'Super Ghouls and Ghosts', 'Contra', 'Battletoads', and 'Ikaruga' come to mind, only beaten 'Battletoads' and 'Ikaruga'.
As for recent games, none are all too difficult. Had trouble with Ninja Gaiden, but once I got used to it, it wasn't that bad. Too bad I had to give it back right after that...