Nintendo has made strides in inclusiveness with many of its properties, Mario Kart among them, but they still have a ways to go.
Of the 36 playable drivers in Mario Kart 8, 12 are female-presenting. That's one in three, a big improvement from the SNES original's one in eight. However, there are still zero POC on the roster, and Birdo, the most visible trans* character in gaming, has been dropped from the series for no apparent reason. Also problematic is the introduction of the White Shy Guy, who bears a disturbing resemblance to a hooded Klansman. Given Japan's troubled history with representations of Black people, it is reasonable to wonder about their intentions here.
I'm thinking maybe hackers could shift the balance a little by giving the Black Shy Guy some Black Power imagery, like a raised fist salute, Afro, and Cleaver pants. How cool would that be?