It feels canonically incorrect to ignore bosses.

[Dorayaki]

*To define bosses: we go with broad definition, any character that lead an entire country, political region, army or even a corporation. Not just villains but positive characters count too.

I find it weird when it comes to big sport contests in Mario world, we don't really see a bunch of lords or bosses compete for a race. Like, usually a country wants to nominate it's most talented candidate, most rulers or leaders happen to be more capable of the sport thing. So it feels weird when the countries don't try to push strong candidates for the honor.

Yes, in series history we've got crazy villains like Shadow Queen who just devotes to world end. But we still got many peaceful leaders like King Bob-omb or Prince Mallow, or ones like King K.Rool who'd seek for a violent competiton like Bowser does. It feels like most of them wouldn't really ignore it on purpose. In fact, it'd be a really fun idea if Peach uses the sport contests as a kind of diplomatic activities.

I get that some of the party subjects exist for pure fun, so it doesn't matter if you're a nameless minion or citizen. But in several Mario subjects the rosters also require diversity in weight and power, so I find it weird to not put more XXL size characters in the use of diversity

 

[Xiahou Dun]

You don't see politicians sporting in a serious competition in real life. They usually send athletes over to represent them. Princess Peach, Princess Daisy (whose status as an actual ruler remains ambiguous), King Bowser, Prince Bowser Jr., Mayor Pauline, and occasionally King Bob-omb are more exception than rule. So I'm sure the Coin Coffer, Pokey, Koopa Troopa, Shy Guy, Dry Bones, Hammer Bro., and Conkdor you're seeing are the prime, exceptional individuals for their species.

 

[Wittgenstein]

I don't think crazy world ending villains like Shadow Queen should be written off either. Them racing around with Toad and Goomba would be funny (and appeal to people who like that type of character in the series) and I don't think any further reason is needed.

 

[Xiahou Ba]

You know in a universe where Bloodborne Kart and Five Laps at Freddy's exists, I don't think the prospect of having super serious, destructive characters kart race with each other is THAT big of a deal.