Playing classicvanias with cheats on really isn't something I'd condemn, especially on a first playthrough. While Rondo isn't really among them, there are classicvanias where, unless you manage to develop near perfect control and reflexes they just aren't beatable without cheats.
For me, Castlevania Chronicles, Castlevania Dracula X SNES (best ending, at least), The Castlevania Adventure, and Belmont's Revenge are thoroughly in that category of crushingly hard playthroughs that I always end up seeming to need cheats to beat no matter how good I seem to get.
Rondo isn't exactly one of the best entries in the series -- a lot of its reputation had been built up in that 14 year gap wherein it was extremely difficult to obtain; almost impossible in fact. It did do several new things, such as bringing voiced cutscenes to the series (however badly animated they were). Honestly though, the most important thing it actually did (that some other game couldn't have done) was that it laid the foundation for the plot of Symphony of the Night.
It's a fun game, and a very smooth experience. I advise people play it because they will probably enjoy it.
I just think it's a very average entry when you take the series as a whole.