Rent-A-Hero

Infobox VG| title = Rent-A-Hero


developer = Sega-AM2
publisher = Sega
designer =
engine =
released = vgrelease|JP=September 20, 1991
genre = console role-playing game
modes = Single player
ratings =
platforms = Mega Drive/Genesis, Virtual Console
media = Cartridge
producer = Yu Suzuki
input = Mega Drive/Genesis controller

Rent-A-Hero is a top-down console role-playing game series released for the Sega Mega Drive in 1991 with a large emphasis on humor. The game features the same graphic engine previously used in the development of Phantasy Star III. However, Rent-A-Hero has an unusual innovation for the genre. Instead of using standard turn-based battles, fights are in a similar format to 2-D fighting games.

Character

Taro Yamada, or nihongo|Rent-A-Hero |レンタヒーロー|Renta Hīrō lives in the town of Corja in Japan with his mother, eccentric father and younger sister Alyssa, the family moved there after his father changed jobs, he received his Combat Armor by accident during their house-warming party, when he ordered pizza from 'Sensational Cafeteria' or SECA and instead received the suit, after realizing the suit gave him incredible strength and that he is required to pay for the armor, Taro decides to become a hero for hire, performing various heroic tasks and odd-jobs for the townspeople of Corja.

Remake

Rent-A-Hero No. 1

Infobox VG| title = Rent-A-Hero No. 1


developer = Sega
publisher = Sega (Dreamcast) AIA Games (Xbox)
designer =
engine =
released = flagicon|Japan May 25, 2000 (Dreamcast) flagicon|Japan September 4, 2003 (Xbox)
genre = RPG
modes = Single player
ratings =
platforms = Dreamcast, Xbox
media =
producer =
input = Rent-A-Hero No. 1, a remake of the original Mega Drive game, was released for the Dreamcast in 2000. It features similar events to Rent-A-Hero, this time adding Rent-A-Hiroko, a female counter-part of Taro. The fighting engine used for the game is the same used for Sega's Spikeout games and allows the player to receive hints via in-game email.

The game was enhanced and given online capabilities by "Coolnet Entertainment" and "AIA Games" for the Xbox in 2003, and also translated into English for a North American release in what would have been the first Rent-A-Hero overseas release. However, the English version of the game was never released due to distribution problems, and the Xbox version remained only in Japan as it had previously happened with the original Dreamcast version.

UFO Catcher was made available over the internet, created to promote the Japanese release of Rent-A-Hero No. 1. it is based on the crane/grabber machines (UFO) often seen in Arcades with two modes, Practice, which allows the player to guide the crane's radar, and Challenge, which does not.

Other media

Taro is available in Fighters Megamix as an unlockable character. Rent-A-Hero is one of few characters to use projectile attacks, and is one of the strongest fighters. However, he has an additional handic
Shenmue and Shenmue II, alongside virtually every other Sega character and game.