Is it just me or are they really that hard to get? I've made many tries to get the gold award on Jungle Hijinx, one of the easiest places, and eventually I did.Then I tried 1-2, and I got the bronze award. Is it really that hard, or do I just suck?

It is really hard, the boss battles seem the easiest to get. 

I have found this hard as hell. I have only gotten the first 3

Silver and Bronze are actually easy to accomplish.

this medals system add so much replay value to the game . I am loving it (though it is really hard)

It really does, makes me so much better at the game and the controls are easier to get use to if you try to get those medals.

ya its pretty tough

Man I only play like half an hour to an hour a day but I've just reached the caves. This game is ultra difficult and getting Gold is even harder. I guess when I finally finish the game I'll go back and try to get Golds.

If you think Gold is bad, there is a rank above it called "Shiny Gold". The game doesn't tell you the requirements for it, but from what I read it's basically beat the Gold Time by a decent margin. I've only got three of those myself. =P

It is mind blowing hard.