Hahaha yessss, this is great! I couldn't have thought of a better one than Pinsir, myself. Still have yet to beat the game a first time, but it's been a blast so far!
As for suggestions? Mole Knight seems simple enough-- either Drilbur or Excadrill-- but I've got Propeller Knight's stage theme stuck in my head, and the thought occurs... would Gallade work?
Oh, and maybe Tinker Knight can be a Cubone who pilots a modified Rhyperior