"But how is it even possible to die on 64?" you ask. Apparently if you have the running shoes equipped, you can accidentally propel yourself up through the "stairstep" on the side with an ill-timed bomb, and fall off the bottom of the screen.

My second life lasted until 84, and I think I had about 14 extra stocked up for a long time.

That auspicious start, combined with several lucky level-skipping items in the 80s and 90s got me to Tuber with... one extra life. XD Alas.
That's all for my French Gon Ga Jora games, so it's time to start trying on this server! I have

Thanks for the advice, unix and 30191.

And congrats, CarrotSticks! (Wait... by golden slug, do you mean one of these?)