Jet Set Radio

About Jet Set Radio

Jet Set Radio HD brings Sega's cult classic from 2000 to modern consoles like PS3, Xbox 360, PC, Vita, and mobile devices. BlitWorks handled the remaster for a September 2012 release on digital storefronts. This arcade platformer follows the GGs as they skate through Tokyo-to, tagging graffiti while dodging police led by Captain Onishima. The story involves rival gangs like the Love Shockers and Noise Tanks fighting over territory. It captures the original's bold art style and soundtrack without major changes. Many people know the title but rarely played it on Dreamcast. This version finally lets a wider audience see what the hype was about years after the sequel released.

Gameplay

You control inline skaters moving through open urban areas to spray graffiti on designated spots within time limits. The core loop involves grinding rails, jumping off walls, and pulling off tricks to build style meters before tagging specific objects. You switch between characters like Beat and Gum to tackle different map sections or unlock new moves. Turf wars force you to compete against rival gangs in set arenas where the last team standing wins. Controls feel loose compared to modern precision platformers, often leading to missed jumps or awkward turns. The camera struggles with tight corners and fast movements, causing disorientation during combat sequences. Sessions focus on learning shortcuts and mastering the momentum system rather than precise aiming.

What Players Think

The data shows a divided reception among players who actually finished this version. IGDB lists a score of 76.7 out of 100 based on 52 ratings, reflecting mixed feelings about the remaster quality. Average playtime hovers around 8 hours for main story completion, with some users spending extra time hunting for hidden graffiti tags. Community moods swing between nostalgic appreciation and frustration over technical issues. Review snippets frequently mention the visual style remaining sharp while the controls feel dated. Completion rates suggest many players quit due to camera problems or difficulty spikes in later levels. The game holds a higher reputation among retro enthusiasts than casual gamers, with fewer users reporting full satisfaction compared to the original Dreamcast era releases.

PlayPile's Take

This title works best if you want to see the art style and hear the music without hunting down old hardware. The price on digital stores varies but usually sits low for a budget remaster. There are no significant achievement lists tied to specific gameplay feats beyond standard progression milestones. Be prepared for controls that feel floaty and camera angles that fight your movement. It is not a polished modern experience but serves as a time capsule of early 2000s arcade design. If you can ignore the technical flaws, you get a unique skating game with a distinct personality. The main reward is finishing the story and seeing how the narrative resolves regarding the Rokkaku group.

Storyline

DJ Professor K broadcasts the Jet Set Radio pirate radio station to gangs of youths who roam Tokyo-to, skating and spraying graffiti. One gang, the GGs, competes for turf with the all-female Love Shockers in the shopping districts of Shibuya-Cho, the cyborg Noise Tanks in the Benten entertainment district, and the kaiju-loving Poison Jam in the Kogane dockyard. The authorities, led by Captain Onishima, pursue the gangs with riot police and military armaments. After the GGs defeat Poison Jam, Noise Tanks, and Love Shockers in turf wars, they each drop a piece of a mysterious vinyl record. Professor K says that the mysterious vinyl has the power to summon a demon. The GGs are joined by Combo and Cube, who explain that their hometown, Grind City, has been overtaken by the Rokkaku business conglomerate. They ask the GGs to help them to free their friend, Coin, who has been captured by the Rokkaku. The Rokkaku pursue the GGs and steal the vinyl record. Poison Jam explains that the Rokkaku CEO, Goji Rokkaku, plans to use the record to make a contract with the demon and take over the world. The GGs defeat Goji in the rooftop of his headquarters by destroying his turntable. Freedom is returned to the streets of Tokyo-to. Combo reveals that The Devil's Contract was an old record with no demonic powers and that wealth had driven Goji to insanity.