Jet Set Radio Future is an action-sports game developed by Smilebit and released in 2002 exclusively for Xbox. A sequel to Jet Set Radio, it is set in a dystopian future version of Tokyo where authorities have banned free expression. Players control a member of the GGs, a crew of inline-skating graffiti artists navigating the city to paint over rival gangs' tags, evade and disrupt the Rokkaku police force, and move to an eclectic electric soundtrack. The game employs a distinctive cel-shaded visual style and draws cultural influence from 1980s old-school hip hop and 1990s J-pop, blending those aesthetics into its art direction and music. It earned considerable acclaim for its soundtrack, detailed artwork, and core gameplay mechanics. Despite its futuristic premise, the game's attitude and imagery remain firmly rooted in street culture of earlier decades.
Jet Set Radio Future is set in Tokyo-To, Japan, in 2024, where a street gang known as the GG's is fighting for control over the streets against rival gangs, as well as the big and powerful corporation known as the Rokkaku Group, led by Gouji Rokkaku. The Rokkaku Group is attempting to sieze control of Tokyo by force and convert it to a totalitarian police state. The game initially puts the player in control of YoYo, an aspiring member of the GG's, who has to pass a series of simple tests to join, essentially forming a tutorial for the player. Once this is complete, the player is free to explore Tokyo-to and start the fight against the Rokakku Group and rival gangs as either YoYo, Corn or Gum, and play as up to 21 other unlockable characters throughout the game.
