While Sweden which doesn't really break out of NW Europe till what, the mid-1500's at the quickest deserves more than nations that are relevant right through the time period?
Sure, so it should also take note of the countries outside of Europe that had a impact on Europe. Keep the game from becoming a case of "chose European power, win game".
It's not just that Brandenburg start slow, but their greatest feat involves creating the kingdom of Prussia, and that happened as late as 1701. By that time Sweden had already been a major European player for 80 - 140 years.