I know how you feel, I almost threw my WiiU controller on the Final boss of Kirby's Adventure last weekend. I'm not sure if it's the Virtual Console or how it was on the NES but the slow down that goes on in those later levels can kill you.
I think the lower quality in summer of arcade is due to Microsoft making tons of other promotions like Game Feast have spread their blockbusters thin. Now with Sony competing they maybe just be trying to find a sweeter spot to sell games.