Forgotten Games: Rent-A-Hero - Segadrunk

[@pauljensen519]

The ROM patch is based on my translation of the game. Glad to hear you liked the jokes! It took a lot of effort to localize them due to their sheer number, but I was pretty proud of the results. The humor and all the great Sega references made it a real pleasure to work on. Nice to see this game getting some love. Edit: Thanks for all the likes!

[@CarletonTorpin]

Thank you for putting in translation work. :)

[@CeeJayThe13th]

That's pretty cool!

[@TheLakabanzaichrg]

Great work Mr Jensen!

[@dexocube]

You fan translators are real heroes. Some of my favourite games I ever played were fan translated.

[@drgribb]

Thanks so much for continuing to put these fan translations out. It's amazing that we in English-speaking countries can still have "new" experiences on these systems even today (not including homebrew/retro-development). I'm sure this one was especially a doozy to translate and localize, given all of the specific references to early-90s Japanese culture in the game. Many many thanks for your hard work.

[@mosespray9562]

Order some food but they accidentally send a suit that transforms u into a superhero 🦸‍♂️. I hate when that happens.

[@kevynhansyn2902]

Especially when you order pineapple on your pizza. Those bastards always hate those that order Pineapple on pizza. So instead, here's a super hero suit.

[@rickpgriffin]

At this point, I've had some food delivery screwups so bad I wouldn't be surprised if that happened

[@cvrator]

I worked for Domino's Pizza for 14 years and Pizza Hut for 6 before that. You'd be surprised at how common this occurrence was.

[@anactualbear5683]

Hijinks ensue...

[@jessicastoker8932]

I wonder if this was a punny Japanese joke that just doesn't quite make sense to others? Like, is the Japanese words related to specific kinds of delivery/take-out food somehow similar to this super suit? These are the kinds of things I think about... like how Gradius is a mistranlation of the type of sword, Gladius.

[@fireflocs]

This game actually got acknowledged in a recent Sega game! In Yakuza 7, there's a whole series of side quests where the main character gets employed by a company run by the main character from this game, and works directly under him.

[@SirRickTheNick]

I LOVED Yakuza 7, and it was my first Yakuza game, and this immediately me made me think of Part-Time Hero. I had no idea it was based off of an older Sega game. That's awesome!

[@Gatorade69]

I feel a modern remake of this game would be great, make it kind of over the top and funny like the Yakuza games.

[@MidlifeCrisisJoe]

I was wondering why the name sounded familiar but you're totally correct. The Rent A Hero substories were a thing in Like A Dragon, weren't they. Man I gotta go back and finish the second run of that game to get that last achievement for the true ultimate millennium tower or whatever its called.

[@cius2112]

Fun fact: Toshiro Nagoshi, the creator of the Yakuza series (for those who don't know) worked on Rent A Hero as a designer with Yu Suzuki (Shenmue).

[@gpl992]

​@@Gatorade69There already was a modern remake on the Dreamcast!It just came out with an English patch too since it wasnt released in the West!

[@lhfirex]

This seems like a 16 bit precursor to the crazy side stuff in Yakuza games.

[@magiman2382]

It makes sense, I’m playing Yakuza 7 and theres a whole rent a hero missions where you earn rare items and cash by helping people, collecting items or fight specific enemies to clear missions. plus they add a single soundtrack from this game I think?

[@arostwocents]

There's a Dreamcast sequel I think?

[@cius2112]

Toshiro Nagoshi actually worked on this as a designer with Yu Suzuki.

[@gr8gmr]

You can also say it's like the distant cousin to Shenmue (both being open world action games made by Yu Suzuki).

[@ZEKESPILLEDINKMUSIC]

I found out about this character via Fighters Megamix on the Sega Saturn. He was one of the secret fighters in the roster.

[@Hektols]

His moveset was a bit limited compared to other characters but he was one of the strongest of the rooster due to his range attacks, he also had batteries and when he ran out of them he lost the armor and several moves.

