aren't there infinite continues in the console ports?
I didn't have a hard time beating this one. Cleared it on the first attemp and used maybe like 7 credits. Now I get through with like 4 or 5. Will pop it in my Saturn tonight and check if I notice any combat strategies I might have been using.
Also, with the fighter, make sure you pick up a 2nd sword for quasi infinite windmill slashes

EDIT : I've been playing on default difficulty. Maybe the version you're playing has a harder default difficulty.