Jet Set Radio

Sega's 15-year old ode to street culture may suffer from a few dated design choices, but the skating-and-tagging title remains an enjoyable experience due to its fast action, humor, and excellent soundtrack.

Starting at €7.99Buy now

Get on Steam

Jet Set Radio is a classic action-packed game set in Tokyo-to, where you skate through levels, tagging graffiti while avoiding police. As part of the GGs gang, players must outrun rival gangs and authorities, all while keeping their crew ahead in the underground street race for turf and fame. With its unique cell-shaded graphics and punk soundtrack, Jet Set Radio delivers a thrilling and unforgettable experience.

Genres & Tags

Action

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 3,499 reviews

music625 positive mentions

grinding67 negative mentions

Incredible soundtrack featuring Hideki Naganuma and other artists, making it one of the best in gaming history.
Timeless cel-shaded graphics that still look great today, capturing a unique and vibrant aesthetic.
Fun and addictive gameplay that encourages exploration and mastery of tricks and graffiti tagging.

Controls can feel clunky and unresponsive, making it frustrating to navigate levels and perform tricks.
Camera angles can be awkward, leading to difficulty in judging jumps and movements.
The game has a steep learning curve, with some missions being overly challenging and punishing.

music
1,114 mentions
56 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The music in "Jet Set Radio" is widely praised as one of its standout features, with many reviewers highlighting the exceptional soundtrack composed by Hideki Naganuma. The eclectic mix of genres, including hip-hop, funk, and electronic dance, creates a vibrant atmosphere that enhances the gameplay experience. While some players noted that the controls can be frustrating, the infectious beats and catchy tunes keep them engaged and often lead to replaying the game just to enjoy the music.
- “The soundtrack is incredible, possibly one of the greatest in video game history, and it perfectly complements the vibrant visuals and gameplay.”
- “The music is phenomenal, hideki naganuma did a great job. It's a mix of hip-hop, j-pop, funk, and rock that keeps you engaged throughout the game.”
- “This game has one of the best soundtracks I've ever heard, with fantastic tracks that are catchy and memorable, making it a joy to play.”
- “My biggest complaint so far is it seems to only play one song in the background on a loop.”
- “Some music is fine, but I wanted to keep the music as low as possible because every track in the game is a loop that gets annoying fast and they fail to keep a variety going.”
- “The music with this terrible gameplay always gives me a headache almost instantly.”
graphics
497 mentions
49 % positive mentions
49 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The graphics of Jet Set Radio are widely praised for their vibrant cel-shaded art style, which has aged remarkably well since its 2000 release, maintaining a unique charm that continues to captivate players. The game's colorful visuals and artistic design effectively complement its energetic soundtrack, creating a nostalgic yet timeless aesthetic that stands out in the gaming landscape. While some players note that certain graphical elements may appear dated, the overall presentation remains a highlight, showcasing the game's innovative approach to visual storytelling.
- “The cel-shaded graphics are great and have been copied in many other games since.”
- “The art style is timeless; the use of cel shading makes the game look good even by today's standards.”
- “Jet Set Radio boasts a gorgeous cel-shaded art style that has aged surprisingly well thanks to the HD boost and an intermixing of primary colors that blend well together.”
- “The graphics are incredibly dated, but with a certain charm to them.”
- “Now for the major disappointment and basically a big f you to the original game is that the graphics look like a shitty unity remake that would have been released prior to the original game in 2000, and this was released 12 years later in 2012!!”
- “The graphics although decent could have been done better considering that it's a PC port.”
gameplay
473 mentions
38 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Jet Set Radio is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating its unique mechanics and vibrant style, while others criticize its dated controls and clunky execution. While the core experience of skating, tagging, and evading police can be fun and rewarding, it often feels frustrating due to imprecise controls and a lack of clear mechanics. Overall, the game is celebrated for its artistic presentation and soundtrack, but players should be prepared for some gameplay challenges that come with its age.
- “The gameplay is fun and funky.”
- “The gameplay feels just right; grinding rails, flips, and tricks feel amazing.”
- “The gameplay is fantastic, very fast and rewarding when you get skilled with it.”
- “The controls are abhorrent, the gameplay is clunky and boring, and there really is no need to torture yourself.”
- “Unfortunately, the actual gameplay is just... awful.”
- “The gameplay is so dated and clunky that it's nearly impossible to play proficiently.”
story
289 mentions
27 % positive mentions
