In order to get alternate coloring for the characters, hold down the attack button when switching characters.
In 2 players mode, you can turn yourself or the other player into a Vase that circles the remaining character by pressing A+ L + R at the same time. This way you can go through the levels without injuring the other player.
While in the first person Impact battles, whenever your energy is below 50 points, press Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right and X. If done right, you'll perform a hidden move in which Impact will take out his pipe and throw a powerful bomb.
Collect all the Cat Statues in the game and at the end, you'll face an extra last boss and get an alternative ending. There are 20 in the Overworld and 4 in each stage, for a total of 44 Cat Statues.