Jet Set Radio Turns 25: From Frustrating Timers to Pure Skatin' Bliss
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
Eurogamer reflects on Jet Set Radio's 25th anniversary, highlighting how the sequel's removal of timers allowed the series to truly shine as a celebration of movement, style, and place, influencing games like Splatoon and Bomb Rush Cyberfunk. It's a reminder that sometimes, less is more, especially when it comes to letting players vibe with a game's unique atmosphere.
Right, so Eurogamer's been having a think about Jet Set Radio turning a quarter of a century old (bloody hell, where does the time go?), and it got me wondering: what makes this game still so damn cool after all these years? Christian Donlan over at Eurogamer reckons it's all about the movement, the place, and a little bit of love. And I'm inclined to agree, mate.
See, I remember the first time I clapped eyes on Jet Set Radio. It was like someone had taken a can of spray paint to reality itself. The colours, the music, the sheer *style* of it all... it was unlike anything I'd ever seen. But here's the thing: the original Jet Set Radio, bless its heart, was a bit of a pain in the backside. Those timers, man! You'd be halfway through tagging a wall with your freshest design, only to get pinged back to the start 'cause you ran out of time. Talk about a buzzkill.
Jet Set Radio Future, though? Now *that* was the ticket. No timers, just pure, unadulterated skating bliss. You could explore the world at your own pace, soak in the atmosphere, and truly feel like you were part of the Tokyo-futuristic scene. It was less about ticking boxes and more about, well, *being* there. About feeling the rhythm of the city under your wheels.
And that's what makes Jet Set Radio so special, innit? It's not just a game; it's a vibe. A feeling. A celebration of street culture, self-expression, and sticking it to the man (or, in this case, the Rokkaku Group). Its influence is everywhere, from the ink-splattered chaos of *Splatoon* to the over-the-top antics of *Sunset Overdrive*.
Speaking of influences, you can't talk about Jet Set Radio without mentioning *Bomb Rush Cyberfunk*. It's basically Jet Set Radio's spiritual successor, taking all the best bits (the graffiti, the music, the cel-shading) and ditching the bits that didn't quite work (did someone say timers?).
Eurogamer reckons that if the Jet Set Radio series had continued, we'd have seen even less emphasis on traditional game mechanics and more focus on movement and environment. And I reckon they're spot on. Give me a world that begs to be explored, a soundtrack that makes me want to dance, and a pair of inline skates, and I'm a happy camper. Happy birthday, Jet Set Radio. You're still the coolest cat in town.
Tags: Jet Set Radio, Sega, Dreamcast, Bomb Rush Cyberfunk, Cel-shading
Original article: Eurogamer