I feel like there should be some in-between for the ugly plumber used in this game and the NOTMario used in the first game. The sprite in the corner of the bottom of the screen with its hat down looks good really, maybe go for something like that next time.
In general a really great game. I wish there was a tutorial or instructions screen explaining the different powers and what was one use and multiple use but thats a minor quibble. The gag with the final boss is genuinely clever and somehow better than the first (which was already great). Hoping for a part 3.