[@KaskelotenZebbe]

Lovely game thanks to its humour, setting, story and music. My favourite joke was when a man told you to ask his brother if he had a license to sell sausages because he always forgot to zip his pants. You can also play as Rent A Hero in Fighters Megamix on Saturn and there was even a stage play based on the game some years ago.

[@MaidenHell1977]

Woh!

[@MerkhVision]

That’s actually really funny lol

[@chemergency]

This would have to be the Mega Drive's closest analogue to Earthbound on SNES.

[@gr8gmr]

And just to think, both series would become more known through their companies' crossover fighting games (Ness appearing Super Smash Bros by Nintendo and Rent a Hero appearing in Fighters Megamix by SEGA).

[@kamen.rider.decade]

I remember R-A-H being a selectable fighter in Fighters Megamix. Of course, that game had an actual Daytona Car as a playable character, so he was one of the more "normal" choices.

[@gr8gmr]

"Normal"? He also had projectiles and a battery feature for his armor. So he had too many gimmicks to be normal.

[@UltimateOmegaRed]

4:10 Guest-starring: *SEGATA SANSHIRO!!!*

[@BluesOnAcid]

Magical Sound Shower sounds good at any bit.

[@BluesOnAcid]

@TEXT ME ON TELEGRAM@SNES drunk woooooooooowie!!!! yippie!!!!! yay!!!!! tell me more here!!!!!

[@gorqubus755]

After spending so much time watching content from you, Civvie11, and Brandon James Greer, I’ve learned so much about pixel artistry, gameplay presentation, and user friendly interface that I feel it would be a disservice for me to not tell you how much I appreciate the work you do. I’m proud to be one of your subs, keep up the good work.

[@Filmonaut]

Didn't know about the Dreamcast version. Nice to know!

[@arostwocents]

Got it downloaded and yet to try it

[@arostwocents]

The DC game is translated, it's available on Archive

[@noxturne16]

this game looks wacky in a fun way, i’d love to play it

[@FreaKzero]

The upgraded Version of Rent a Hero for the Dreamcast is even more awesome By now there are even Langugage Hacks for English for it!

[@thenostalgiafactor5023]

Total length of video: 320 secs. Total length of "SEGA Drunk": 3.5 secs. 1.09% of the video was spent listening to "SEGA Drunk".

[@Feelthefelt]

You just uncovered a lost memory about me trying to play Sword of Vermillion and failing as a kid. That was one of the first Genesis games I had.

[@orinanime]

You wake up in the hospital with only half your money gone.... Instead of all of your money gone, in the negative, in debt.... Well now... That's honestly the most unbelievable part of this game LOL

[@nickdirienzo2849]

"Sega does, a doodoo on Nintentdo's mom's chest and grounds Nintendo! Drunk on its unearned parental authority and liquor!"

[@mgarcar1255]

I remember rent-a-hero being a hidden character in fighters megamix on the saturn. I always thought it was just a joke character they threw in to pad the roster lol

[@yuzucrypt]

shit, THAT'S why the name is so familiar.

[@starlightrevenant]

I remember this version but I actually played the Dreamcast remake Rent-A-Hero No. 1 which it's Xbox port was going to have an English version, but cancelled. Also SECA actually means Super Energy Combat Armor as per that aforementioned remake. Edit: The Dreamcast version also got an English patch recently, inspired by translation of the Xbox port

[@phattjohnson]

The cancelled Xbox port was mentioned in the video! Someone only read the headlines..

[@totemlordreviews7242]

The fact that you fight your drunken dad while he's in a Godzilla suit has me wishing they released it here in the states 🤣🤣🤣

[@theamazingpuggsy387]

Rent a Hero no.1 got an english patch for the dreamcast version

[@SK-my6gh]

With great delivery comes great responsibility. Thank you for the video. Sega has such a great collection of odd games.

[@JohnnyBurnes]

Modern gritty remake: You wear the supersuit you stole from your neighbor's Amazon delivery, but have to avoid the police and eventually the National Guard because you were caught on their Ring Camera.

