Xbox’s Classic Jet Set Radio Future Deserves a Remake

Jet Set Radio Future is begging for a remake or port for modern consoles, with the classic, groundbreaking game still stuck on the original Xbox.

There are several classic video games that are begging for remakes, with many of these requests sadly going unanswered. One such title is Jet Set Radio Future, which itself is a sort of remake of the first game. Taking the concept of its predecessor and refining it, this game is the epitome of developer Sega's rebellious spirit.

For years, fans have been clamoring for a sequel or even simply an enhanced port of Jet Set Radio Future. It's a more than deserved request, with the game actually feeling more in line with modern popular culture than it did when it was released in the early 2000s. With a remake already heavily rumored to be in development, it's time for the classic game to make the jump to modern consoles.

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Developed in the late 1990s when Sega's time as a hardware developer was drying up, the original Jet Set Radio would become a time capsule of the company's image throughout the decade. The game's artist/designer was Ryuta Ueda, who wanted to take things in a different direction from what Sega had done with the adventure/RPG title Panzer Dragoon. He had particularly wanted to draw from the "coolness" associated with Sega, with the company's mascot Sonic the Hedgehog being a representation of that smug edginess. After all, it was this "too cool for school" sentiment that allowed Sega to challenge Nintendo's dominance of the industry. Other influences included the anti-establishment ideas behind the movie Fight Club, punk music, and graffiti. This would result in a game that was essentially the polar opposite of another major Sega title from around that time.

Shenmue was a revolutionary series that began on the Sega Dreamcast, and it introduced 3D open-world adventure to video games. The main difference between it and Jet Set Radio, however, was that the latter had a lot more movement and freedom, with the entire philosophy feeling modern and slick. Conversely, Shenmue (which would inspire the much more hot-blooded Yakuza: Like a Dragon games) had a much more conservative aura and presentation, representing a more traditional look at Japan while JSR had all the sleekness of Shibuya and Shinjuku. It was essentially '90s Sega in a nutshell, with its mere existence feeling like a dare to the rest of the video game industry. The combination of hip music, the freedom to explore, and free gameplay was a breath of fresh air, with Jet Set Radio becoming arguably one of the best games of all time.

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Releasing on the Microsoft Xbox two years after the first game, Jet Set Radio Future wasn't a sequel or remake of its predecessor so much as a refinement. A few elements had been changed for the better, such as the ease of tagging spots with graffiti. There was also no time limit on this key gameplay feature, helping to make it more organic and fun. Additionally, players could even design their own custom tags to leave across the city, giving a much greater degree of personalization. Likewise, the interactions with the police were switched up a bit, with players being able to fend them off by spraying them instead of simply running away from them.

Another element that got upgraded was the world of Jet Set Radio Future. The sequel's environment was larger and more open-ended than in the first game, making it even more exciting to traverse and explore. As mentioned, both this series and Shenmue were pioneers in this regard, and it's easy to see how JSRF laid the foundation for much later games such as the recent Spider-Man titles. The addition of multiplayer helped to make this expanded world full even more full, as players could now "tag" along with up to three friends.

No discussion of Jet Set Radio Future would be complete without discussing the music of the series. The soundtrack of the game (and its predecessor) had obvious punk influences, but there were several other genres present as well. Hip hop, electronica, house, funk, ska and jazz were also prevalent throughout the game. The composers of the score were Hideki Naganuma and Richard Jacques, both of whom had history with Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog franchise. Jacques had previously done the soundtracks for the Sega Saturn version of Sonic 3D Blast (which is seen by many as having a superior soundtrack) and worked with singer TJ Davis on the songs for Sonic R. Conversely, Naganuma's funky punk style showed up in the Nintendo DS game Sonic Rush. This unique sound completed Jet Set Radio Future, turning it into a one of a kind experience.

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Ever since it released in 2002, fans have been clamoring for a sequel to Jet Set Radio Future. Sadly, this has not yet come to be. Franchises have since come and gone, with many comparing the Xbox One game Sunset Overdrive to the visuals of Jet Set Radio. Potential new entires in the series for Nintendo consoles such as the Wii were shot down, and the franchise has remained dormant ever since. One of the designers from the first game has stated that the team who made it is simply too old and removed from youth culture to deliver a new and similar experience. The best solution for this problem would be to simply remake or port Future.

Jet Set Radio has been ported and made backwards compatible with newer consoles, but the same isn't the case for Jet Set Radio Future. This is reason alone to port the game (likely with HD graphics), especially given the creators' misgivings of a sequel or wholesale modern remake. An upgraded port of the title would preserve the classic experience and give gamers what they want, all while finally allowing newcomers to experience what made it so great in the first place. Some additions such as online co-op multiplayer options would likely be necessary, but the same overall feel should be maintained.

Additionally, the punk theme feels even more at home in the 2020s, especially with the aesthetic being similar to other "retro" looks such as Vaporwave and Synthwave. Now that it's been over two decades since the game first released, it would now serve as a nostalgic look back at the time right after Sega stopped making consoles. There's simply very little reason to keep such a beloved game lost on old hardware, so giving players another chance to tag Tokyo in a modern port of Jet Set Radio Future is definitely something that Sega should consider.

Timothy Blake Donohoo is a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where he majored in Communication and minored in Creative Writing. A professional freelance writer and marketing expert, he’s written marketing copy and retail listings for companies such as Viatek. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, playing video games, watching documentaries and catching up on the latest Vaporwave and Electro-Swing musical releases.