Yes, older. As in the NES days
It is pretty tough, till you get the level patterns down. 6-2 was the game defining stage IMO. I could get through the game to that point in 1 life. There is a god damn eagle that infinitely respawns at one of the last jumps, but you have to time it JUST right, or it hits you and sends you plunging to your death. Outside of that, 6-3 is a walk and then it is on to the 3 boss fights, with the 2nd one (Jaquio) being the toughest.
LOVE the damn series. NG II was MUCH easier and III was the first one I beat.