The original Jet Set Radio (known in the U.S as Jet Grind Radio) was one of the most memorable games on the Dreamcast and set the standard for cel-shaded graphics. Jet Set Radio Future is set to be just as astounding and improve on the already incredible features of the previous game.

With the power of the Xbox, the game has vastly improved the cel-shaded technique. The graphics are incredible and crisp. The framerate of the game has also been vastly improved over the original. The environments in the game are huge and extremely detailed. The Xbox has also allowed for extreme AI, resulting in smarter crowds, police, and rival gangs.

Jet Set Radio Future revolves around the same basic concept of the first game. The year is 2024 and you are a skate gang member in Tokyo. The character uses jet-powered skates to roam around Tokyo to express the art of graffiti. This is not easily accomplished because the long arm of the law constantly interferes you with as well as rival gangs that attempt to out-skate and out-paint you at every turn. Also the outcome of the story is dependent of how you explore each area.

The gameplay of the original has been vastly overhauled. The original, while revolutionary in design, often felt a little slow due to the fact that most of the time was spent skating to an area and tagging it. The developers of Jet Set Radio Future realized this and have answered gamers’ cries by focusing on speed. Gamers will be more involved by having to do more tasks throughout the city. Also the new "turbo button" will have a huge role in the gameplay of JSRF. The control of JSRF has become much more responsive over the first game. With the game being more focused on speed, the controls are geared to make it easier to execute advance tags (portions of graffiti art) at higher speeds.

Anyone who played the original already knows what kind of music goes in to a Jet Set game. Well JSRF looks to impress gamers again with another jamming soundtrack.

The most exciting aspect of JSRF is the inclusion of multi-player modes. Players can take part in co-op and rival modes. JSRF includes support for up to four players. Just the thought of calling over three friends and showing off my mad turbo skating skills makes me feel like a giddy school girl on the first day of school (ok maybe not that excited but you get the idea).

Soon Xbox owners will be able to brag about more than just Halo and Dead or Alive 3. Jet Set Radio Future looks to impress gamers with incredible graphics and intense gameplay. Until JSRF comes out pick up a copy Jet Grind Radio for the Dreamcast if you haven’t already played it. JSRF should help the Xbox gain support in Japan and hopefully means more of Sega’s great franchises will come over to the Xbox. JSRF is a great example of how the cel-shaded technique can create a memorable experience (not meaning that all popular franchises should switch to this method ahem Nintendo with Zelda).