Sega is ramping up for a major revival of some of its biggest franchises. While it’s hard to saywhat exactly the future may hold for the storied developer, news about the continuation ofJet Set Radiocould be imminent, if recent remarks from the game’s director are any indication.
For the uninitiated,Jet Set Radiois a clever mix of the adventure and sports genres, blending exploration with flashy trick-chaining a laTony Hawk’s Pro Skater. Originally released for the Sega Dreamcast in 2000,Jet Set Radiois regularly lauded as one of the best-aged games of all time, due in major part to its cel-shaded, stylized graphics, but also thanks to its chunky and addictive mechanics, which can go toe-to-toe with some of the best skateboarding games of today. With an injection of unparalleled flair and panache,Jet Set Radiois remembered as one of the coolest, slickest games of the 2000s—nevermind its well-wrought gameplay systems. For those who missed out on the original, there’s little reason to wallow, as Sega has confirmed that a reboot is in the works.
Jet Set Radio Director Teases Reboot News in 2025
2025 Will Mark the 25th Anniversary of Jet Set Radio
Speaking with 4Gamer,Jet Set Radiodirector Masayoshi Kikuchi reaffirmed his commitmentto theJet Set Radioreboot, while also reminding audiences of a poignant bit of trivia: “I’m still working on a newJet Set Radiogame. Incidentally, 2025 marks the 25th anniversary ofJet Set Radio, so I’m thinking about how to celebrate it.” Neither of these statements should come as a surprise, as they both simply relay already known information, but Kikuchi’s phrasing and seemingly tongue-in-cheek attitude might have some raising their eyebrows.
“Thinking about how to celebrate"Jet Set Radio’s 25th anniversary, spoken in the same breath as a confirmation about the IP’s reboot, seems to suggest that something more substantial is on the way. Perhaps Kikuchi was simply being candid here, which is definitely possible, but unleashing someconcrete news about the newJet Set Radiogamein celebration of the original’s quarter-century anniversary seems rather appropriate. Kikuchi’s statement is noncommittal, but it certainly has the air of a tease, and it wouldn’t be the most outlandish marketing plan in the world.
Jet Set Radio News Could Just Be the Start for Sega This Year
In addition toJet Set Radio, Sega is reviving the following IP:
Players are no doubt excited about the newJet Set Radio, especially since 2023’sBomb Rush Cyberfunkoffered a taste of what aJSRsequel could look like, but the above franchise revivals are no less promising.Streets of Ragecame back in 2020 withStreets of Rage 4, a no-frills, classic beat-em-up that could pave the way for more exciting sequels down the road, but the others have been dormant for much longer.ShinobiandGolden Axe, for example, haven’t received new releases since the early 2000s, andwhileCrazy Taxisaw re-releases and mobile spin-offs in the 2000s and 2010s, it hasn’t gotten a proper new entry since 2002.
All of this is to say that anticipation for these reboots has long since reached a boiling point. These are often cited as some of the best games of all time, and theyformed the backbone of Sega’s strategybefore it switched to a software-only approach. Indeed, 2025 may mark the 25th anniversary ofJet Set Radio, but if news about that game’s reboot is imminent, then closer looks at these other revivals shouldn’t lag too far behind.
Jet Set Radio
Tag, grind, and trick to the beat in SEGA’s hit game Jet Set Radio!Fight for control of Tokyo-to, mark your turf with graffiti, tag walls, billboards, and even rival gang members! Perform tricks and flips on magnetically driven in-line skates, but watch out for the local police force!
