Wizards & Warriors (NES, 1987)

-Some interesting gear (boots of force - open locked chests without the key+kick enemies (can be used at the same time as the dagger, some enemies are only vulnerable to these), semi-flight/hover upwards a bit via the potion of levitation (kinda like a double jump), glide jump via the feather, shield - auto-blocks some projectiles, cloak - reduce damage from bosses but harder to see your avatar and the effect wears off after some time (can be toggled), horn - shows nearby hidden doors, boots of lava - walk on lava and stand on fire pillars). 

-Items carry over between levels and are kept after dying or continuing, however the rightmost inventory item is called a special item (these are the boots of force, wand, cloak, lava boots, and horn) and it's replaced by the next one you pick up so you need to memorize where these are if you want control over which one you're carrying and when. One other exception exists which is the sub weapon (the axe replaces the dagger)

-No save feature but you have unlimited continues and respawn on the spot even after using a continue (Castlevania; lose only your score and your sub weapon upgrades)
-The levitation potion, feather and blue potion are necessary for completion and the first two are missable but can be found in more than one level
-No maps
-Sub weapons (throwing dagger and axe (stronger but only found in level 3) - both act like a boomerang and you can grab items with them (Zelda 1), fire staff - spread shot, ice staff - temporarily freezes enemies (can't stand on them)) - Castlevania
-Temporary high jump potion (pink) and speed+longer jump potion (blue) - these respawn a few seconds after running out. 
-Temporarily upgradeable range on the dagger and axe sub weapons (up to two times) as well as rate of fire for the axe (2 at a time)
-Locked chests and doors (color coded - later used in Doom)

-Frequently respawning enemies (Starquake, Antiriad) besides in the hidden diamond-filled rooms
-No death pits
-Stop watch power up (freezes enemies; Zelda 1?) and smart bomb power up (eggs; these trigger when touched though)
-Upgradeable lifebar but only one life and no continues in the JP version