Jet Grind Radio gets its due

10 Comments by Ben Zackheim Jan 5th 2005 10:08AM
Filed under: Culture, Action

Jet Grind Radio, the Dreamcast classic, has had a long and impressive life. Especially if you consider it's never actually done very well on the shelves. The highly stylized tagging-blading romp took great advantage of the Dreamcast's hardware and should have taken the world by storm when it was released in 2000. But, as with most DC titles, the audience wasn't there. 1up offers us a great look at the game, its legacy, and its potential - even in the throes of mainstream failure.

(Page 1) Reader Comments

zander106: Dec 18th 2005; 8:45PM

This was one of the most fun games I ever remember playing back on the Dreamcast. The cel-shading look fit the style perfectly, and the high aerial stunt jumps you had to complete to get through some of the missions were a thrill to execute, especially with the cinematic cut-away while in motion. And the music, oh, the music! So much fun! Oh for the days of the great Dreamcast. Did anyone ever play the sequel? I don't own an XBox so I never got to...

Luke: Dec 18th 2005; 8:45PM

I actually played the Xbox sequel but never played the original. I can say that the sequel is a great game, and is a lot of fun to play. From what I can tell, it doesn't waunder too far from the Dreamcast original, but it's a fun game nonetheless.

Kamalot: Dec 18th 2005; 8:45PM

I tried the sequel but didn't like the fact that they did away with actually having to paint the artwork. Rather than flowing the joystick in a series of paint strokes while the fuzz closed in, you simply pressed a button and BAM, instant graffiti.

Luke: Dec 18th 2005; 8:45PM

Ah, so you used to be able to make your own graffiti. That would have been a nice touch.

Though with the Xbox game you can customize your own tag and later "press a button" to make that one appear. It's not (apparently) as spontaneous but it does get the job done.

MrTroy: Dec 18th 2005; 8:45PM

My question is.... where's an XBox Live version? IT seems like the only reasonable step now. And it's not like the game won't get bought. I may just run out and buy like 5 more copies so the game looks like it's doing buch better.

Asz: Dec 18th 2005; 8:45PM

This was one of my favorite DC games, and one of the reasons I wanted to own a DC so badly. Much of the platforming aspects of the game were a pain in the ass to complete, but somehow rewarding. I also enjoyed the Xbox sequel (which I bought the day I broke down and got an xbox) The platforming was better, the tricks were better, and the places you managed to reach in the game were amazing! Soooooooooooooo high up in the air, it was a wonder.

Bud: Dec 18th 2005; 8:45PM

I loved the DC version. I think I'll have to pull it out again this weekend. I only made it about halfway though because there were a couple thing up way too high on a fence for me to be able to get. Looked online for hints and cheats and apparently it was just some technique I couldn't figure out.

Also interesting to note is the fact that I know two women who don't play games too ofter got hooked on this one.

I wish I could play the sequel, but not enough to make me buy another console.

jammy: Dec 18th 2005; 8:45PM

I had both Jet Grind Radio and Jet Set Radio lmao. Both the same game, just the Jet Grind One was a pirate copy from America. (I live in UK) I only bought it off market because someone told me it was a tad different from my legit Jet Set Radio copy. (and it was, some graphic changes music differences nothing major)

I loved the game on my DreamCast.. ahh the days :P

CaptSnuffy: Dec 18th 2005; 8:45PM

ahh the memories of the dreamcast

such an underrated system

this game was one of my favorites

the xbox versions painting is boring, i liked using the analog sticks and buttons to paint the graffiti, it added some skill to it. I remember trying to show my friend how to play it but he didn't have "controlla' skillz" like me so he couldn't hit up a spot before da fuzz got him.

great... i mean "dope" soundtrack too

Tendo Queen: Dec 18th 2005; 8:45PM

Ah, wow...I loved this game. I played it till the day my Dreamcast died...*sniff* still one of my faves. I'd buy another Dreamcast, just to play it...^_^;;

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