I've never understood the need to transform certain brands. With games like Metroid and Zelda, it makes some sense to evolve the main character to keep up with the times.
The fighting is from a detached camera angle that shows you both characters as you wander around the stage, which is usually a fairly square patch of ground, littered with various breakable objects.
Here's a great example of 'just another extreme sports game.' Join up with Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Pete, and Chip & Dale on a not-so-wide array of courses that'll put your fingers to the test with difficult controls and mind-numbing action!