A wonderful game in its own right, and a heartwarming love letter to all things Sega. Rent A Hero No.1 is pure joy in GD-ROM form: kimimithegameeatingshemonster.com/2020/07/22/h...
The original Mega Drive Rent A Hero was Sega's first attempt at making players perform a bizarre fictional job in a genre that didn't exist yet at a time when nobody was aching for a menial employment...
I'd tried playing this a while back, but I was having trouble with the combat. Perhaps I'll give it another shot in the near future. Also, since you posted this article, SpikeOut DOES have a home port now thanks to Yakuza 8!
Funny you mention Rent A Hero: Right now I'm working on finishing my 4th Gen New Jack Swing music playlist, and the MD game makes an appearance! www.youtube.com/watch?v=I52X...
YouTube video by SEGA 16-bit OST