69 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The story of "Jet Set Radio" is characterized as simple yet engaging, revolving around a group of graffiti-tagging youths in a stylized Tokyo battling against rival gangs and authority figures. While some players find the narrative lacking depth, the vibrant characters, humorous dialogue, and DJ Professor K's energetic commentary add charm and personality to the experience. Overall, the story serves as a fun backdrop to the game's unique gameplay and aesthetic, though it may not be the primary draw for all players.
- “The story is quirky and fun, filled with humorous and witty lines, spoken from the mouth of DJ Professor K.”
- “The main story has strong anti-establishment themes, as you play as a gang member in Tokyo spraying graffiti on everything.”
- “The story is simple, but it rounds out the game a bit with some lore, making it a fun addition to the overall experience.”
- “The game's story is simple, nothing notable in the least and most of the time gets overshadowed by the humorous and lighthearted dialogue in the cutscenes.”
- “The story is really basic, and without DJ Professor K it would suck.”
- “The story is short and makes replaying the game a breeze.”
grinding
68 mentions
1 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
99 % negative mentions
The grinding mechanics in the game are a mixed bag, with some players enjoying the automatic nature of grinding and the satisfaction of chaining tricks, while others find the controls clunky and finicky, leading to frustrating gameplay. Many reviews highlight the learning curve required to master the grinding system, which can feel tedious and inconsistent, especially when trying to maintain speed or land accurately on rails. Overall, while grinding can be fun and rewarding once mastered, it is often marred by control issues and repetitive mission structures.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The grinding mechanics stink because you have to land the blades perfectly in the center of the rails.”
- “It takes a while to get used to the game's unorthodox gameplay and grinding mechanics, and until you do, you're going to struggle through the story missions.”
- “Its not easy to accelerate when grinding unlike in Jet Set Radio Future, and it's even difficult to land on the railing you're aiming for.”
humor
40 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its charm and over-the-top exaggeration, particularly in its portrayal of characters and situations, such as the absurd reactions of the police to graffiti. Players appreciate the witty dialogue, funny storylines, and the quirky art style, which contribute to an overall lighthearted and entertaining experience. The game's humor, often reminiscent of "Family Guy" moments, is complemented by a catchy soundtrack, making it a delightful choice for fans of comedic gaming.
- “The humor in this game is top notch, the dialogue is hilarious and quirky.”
- “It's hilarious how over the top the police's reaction to graffiti is.”
- “The game's story is simple, nothing notable in the least and most of the time gets overshadowed by the humorous and lighthearted dialogue in the cutscenes.”
replayability
29 mentions
48 % positive mentions
41 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, with players enjoying the blend of engaging gameplay, unlockable content, and a ranking system that encourages repeated playthroughs. Despite its relatively short story mode, the variety of challenges, collectibles, and the ability to replay levels with different characters contribute to a satisfying experience that keeps players coming back. The game's unique art style and memorable soundtrack further enhance its replay value, making it a standout title in terms of longevity.
- “Neat little game with one of the best blends of art style, music, characters, and gameplay that I've experienced so far, as well as a ton of replay value if you get used to the controls and mechanics.”
- “These end up feeling exciting not only because you're being taught about so many things that were always there that you probably just didn't know about, but it all links back into making replaying those stages later all the more satisfying as you once again get to entirely redefine your route with these new tricks and passages in mind, feeding into the remarkable replayability that the game has.”
- “The gameplay is fun and there's a ton of unlockable content for replayability.”
- “There's decent replayability as well; 100% completing this game was a thoroughly enjoyable experience.”
- “Graphics look good for being from the 2000s, the soundtrack is worth listening to, and even though the game is relatively short, its replayability is strong.”
- “The story lasts for about 8-9 hours, and the game still has some replayability with extra areas after the end game credits.”
atmosphere
28 mentions
61 % positive mentions
29 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of Jet Set Radio is widely praised for its vibrant, funky aesthetic and nostalgic soundtrack, creating an engaging and unique experience that immerses players in its stylized urban environment. While the game's art style and music are celebrated, some players find the clunky controls and level design detract from the overall enjoyment, leading to mixed feelings about the gameplay experience. Ultimately, the game's atmosphere is a defining feature that resonates strongly with fans, making it a standout title despite its gameplay flaws.
