Apple // version myself.

You don't remember it being difficult?

I don't think it was *that* difficult. Also, I'm pretty sure the PC version only gave you 60 minutes, so there might be less friendly controls in this one. It's a hard game to win, but this guy had never gone past level 3?

Also I don't remember some of those mid-bosses. The conveyor belt doesn't ring a bell but that might just be a hazy memory.

...okay, wikipedia confirmed:
"The SNES version is also unique. Aside from graphic and aural enhancements, the game has twenty levels instead of the original's thirteen; the original levels that remain have some extra rooms or different routes. Also, there are boss battles that involve not only swordfighting but dodging as well. The player is given two hours to rescue the Princess (all other versions are limited to one hour). The prologue is also different, showing the protagonist courting the Princess, then being arrested and beaten. The scene of the protagonist being beaten is only available on the Japanese version of the game;[7] it was censored in the North American and European versions. The SNES version was ported and developed by Nihon Computer System and published by Konami in North America and Europe."

So yeah, it might be a little ramped up in difficulty.