their stances are that weird because I wanted to have the full body and limbs visible, for when/if I'm going to animate them. So in a game that particular frame would not be used anywhere.

Yeah, I've always imagined it was a pipe. It IS after all a Mario clone, let's just face it. Agree that it looks kinda different than the other stuff. Good call

Yeah, it's kinda ironic that Nintendo is releasing an official remake, but at least Armin Gessert part of the team, so hopefully it'll be a good sequel, not like Hard'n'Heavy (not saying it was bad, but it hadn't the same feel to me)

Anyways, i really like the style of those, although Giana's and Maria's stance looks a bit awkward, like something invisible is pulling their arms back.

Also, the mushrooms and the pipe(that is a pipe, right? I could never tell...) are a bit clashing with the clean style you've got on the blocks, maybe less dithering would work...

I like them all, specially the foes.

Maybe you can show the other hand of the characters like you shown the feet.