- “Jsr is an underrated Dreamcast game that catches you into its atmosphere, as if the game is having fun by itself and you are part of the party.”
- “What makes Jet Set Radio more than the sum of its parts is its atmosphere, flair, and style.”
- “The art style aged really well and I love the atmosphere this game creates, especially the funky and hip-hop art style and soundtrack.”
- “I tried playing this game, I really tried, because I love its atmosphere and its attitude, but as it is a game, I cannot force myself to play something that does not entertain me and rather makes me frustrated.”
- “There's not much substance to the game besides its atmosphere, which makes it seem a bit overrated.”
- “However, this love of its atmosphere and the game's comforting familiarity is very much a feeling that is specific to me; you may feel the same after playing, but it's also possible that the game won't click with you at all and you'll end up being frustrated by its floaty controls and bizarre levels.”
character development
21 mentions
62 % positive mentions
24 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is highlighted by its exceptional and unique character designs, which are often described as iconic and vibrant, reflecting a strong 90's aesthetic. Despite limited dialogue, players feel a connection to the characters through their distinctive attire and visual presentation, which enhances the overall atmosphere and style of the game. The combination of impressive visuals and a captivating soundtrack further enriches the character experience, making them memorable and engaging.
- “The character designs are exceptional, each very iconic and despite not having much dialogue, you can still get a sense of who they might be.”
- “Now gameplay aside, Jet Set Radio has all you'd expect: amazing aesthetics, great character designs, every map has a charm in it, visuals amazing, the game is just flooded with character and aesthetics.”
- “When I saw the character designs, I was blown away. I personally love Beat's and Mew's character design (Mew is my favorite at the moment). I promise that you'll enjoy the soundtrack; Hideki Naganuma, the composer, did a fantastic job on this soundtrack for JSR & JSRF.”
- “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters on a personal level.”
- “While the character designs are visually appealing, the lack of meaningful growth or change throughout the game is disappointing.”
- “I found the character arcs to be predictable and uninspired, which detracted from my overall enjoyment of the game.”
stability
15 mentions
20 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
80 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting frequent glitches and crashes that detract from the overall experience. While some users note that the game runs well on various systems, others express frustration over buggy controls and persistent issues that can disrupt gameplay. Overall, the stability concerns seem to overshadow the game's positive aspects, leading to a lack of recommendation from several players.
- “Next to no glitches or crashes.”
- “It runs great on my two-year-old laptop, so yeah.”
- “The game runs great, but does have a few issues.”
- “Can't recommend this game due to glitches and crashes.”
- “The port is a bit buggy, and the PC controls kind of suck, to be honest.”
- “Sega disappoints in the development of this game, with it being a buggy re-release that has been patched numerous times but the errors remain.”
optimization
15 mentions
27 % positive mentions
53 % neutral mentions
20 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews; while some players report smooth performance even on low-end hardware, others criticize the lack of proper mouse and keyboard support, suggesting that a controller is preferable. Overall, the port is seen as decent with some performance issues, but many agree it retains the charm of the original Dreamcast version.
- “Runs smoothly, even on my dinky laptop.”
- “Amazing port, great optimization, nice and smooth in every aspect.”
- “The game isn't demanding on PCs, and all but the weakest rigs should see good performance.”
- “Maybe it's better with a controller, but still doesn't change the fact that the mouse and keyboard optimization is almost nonexistent.”
- “The environments are not completely optimized for the gameplay, which adds some difficulties.”
- “This was literally not even optimized for PC; it's just the Xbox 360 version and nothing else.”
emotional
7 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game evokes a mix of nostalgia and frustration, as players reflect on their fond memories while grappling with outdated controls and challenging mechanics. Despite the game's shortcomings, the thrill of mastering skills and achieving high rankings can lead to a sense of accomplishment and love for the experience. However, the overall presentation and technical issues can also elicit feelings of disappointment and sadness.
- “It made me feel love.”
- “I grew up playing Jet Set Radio Future, which made me feel so inclined to buy the prequel.”
- “A lot of your points are based on how many tricks you can do in a row without touching the ground, which sets an incredibly high skill ceiling, where every time you play, you feel as if you're improving, and getting that combo higher and higher, until you get the highest ranking possible on every single mission.”