Finally, if I remember correctly, didn't Miyamoto release SMW2 against the higher ups wishes to make it more like DKC2? I remember that much clear as day because it was Miyamoto who called DKC "vapid" stating that while the graphics were top notch, the gameplay left much to be desired. It escalated to a point where he said that he didn't like what Rare was doing with Donkey Kong, but then the two dueled it out with Donkey Kong Country 2 (a MUCH stronger entry) and Yoshi's Island.
Actually, if I remember correctly, the story goes that while they wanted Miyamoto's project to get all rendered like DKC, Miyamoto decided to go an entirely different tangent, by utilizing the FX2 chip to craft the awesome pastel artstyle that we ended up getting today. Before that, YI's actually was supposed to be little more than just a "relatively slight upgrade" of SMW's graphic style, which is why the higher ups wanted him to change the art style in the first place.
It's true, "Shiggy" didn't really care for what Rare was doing, but in any case, it served as nice impetus that actually forced him to push YI forward, and utilize the FX2 chip to great avail. So, yeah, everybody was a winner, including Miyamoto, because he at least didn't have to "compromise" his vision.