In games like Pokemon and Wrestling, the desire to follow the rules comes from wanting to remain within the confines of the law (I guess) and still wreck the other person. This forgives wrestling more than the other two because anyone can attack someone at random but beating them at "their own game" is more satisfying and (again, I guess) devastating.
In F-Zero that argument basically goes out the window when Blackshadow does things like attach bombs to Falcon's car and blow up buildings. F-Zero seems pretty lawless so I don't understand why the racers still race each other even though they all have ulterior motives.
Blackshadow is a known, wanted criminal and yet he's allowed to race in broad daylight without any law enforcement waiting for him at the finish line.