[@CarletonTorpin]

Alternative title: “What It Would Look Like if Sega Made Earthbound”

[@seamusboucher383]

This game was made 3 years before that one.

[@CarletonTorpin]

@@seamusboucher383 But... but... Was it made 3 years before NES' Mother? :D

[@seamusboucher383]

@@CarletonTorpin It was made 2 years after.

[@CarletonTorpin]

@@seamusboucher383 "Rent a Hero" was published in Japan in 1991, and "Mother" was published in Japan in 1989, so that means you're right; Rent a Hero came out "2 years after" Mother.

[@otaking3582]

I mostly know about Rent-a-Hero through Fighters Megamix. I really wish Sega would port/rerelease that game sometime...

[@brettg1695]

Drunk uncovering the goods!

[@OuroborosChoked]

Could definitely use a modern day revival. I'm picturing something like Infamous or Prototype, only much less serious... or any of the recent Spiderman games, only less... Marvel.

[@Gatorade69]

See, I see something like Yakuza. Kind of over the top and funny with some good beat em up action.

[@gpl992]

Rent a Hero No. 1 on Sega Dreamcast.English Translation is now available too

[@mattb6522]

Good video! I recall hearing about the Dreamcast version. The Mega Drive version sounds interesting, but it is a shame that it is really clunky. It also sounds like a pretty unforgiving game with the suit's energy constantly draining. Though, I have always appreciated classic Sega coming up with weird and wild game ideas!

[@neonshadow5005]

The top down over-world and stuff looks really cool.

[@Tolbat]

Thanks for the gaming wake up video!

[@a-dashof-pepper4710]

Now I understand the Rent a Hero bit in Yakuza 7

[@jonothanthrace1530]

1:12 I love that the translators actually had a character do a wrestling commentator line, that's some good work there.

[@pauljensen519]

Translator here. Which line? I don't remember any wrestling lines, so it might be unintentional. :/

[@thunderhammerx2966]

When the rent a hero called the job line; the one answering is named Mieu, same name as a character from Phantasy Star 3. I wonder if this was worked on by the same developers; or if it was just a coincidence.

[@drgribb]

Not a coincidence. Supposed to be lots of tongue-in-cheek references to Sega and their games/systems in here, with that being one of em! Good catch

[@SPac316]

I never heard of Rent-a-Hero till his appearance on Fighters Megamix.

[@ElNietoPR]

It sounds like it was ahead of its time

[@deftones8717]

Damn… the dad getting drunk and challenging the son to a duel is unironically relatable. My dad would either want to arm wrestle, or challenge me to fight him on the front lawn. He never dressed up like Godzilla (unfortunately)…. He just wore dirty, white new balances and tight Levi’s. The best was when I woke up one night to a really weird sound, and looked up, and it was like 2 am so it was dark in the room, but I could see his silhouette, and he was pissing in the family hamper, full of our dirty clothes. He was so drunk that I guess he though it was the toilet? I don’t know bro, but that shit was weird. What’s even weirder is, I REALLY didn’t want to deal with his drunken stupidity, so I just continued to pretend I was sleeping, and let him continue pissing into the hamper. Lmao good times! We were like the Brady bunch! Anyway, I hope you enjoyed my random, depressing story. The game just unearthed that buried memory..so thanks game. 😆 But anyway, you’re the man SNES DRUNK! I hope all is well! And I hope you have a great rest of your day!

[@goranisacson2502]

... On the bright side at least you didn't get a hero suit by mistake and had people expecting you to fight criminals and people with guns, so that's one thing you got over the guy in the game?

[@jonathanlampkin6673]

That Godzilla suit gave me strong King of the monsters vibes.

[@jonathanlampkin6673]

@SNESdrunk is this you?

