Born for Wii: Jet Set Radio

by Wesley Fenlon { Sep 9th 2008 at 1:36PM }

Even though it's been eight years since Jet Set Radio was released for the Dreamcast, few games are its equal when it comes to style -- and even fewer have surpassed it. Jet Set Radio pioneered cel-shading in 2000, and just about every entry on the short list of games that out-cool it also followed in its footsteps. While Okami, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and No More Heroes all feature gorgeous toon-shading to the same effect, they also owe their beauty to the original, which brought the wild streets of Tokyo-to to life in an exciting new way. It's so stylish, it even gives 80's Prince a run for his money.

Jet Set Radio is a game of mad beats, madder cops and rad moves. You take on the role of the aptly-named Beat, the leader of an up-and-coming street gang in the bustling metropolis of Tokyo-to. Your gangs of Rudies, skate punks out to make their mark on the world, are the GG's. Your task? Usurp the territory of rival gangs, avoid the police, and tag your way to the top. And don't forget to jam out to some righteous tunes while you're at it. As developer Smilebit's first release, Jet Set Radio is a landmark title for the Sega Dreamcast, and it's their second game that's Born for Wii.

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Gallery: Born for Wii: Jet Set Radio

Every week, Born for Wii digs into gaming's sordid past to unearth a new treasure fit for revival on the Nintendo Wii. Be sure to check out last week's entry in the series, Sam & Max Hit the Road, and for more great titles that deserve your attention, take a look at Virtually Overlooked.

Tags: born-for-wii, dreamcast, jet-grind-radio, jet-set-radio, joystiqfeatures, port, sega, skate, smilebit

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Mr Khan @ Sep 9th 2008 2:08PM

Certainly a more obvious title. But aside from the obvious pointer-based awesomeness it would bring in, the game just has the right "feel" for the Wii

But then again, so did NiGHTS, and while i loved NiGHTS 2, it was a total retail bomb

shadow1w2 @ Sep 9th 2008 2:22PM

I agree with it, though a classic controller setup would be nice too.
I have the first game for the dreamcast but I've always wanted to try the Jet Set Radio Future game.
I'd love to see a two pack released from Sega.
Would be an easy port and graphics are artistic as it is and don't need improving. Though some effects would be nice.

A full out Wii sequel would be nice though. I have more faith in it not being complete suck as Sonic Team won't be working on it. Plus the game is mostly about the music. Also theres really not much to do to update it. Colorfull graphics on the Wii isn't hard to do plus maybe some bigger more open areas and some more tricks to do.
Multiplayer is a must plus SD card image uploading would be great.
Though trading online would make Nintendo angry. "A circle with a dot in the middle? PORN!" However it would be one of the greatest games ever made on the Wii in a heart beat.
Would also encourage some awsome graffiti modded Wiis.

Definitly one of my favorite DC games. I really hope to see some more of it.

TWOO DEE @ Sep 9th 2008 3:24PM

ooo, yes, i love the idea of being able to upload my own 'tags' to spray all over town.

wow, now i'm pumped at the thought of a wiimake

Indalecio @ Sep 9th 2008 6:22PM

I might be crazy, but the copy of the game I have for Dreamcast is titled "Jet Grind Radio". Is "Set" the title they used for non-US releases?

matmccoy @ Sep 9th 2008 8:31PM

Yes - Jet Set Radio is the original name. There was another game with "jet set" in the name - so Sega decided to change the name. I can't remember what the other game was called, and Wikipedia is no help.

poofyslime @ Sep 9th 2008 8:45PM

The original Dreamcast game is called Jet Set Radio in Japan and Europe; I'm not sure why they changed it for America. However, the sequel is called Jet Set Radio in every region so it's considered the "correct" title for the series.

TWOO DEE @ Sep 9th 2008 8:45PM

i always thought 'jet grind radio' was the original and the sequel was 'jet set radio.'

...just looked it up, sequel is Jet Set Radio Future

shouryuuken @ Sep 10th 2008 12:47PM

finally! ive been saying this forever. it seems that you guys kind of mach up with my feelings that the wii is the only machine on the market that could be this generations dreamcast. if nintendos internet strategies were better, itd be a done deal. the wii is the best console for shmups, 2d fighters, and just all around odd yet original games that made the dreamcast a fan favorite like power stone and jet set radio.

also, segas dreamcast was basically built to be a home arcade experience, with a little influence by pc gaming (keyboard/mouse, internet connectivity). the wii is also the best system to emulate arcade gaming, since the 360 and ps3 are good for epic, cinematic type games, and pc ports/western games.

anyways.. itd be cool if a port or sequel of jet set made it to wii, with a collectors edition bonus that had a spray can shell that went over the remote.. and the cans button on top would push down on the trigger when you held it down to tag. itd also be cool to have it to where theres a timer while youre tagging, so you have to shake the can/remote to loosen up your paint like real taggers do. the sound of the marbles in the can would come through the speaker. the nunchuck would plug into the bottom still.. and youd control your character that way.

darkshun @ Sep 11th 2008 8:58AM

why don't they...

PORT IT!?!??!

=~~~~

Beer Guts @ Sep 14th 2008 8:32PM

I back this article 100%. Jet Set Radio on the Wii would be a god send. The only thing, other than a graphics upgrade, would be to allow you to input what grabs/flips/grinds you could do like in skate, tony hawk or aggressive inline. That's my only beef with JSR. Bring it on!