I keep thinking that the running-across-the-walls trick is a ripoff of Prince of Persia: Sands of Time. I don't remember who or what did it first, but PoP:SoT was the first game I noticed wall running. No, not wall riding in Tony Hawk games. But running across walls is cool. Actually, Prince of Persia: Sands of Time is mostly acrobatics, give that a try.
Well, for wall kicking, Super Metroid did it wonderfully.
Maybe wall kicking is satisfying for that kicking noise and the "WAH! YAH!" sound. Smash Bros. Melee also had wall kicking (play Target Test with Young Link, you'll see), I just almost never used it.