[@LilDeuceDeuce]

The top-down graphics remind me of 7th Saga for SNES, although that game came out a bit later

[@slamshift6927]

Hah, that Joe from Game Sack reference

[@garlicbread1107]

Fun fact, there was going to be a movie adaptation about this but its stuck in development hell

[@rcLdrcH]

I'm still waiting for someone to patch the "Dreamcast" version of "Rent a Hero No.1" because its alot of fun but really hard to get anywhere in a timely manner due to all the text.

[@PlasticCogLiquid]

That would rock, I'm surprised nobody has done it by now

[@kainemaxwell]

Someone is working on it

[@RandomHajile-j7z]

It's available now fully playable in English.

[@RandomHajile-j7z]

@@PlasticCogLiquid It's available now fully playable in English.

[@craigadderley5313]

More Segadrunk please!!!! :)

[@seyimsi]

This is a really great idea for an anime

[@Christian-rn1ur]

It's a longshot, but...Does anyone know what to do in the mission where you're supposed to find a dog? Tried talking to everyone but nothing's happening!

[@xxlee1019]

It's like a demake of Yakuza

[@raphaelfp]

What a fun and unconventional premise, never heard about this one before!

[@thecunninlynguist]

i knew of the dreamcast one...had no idea of the MD version.

[@WhispyWoods.]

What an oddly interesting game. Thanks for featuring this one.

[@gpl992]

Is it odd that this game gives me Earthbound for Genesis/MegaDrive vibes?

[@gr8gmr]

Not odd. Others have said the same thing.

[@VBrancoPT]

4:10 - 4:18 Is he fighting Segata Sanshiro?

[@whosaidthat84]

Good observation! It wouldn't surprise me if it was!

[@samconnolly8711]

Is anyone else hearing “Last Christmas” in the outro?

[@mtshark7]

Looks like an interesting game.

[@Error_4x5]

The party at the beginning sounds like one I went to in a trailer park once.

[@Cempan]

The game looks lika a pre cursor to the shemue series. Also made by the same team.

[@ManillaHeep]

Cool I gotta check this one out with the patch.

[@JunjiBurrito]

I remember waiting every day for the Xbox version of this to come out only for it to be cancelled even after it got reviewed in EGM.

[@Szokynyovics]

Please tell me I wasn't the only one who at around 2:05 read "Steve Jobs" instead of "Save, Jobs"! :D

[@Zack29810]

yeah, same here.

[@wes773105333]

I've been building a rom library for my raspberry pi. Looks like I need to add this game to it. Subscribed.

[@EidoEndy]

Always fun discovering these obscure rpg-ish games from forever ago.

[@Iciarte]

This game is awesome, algo segagaga and rent a hero 3D for Dreamcast, hidden gems

[@fylosofyk5220]

Making Tuesdays and Thursdays great again! Are you ready for some football?

[@rocko7711]

Ohh, is there any more football games to review? I love your reviews of sports games

[@TheLakabanzaichrg]

You should check the Kunio series for SFC, it's like a beat em up/rpg mix

[@AnthonyRiddle]

I haven't seen a Sega Drunk video in a whole.

[@supermustachepika]

Reminds me of some of the side quests in Yakuza Like A Dragon as you become the Rent a Hero.

[@avideogamemaster]

There is a Rent-A-Hero page on IMDB supposedly for a soon to be made movie

[@NanayaRay01]

Was he fighting Segata Sanshiro in the Dreamcast remake?

[@Davtwan]

The AM2 team worked on this? I never knew or would have guessed!

[@Ryowhosakazaki]

Better known him from Fighters Megamix.

[@MixMasterLar]

thought we were going to hear about the Dreamcast version, I totally forgot it was on Megadrive

[@RP_Williams]

Haha! That sounded like Otto (from the Simpsons) "Genesis does, man!"!

[@phillydreams25]

You had us in the first half...lol

[@saskatoonguy]

Uhhhhh..... I don't think Rent-A-Hero was forgotten. This was a huge success in Japan.

