Jet Set Radio Future

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Jet Set Radio Future
Jet Set Radio Future cover
Developer(s)	Smilebit
Publisher(s)	Sega
Platform(s)	Xbox
Release date(s)	JP February 22, 2002 NA February 28, 2002 EU March 14, 2002
Genre(s)	Action, Racing, Platform, Adventure
Mode(s)	Single-player, multiplayer
Rating(s)	ELSPA: 11+ ESRB: T
Media	DVD-ROM
Input methods	Gamepad

Jet Set Radio Future (often abbreviated JSRF) is a video game developed by Smilebit and published by Sega. It was released on February 25, 2002 in the United States, near the beginning of the Xbox's lifespan. After the game's initial release, it was added alongside Sega GT 2002 onto a single disc and bundled with new Xbox systems.

Similar to the original, it depicts a future Tokyo where freedom of expression is outlawed. The user plays a character in the GG's, a gang of in-line skating graffiti artists who skate around Tokyo covering up rival gangs' graffiti, knocking over Rokkaku police, and dancing to the eclectic soundtrack. The game uses the cel-shaded style of animation, and has been widely acclaimed for its unique music stylings, detailed art, and fun gameplay.

Contents 1 Synopsis 2 Music 3 Characters 3.1 Secret Characters 4 Soundtrack 5 Xbox 360 backwards compatibility 6 Inline Skating Culture 7 Reception 8 References 9 External links

[edit] Synopsis

In 2024 Japan, a group of teenage skaters (Groups collectively referred to as Rudies) called the GGs vie for control of the many districts of Tokyo against many rival groups. A mega corporate enterprise (the Rokkaku Group) has taken over the many districts of the city and their leader is now the mayor of Tokyo. It is oppressing the people, taking away freedom of speech and expression, and is forcing other gang members to give up their territory using the corrupt police force of Tokyo.

The game begins with the player in control of a character called Yoyo, who has to complete a set of basic training exercise to prove himself worthy of joining the GGs.^[1] After these challenges are completed, the game is interrupted by a pirate radio broadcast by 'DJ Professor K' who fills the player in on the turmoil within Tokyo. After this cutscene, the player is released into Tokyo itself, where they pursue their mission to 'bury Tokyo in graffiti' and fight the authoritarian Rokkaku Police.

[edit] Music

As shown below, the music of Jet Set Radio Future was very diverse and the playlist (for its time) was gigantic, much like its Sega Dreamcast predecessor: Jet Grind Radio (NTSC), Jet Set Radio (PAL). The music was played in a premixed format consisting of certain playlists directed to certain levels. The music was in stereo and was not interactive, although there is a jukebox and the end of the game features a song only available through the jukebox. Additionally, the soundtrack introduces artists that are either foreign, not found mainstream or work under gaming licenses such as Guitar Vader, BS 2000, Hideki Naganuma, Scapegoat Wax, The Latch Brothers (the side project of Mike D of the Beastie Boys), Cibo Matto and even The Prunes.

[edit] Characters

Jet Set Radio Future has a total of 24 playable characters including several of whom were not featured in Jet Set Radio. Furthermore, many characters had their names changed when Sega localized the game for the American market.

• Beat
• Gum
• Corn (Tab)
• Yoyo
• Combo
• Rhyth (Mew)
• Garam
• Boogie (Piranha)
• Jazz
• Soda (Slate)
• Cube
• Clutch

[edit] Secret Characters

• Poison Jam
• Rapid 99
• Immortals
• Noise Tanks
• Doom Riders
• Love Shockers
• Pots
• Roboy
• NT-3000
• Zero Beat
• Rokkaku Gouji (Goji)
• A.KU.MU

[edit] Soundtrack

Soundtrack listing

Humming the Bassline (D.S. Remix) – Hideki Naganuma Aisle 10 (Hello Allison) – Scapegoat Wax ** The Answer (The Latch Brothers Remix) – Bran Van 3000 *** Baby-T – Guitar Vader Birthday Cake – Cibo Matto ** Bokfresh – Richard Jacques Latch Brother Bounce – The Latch Brothers ** Fly Like A Butterfly – Hideki Naganuma The Concept Of Love - Hideki Naganuma Funky Dealer – Hideki Naganuma Shape Da Future – Hideki Naganuma Statement Of Intent – bis *** Koto Stomp – The Latch Brothers ** Count Latchula – The Latch Brothers ** Let Mom Sleep (No Sleep Remix) – Hideki Naganuma, remxed by Richard Jacques I Love Love You (Love Love Super Dimension Mix) – Guitar Vader Rockin' The Mic (The Latch Brothers Remix) – The Prunes ** I'm Not A Model – Russell Simins ** Oldies But Happies – Hideki Naganuma Me Likey The Poom Poom – The Latch Brothers ** Rock It On (D.S. Mix) – Hideki Naganuma The Scrappy (The Latch Bros Remix) – BS 2000 *** Sneakman (Toronto Mix) – Hideki Naganuma Ill Victory Beat – The Latch Brothers ** What About The Future – Richard Jacques Teknopathetic – Hideki Naganuma Like It Like This Like That – Hideki Naganuma Sweet Soul Brother (B.B. Rights Mix) - Hideki Naganuma That's Enough (B.B. Rights Mix) – Hideki Naganuma Grace And Glory (B.B. Rights Mix) – Hideki Naganuma (** Not included on the official "Jet Set Radio Future: Original Sound Track" CD available from Scitron Records but most can be found on the very hard-to-find "Jet Set Radio Future: Music Sampler" CD from Grand Royal Records) (*** Not included on either CD.)

[edit] Xbox 360 backwards compatibility

On April 19, 2007, a backwards compatibility update from Microsoft allowed most users to play the game on the Xbox 360. However, this update did not enable compatibility with the Sega Bundled version (packaged on the same disc with Sega GT 2002), nor was there any PAL support.

Later, Microsoft released an update on July 12, 2007, fixing many of the bugs gamers had come across since the initial patch. The fix also enabled the owners of the bundled version and all PAL regions to play JSRF on their Xbox 360. However, the bundled PAL version will not work through a VGA cable, as the menu for selecting which game to play only works in 50Hz.

[edit] Inline Skating Culture

The game has several references to aggressive inline skating. Players can grind through rails and skate backwards. When a player is skating fast, he can come to a quick stop by performing an advanced inline-skating move called the powerslide.

[edit] Reception

Reception
Aggregate scores Aggregator Score GameRankings 85.9% (based on 83 reviews) 7.7 (average vote) [3] Metacritic 88 (based on 37 reviews)[2]
Review scores Publication Score GameSpot 8.7/10[4] IGN 9.1/10[5]

JSRF received critical acclaim, with high reviews in gaming websites and magazines. IGN gave the game a 9.1/10 and called it "one of the coolest titles around" but that it also fails to reach classic status because it was "not enough of a challenge."^[5] GameSpot issued an 8.7/10 describing it as "one of the better Xbox games to date" and disagreeing with IGN, claimed the game "offered a serious challenge."^[4] Despite positive reviews, this was not followed by high sales, landing it the title of the most unfairly ignored game in the OXM UK awards the year of its release.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Jet Set Radio Future Official Website (Available in Japanese)
• Jet Set Radio Future at MobyGames

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