Jet Set Radio

Jet Set Radio is a 2000 action game developed by Smilebit for the Sega Dreamcast, following the GG gang of rollerblading youths who tag graffiti across a stylized future Tokyo while dodging police, a private security force, and rival crews.

Players grind rails, ride walls, and perform tricks while spraying graffiti by inputting analog-stick gestures to complete each tag, all set to an eclectic soundtrack of electronica, hip-hop, funk, and J-pop curated by composer Hideki Naganuma. Its cel-shaded visuals were groundbreaking, giving the game a bold comic-book look that helped popularize the technique and influenced countless titles that followed. A create-your-own-graffiti feature let players import custom designs.

Though a modest seller, it became a beloved cult classic celebrated for its art direction, music, and rebellious attitude, and it spawned a sequel on later hardware. It has been re-released on modern platforms in high definition, and its influence lives on in later graffiti and skating-inspired games and an announced spiritual successor.