25 Years Later, Fans Are Still Waiting for a Follow-Up to This Cult Classic Game

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The gaming world is full of beloved, yet sometimes overlooked, games – a result of an industry that’s always moving forward. Just because a game wasn’t initially a huge hit doesn’t mean it’s forgotten. Sometimes, games find a dedicated fanbase after release and become lasting favorites for those who discover them.

Jet Set Radio Future is a unique action game where players inline skate and create graffiti. It cleverly combined fast movement with spray painting, and its over-the-top tricks were reminiscent of the SSX series. With its distinctive cel-shaded visuals and rebellious story, the game quickly became beloved by players and developers alike. Even twenty-five years after its release on the Xbox, fans are still hoping for a sequel, and for good reason!

Jet Set Radio Future Was Painfully 2002, And I Wouldn’t Have It Any Other Way

Originally created by Sega as a sequel to the popular Dreamcast game Jet Set Radio, Jet Set Radio Future is still beloved by fans – and many hope a new installment will be made someday. The game takes place in a futuristic Tokyo, where players skate through the city, pulling off tricks and causing trouble for rival gangs and a powerful police force. Players explore the urban landscape, performing stunts while trying to evade police patrols.

In Jet Set Radio Future, the main goal is to skate around the city, finding graffiti created by opposing gangs and covering it with your own art. The game is fun to play thanks to its responsive controls and quick speed, but what really stood out to players was its unique style. The game’s bright, cel-shaded graphics perfectly matched the theme of spray paint, which players use to tag walls, temporarily disable enemies, and even destroy tanks sent to stop them.

The game draws heavily from the style of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater and real street culture, creating a vibrant and immersive world. The fashion, visuals, and music—much of which was composed by Hideki Naganuma with a blend of guitar, hip-hop, and techno—all come together to match the game’s fast-paced action and colorful characters. Even the combat feels creative, utilizing spray paint instead of traditional violence. Despite the story focusing on territory battles, the game ultimately feels like a fun and rebellious expression of youth culture.

Fans And Developers Have Spent Over Twenty Years Waiting For A Jet Set Sequel

Okay, so Jet Set Radio Future was originally supposed to come out on the Dreamcast, but Sega realized that console wasn’t doing so well. They ended up releasing it as a launch title for the Xbox in Europe and Asia instead, which I think was a great move. The Xbox really let the game’s graphics shine and make the world pop. They also beefed up the story and smoothed out the gameplay, and honestly, it totally paid off. Critics loved it – it ended up with an 88 on Metacritic, which is pretty awesome!

Despite being critically acclaimed on the original Xbox, Jet Set Radio Future didn’t achieve mainstream success, meaning a sequel never materialized quickly. There have been several tries to bring the series back, including attempts by Kuju Entertainment for the Nintendo Wii in 2009 and a pitch for Jet Set Radio Evolution to Sony’s Dinosaur Games. However, Sega ultimately decided not to move forward with either project. More recently, a new Jet Set Radio game was announced at The Game Awards in 2023, but there haven’t been any significant updates since.

Fans and developers have long wanted a sequel, and for good reason. Though it didn’t reach a massive audience, Jet Set Radio Future quickly became a beloved cult classic. Its fast-paced gameplay, colorful world, and energetic music appealed to fans of artists like Gorillaz and Daft Punk – groups that have since become hugely influential. With current events highlighting a desire for rebellion against authority, a new Jet Set Radio game feels particularly relevant. It would finally reward the decades of patience from dedicated fans and give the series the recognition it deserves.

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2026-02-22 21:11