I didnt know either, but I think Sakurai once said that Mai wasnt a "good girl" enough to be in Smash.

Oh wow lol

Exactly, which is a big double standard since he let Bayonetta in, who's even less family friendly than Mai.

Bayonetta is pretty much like Zero Suit Samus by her outfit. Apparently the point or Mai Shiranui seems to be her boob physics, which is kind of why I understand why Sakurai didn't want her in the game that's supposed to be family friendly.

Bayonetta gets naked in her home series.

Why did Nintendo publish and fund such a game!?

The question is why did that thot get into Smash but not a queen like Mai or Shantae?

Shantae isn't that well known, and Nintendo wanted to promote Bayo in order to sell more copies of Bayonetta 2.

EDIT: Thought you meant Mai from Street Fighter.

Last I checked Shantae was more requested than that thot. Also Mai isn't from Street Fighter, she's from Fatal Fury.

The majority of gamers do not even know or Shantae or Mai are. Bayonetta's more well known, and Nintendo wanted to promote her game, it's that simple.