helped.
Could you please leave it to me to select [characters] with man-hours and costs in mind? However you look at it, the game is a great bargain buy as a result.
(Original):
・モデル替えファイターはどのように決められたの？
モデル替えファイターは３人います。それぞれ、もともとカラーバリエーションとして制作を進めていたもので、途中でバランス的な個性がついたから戦績を別にするために枠を分けたのですね。ただし、制作工数を増やさないことが必須。イチからバランス取りが必要になると入られないので、相対的に調整するのです。
ルキナはマルスの剣質を変えたもの。ブラックピットはピットとほぼ同じだけど、豪腕や最後の切りふだが変わったために、戦績管理上別枠になったもの。ドクターマリオは、マリオと同じでは旧ドクターマリオファンが納得してくれないだろうから、カスタマイズの仕組みを使ってそれらしく。
これらはたとえば、採算度外視の豪勢な料理を用意したうえで、がんばってサービスとして出したデザートのようなものです。レストランではこういったサービスを「メインの肉料理に変えてくれ！！」と騒ぐ人はいないと思います。
が、「スマブラ]では言われるんですよね。とくに子供はわからなくてもしかたがないですが。
制作工数からの選択については、わたしに任せてくださいます？どう考えてもすごくお買い得な作品にはなっていますので。
