Really? I just found it unbalanced. I enjoyed it, but really, it wasn't as well designed as the first.
I mean it had multiple party members, but they were basically useless by the end game.
EDIT: Wait, did you first play it on the GBC? They fixed the issues on that version, but made it too easy.
Nah, I've only played on the nes. It was tougher than the first, but that's what actually made me enjoy it more. That, and actually having a party rather than just the hero.