These game types were meant for all viewers, or to used as iconic images.
If Kirby or Mario on screen sprites was the equal of their USA forms, I doubt they would have lasted so long.
A great example of this is "Street Fighter the movie game". While Vega ( Bison ) was played by a famous actor, his character was no where near striking as the real Vega.
He looks more like the Vega rip-off in Gunstar heroes.