Zelda II: The Adventure of Link/Barba
From Red Candle
Spawn forcing
Which hole Barba rises out of is random in general, but as it turns out, if you hold right from the instant you spawn on screen, and keep moving right until the boss battle triggers, Barba will always spawn on the right side the first time.
Jackhammer
Zelda II runner Carapace has put together a Guide to Jackhammer Barba, explaining just how to use the downward thrust attack to take care of the Palace 6 boss quickly.
The details may be different for the Japanese version, as Barba/Volvagia is taller there, but the principles are the same (and you even get a ledge on the left in the FDS Zelda II).