Also have to take into account that the early 8-bit systems from Japan were often marketed towards children in the US. They would ramp up the difficulty of games - which were usually too expensive for kids to purchase on their own - to bring more longevity and perceived value. Games were viewed as expensive at a time where “Kill your television” was a common mantra, when parents wanted their kids playing outside as much as possible, and the consequences of Reagonomics was coming into full effect.
So Nintendo played it safe for a very long time (even more than they do now) and still got a lot of pushback and flack from conservative parents.
My friends are well aware of my antics. I tend to wander off or get distracted by the scenery or interesting things. But I’m good at figuring things out and any sort of combat so they usually grab me for things involving that.
Playing with new people in a clan for a serious FPS game made me realize I probably drive anyone else crazy.