Jet set radio

OVERVIEW

Jet Set Radio was developed by Smilebit, and released for the Dreamcast in 2000. While the game was released in Japan and PAL regions as Jet Set Radio, it was released as Jet Grind Radio in the west.

MUSIC

The game was composed by Hideki Naganuma, and other artists were Toronto, Reps and Deavid soul. The music was highly influenced by Japanese youth culture at the time, as was the rest of the game. The music styles include funk, big beat, and hip-hop.

GAMEPLAY Gameplay consists of skating around a stage in one of three locations, Benten-cho, Shibuya-cho, and Kogane-cho, while tagging graffiti and running from the cops. The graffiti is triggered by skating up to it and pressing the R trigger to start a quick time event, where you have to use joystick movements to spray graffiti. But, you need to collect spray cans by finding them on the stage. In addition, the cops will also be chasing you. There are the normal police, who chase you in attempt to attack you, which are the same as the normal Golden Rhinos. The SWAT, team, which shoots tear gas, temporarily slowing you down, the Golden Rhinos, who will attempt to shoot at you with machine guns, Capt. Onishima, who will chase you around in attempt to shoot rubber bullets at you, and Assassin #6, who will try to whip you. There are also rival gangs, the Love Shockers, the Noise Tanks, and Poison Jam, who will frequently be on the first stage in their own turf. After completing 2 stages in each location, you will have a battle with the dominant gang, where you have tag on their backs.

REIGONAL CHANGES Regional differences include the title and music. The title, which is Jet Set Radio in in Japan and PAL regions, was changed to Jet Grind Radio in the west. Sega has claimed this is due to copyright issues, but in an interview with some members of Smilebit, and they couldn't give a straight answer. Fans have speculated that this is Sega trying to capitalize on the success of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater. Music changes include the additions of Cold, Professional Murder Music and Rob Zombie, while the PAL version added songs by Featurecast and O.B. One.