Now, for those that can't get enough of Ghosts n' Goblins, I would invite you to follow Bea's suggestion and try Makai-Mura on the Famicom. Those that 'love' the ghosts and blue birds will definitely be pleased with this version, hehe.

Makaimura is a blast. So fun for those who love a slightly challenging game.

Does alcohol help alleviate the symptoms at all?

One shot of 120 proof rum makes them steadier for maybe 2, 3 hours. Then they get worse than normal.
Two shots and I have as much eye-hand coordination as I am predicted to have when I am 50 years old, or 60% less eye-hand coordination.
It sucks a bit, because I can no longer play Punch Out! in a competitive level as I can't do frame perfect inputs anymore, but for games like GnG I should remain pretty decent at for the next 4 or so years at least, so it is all good.
Life handed me these cards, so I try to play them the best I can.
 

It's actually you going up to the top floor on the right side of the house. I've even made it spawn by jumping over a bird on the second level and since I came close to the top level it spawned. You can get the armor on the top floor without spawning the flame.

I think it's actually climbing up, down, or even jumping into the, last ladder

 

Yeah jumping into it will also make it spawn I learned when trying to avoid one of those damn birds.