In honor of Father’s Day 2024 coming this weekend, this is a review of one of our favorite games that we played together. I miss you dad.
SEGA’s Jet Set Radio Future is a roller-skating action game about underground crews rebelling against an evil mayor’s police force, and battling each other for turf in futuristic Tokyo. It originally launched in 2002.
Players join a crew, and explore various regions of this futuristic world. You fight against rival gangs and mysterious individuals in a range of competitions, from outright races to graffiti wars. Many of these modes also appear in multiplayer.
You’ll use graffiti art to both mark your territory and attack enemies. You can even design your own custom tag. Unsurprisingly, SEGA does issue a statement about graffiti as an art, versus graffiti as a crime, every time you launch the game.
There is an innate rebellious nature in Jet Set Radio Future that perfectly connected with the culture of its era, but still resonates today. It very distinctly influenced 2023’s smash hit Bomb Rush Cyberfunk.
In fact, SEGA recently announced something new for the Jet Set series in its Power Surge trailer from The Game Awards 2023:
I first played JSRF as part of the original Xbox bundle, where it appeared on the same disc as Sega GT 2002. But JSRF didn’t need a bundle to appeal to me, and I’m deeply thankful it was my first Xbox game.
To begin with, the skating alone was smooth and satisfying enough. Removing all other aspects of the game, it undeniably succeeds as a sports title.
Performing tricks, building speed, and timing your boosts is naturally woven into other mechanics and the narrative itself. The levels are also deeply interactive, with countless hidden nooks, walls, rails, ramps, billboards, and creative layouts.
This made simple exploration rewarding on its own. It was always fun to push the boundaries of an area, searching for impossible access points and hidden collectibles like the Graffiti Souls. It also encouraged players to build extensive movement skills for bosses and competitive modes.
Next up, the visuals. That cel-shaded look is iconic, and it fits the futuristic, underground tone of the game. But the designs of future Tokyo and its characters are also wildly imaginative.
The world also borrows some aspects of 80’s culture. It features gorgeous graffiti, and crews with over-the-top style and unique dance moves.
Jet Set Radio Future still boasts my favorite video game soundtrack of all time. It has the obscure and the experimental, techno sounds with some bizarre vocals, and other tastes of the unusual. It legitimately understands real sports culture. They’re also just plain fun to listen to, and I still do.
The multiplayer modes (with glorious split-screen) offer a strong range of interesting locations, modes, and characters.
Most of the roster of available characters play quite differently, encouraging you to unlock secret additions via story mode. These modes also tie into the story, and Ball Hog/Death Ball is a particular highlight. Its gameplay and energy nod to classic futurist movies like Rollerball and Running Man.
Final Thoughts
The epic personality, sincerity, and ambition of Jet Set Radio Future cannot be overstated. Every aspect of this game is bold and innovative, and a natural evolution from its predecessor. This thing fires on all cylinders with unapologetic attitude, undeniable and effortless style, memorable characters, inventive levels, and classic music. Without hesitation, I’m pleased to give this the second perfect score on LBR.
Score: 10/10
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