Wait, wait, wait.
What's wrong with Painkiller? Given I have the 3 pack and redemption.
I've never gotten through the Forest of Illusion(s?) in Super Mario World, and not for lack of trying. I watched a video at some point on how to do it, but I haven't played it since, and this has ALWAYS bugged me.
Also, this isn't so much a sin as an annoyance to those around me, but I never had trouble with the Water Temple in OoT, but never managed to help my friends through it when they asked. Not that I didn't want to, just preferred playing multiplayer when I was around.
Edit: Also, I didn't own an NES, but I was young and played my uncle's a lot.