Overview
Style as substance. Jet Set Radio’s cel-shading made 3D graphics look hand-drawn—a technique that would spread across the industry. The game beneath the visuals matched: inline skaters tagged Tokyo-to with graffiti while evading police, set to an eclectic soundtrack mixing J-pop, hip-hop, and funk. The Dreamcast had found its aesthetic manifesto.
Fast facts
- Developer: Smilebit.
- Year: 2000.
- Platform: Dreamcast.
- Western title: Jet Grind Radio (US).
Visual innovation
| Technique | Effect |
|---|
| Cel-shading | Cartoon appearance |
| Bold outlines | Comic book style |
| Flat colours | Animated look |
| Industry first | Widely adopted after |
Gameplay elements
| Activity | Function |
|---|
| Skating | Traversal |
| Grinding | Rail navigation |
| Tagging | Territory control |
| Evasion | Police avoidance |
Soundtrack curation
| Genre | Artists |
|---|
| J-pop | Guitar Vader |
| Hip-hop | Jurassic 5 |
| Funk | Rob Zombie |
| Electronic | Various |
Cultural impact
| Element | Influence |
|---|
| Cel-shading | Industry adoption |
| Youth culture | Skating/graffiti |
| Art direction | Distinctive identity |
| Sequel | Future expanded |
See also