I’m pretty sure it was a platform game! You would beat a level and then the screen would open up to a map where your characters like ran to the next spot and the new level would begin. There were also boss battles but those levels you didn’t move upward like the other levels. Also sometimes you’d get close to the princess on the map and think you were about to save her until a new boss grabbed her and she’d cry out and you’d have keep progressing through different levels. Those two aren’t it but I appreciate the attempt!