head to head
Neither is meaningfully harder - they pose close to the same test. The widest gap is execution, and it is a single point.

Execution · Pure Mechanics
Capcom's infamously punishing arcade platformer that makes you beat it twice for the real ending.

Execution · Practiced Mastery
A neo-noir one-hit-kill action platformer about planning and replaying perfect assassinations.
Ghosts 'n Goblins leans Execution (Pure Mechanics); Katana ZERO leans Execution (Practiced Mastery).
Ghosts 'n Goblins leans a little harder on execution, though the gap is small.
Ghosts 'n Goblins
Committed jumps and pixel-precise throws, no mercy
Katana ZERO
One-hit-death slashing and deflects demand precision
Same score on reads - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Ghosts 'n Goblins
Enemy spawns are scripted
Katana ZERO
Enemies follow fixed placements and behaviours
Same score on variance - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Ghosts 'n Goblins
Red Arremer movement adds slight noise
Katana ZERO
Rooms are identical on every attempt
Same score on optimization - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Ghosts 'n Goblins
Weapon choice and route memorisation are mandatory
Katana ZERO
Planning the perfect room-clear sequence
A matching score does not mean a matching test. Two games can both sit at 10 on execution and demand completely different things of you - which is why the reasoning above matters more than the number beside it.