[@ianparker1]

Great video. Thorhighheels has a great video on the 3d version

[@kc5946]

Oooh man please tell me there is a translated version around for the dreamcast. Waited for the xbox one for soo long then they told me it got cancelled at EB games

[@mcswaggins4123]

The concept of this game reminds me of the Dial H for Hero comic from DC. Kinda wish Sega would make a remake or sequel of this game considering their going through a sort of renaissance.

[@lizardlord4k]

How did this never leave Japan? Given how the early 90s were and SoA's marketing you'd think this would've been right at home in the west.

[@drgribb]

Probably tough to localize. There are a lot of specific parodies and references to Japanese pop-culture and Super Sentai/Tokusatsu of the time.

[@whosaidthat84]

I believe the Dreamcast version featured the SECA Creamcast 😂

[@Dizzula]

If you use save states before the battles, this is a much more pleasant experience

[@craigfawcett-smith1287]

The music sounds very similar to Sword of Vermillion as well!

[@connorbeith3232]

To this day I still wonder what happened to the film based on this that was announced awhile back.

[@rocko7711]

Just when you think Nintendo has cornered the market on all the weird games; Sega puts out a game like this

[@MidlifeCrisisJoe]

Very cool. To be fair about the combat, I don't think I've ever played a good adventure game where the core gameplay was about puzzles and atmosphere and/or story that had a good combat system. Those old DOS Indiana Jones Adventure games had some sort basic boxing mechanic that was just OK and that was maybe the best one. It's why Monkey Island replaced sword fights with insult contests after all.

[@Sparkbomber]

Neat. Honestly, never really heard of the original, but I do think I saw the DC remake in a magazine way back.

[@krux02]

there is also this other game Rent A Hero, a point and click adventure

[@lockebeez85]

I love how all the old action/rpg games of this day have the npcs powerwalking in place. Because realism 🤔

[@rocko7711]

Please review the Desert, Urban, and Jungle games

[@CyrusBluebird]

This game has no reason to have aged this gracefully. But it did. Weird.

[@chess_poemschess]

snes drunk uploaded 3 hours ago?? don't mind if I do!

[@zerocal76]

Amigo! Please don't stop doing these reviews. You're keeping so many retro gamers and their collections going =) Would be 100% down to support you on Patreon my friend; do you have one?

[@sonrider1369]

can you try Costume Quest? it’s such a childhood memory for me

[@jaymethysell5111]

This almost makes the cut for my long list of games I want to play, but I know I will never get around to it. Almost. I think I'd rather check out the unreleased Xbox version instead. It's a great concept for a game.

[@voigthkampff3595]

Hers also a strange post To this ep ...gonna watch it over. thx!

[@SegaCDUniverse]

I have the Dreamcast one, very fun

[@TheMrMaynard]

Now if only the Dreamcast version had a translation too.. dang!

[@drgribb]

I might be mixing things up, but wasn't there some connection between Rent-a-hero and Two Crude Dudes?? The latter there is definitely one of my all-time favorite beat-em-ups.

[@drgribb]

Eh, not sure what I was smoking lol, doesn't appear to be any connection. I think I've just always thought their box arts had a similar style. Anyway, cool that Rent-a-Hero has an English patch now. It amazes me that people continue to put out new English patches for games from the 16 bit era, and that we're still able to have "new" experiences on these systems today (not including the active homebrew/retro-development scene). Much gratitude to whoever provided the translation for this one.

[@bobbynick5358]

The internet back in 91? well it was Japan... and Japan was ahead of it times like 5 or 10 years of everyone else. and there are like late 80's internet ads too, advertising "it's easy", do stocks, get airline tickets, play games etc etc,

[@wyattgelowitz5804]

Please please please do a top 13 favorite Arcade games video. Making my own cabinet and love your content and suggestions

[@SNESdrunk]

Stay tuned

[@scottnotpilgrim]

Maybe this served as inspiration for No More Heroes, definitely has a similar feel

[@JamieBainbridge]

The top-down parts look like Shadowrun