Earlier this week, Xbox and Tango Gameworks shadow dropped Hi-Fi RUSH on Xbox Game Pass. As you've probably already noticed, it's got quite a unique-looking style, drawing comparisons to certain past releases such as SEGA's graffiti rollerblade game, Jet Set Radio Future.
It seems Hi-Fi RUSH has also brought back some memories of Jet Set Radio Future for Xbox Head Phil Spencer this week. In an interview with IGN, Spencer mentioned how much he loved Tango Gameworks' new release, which had "some of the same vibe" - especially after not being able to secure JSRF for the Xbox backwards compatibility program.
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"I love Hi-Fi Rush, I love the way it looks, I love the music. One of the games I'd always wanted to get, we weren't able to land it in our backward compatibility program, was Jet Set Radio Future. I thought it would be fantastic to be able to have that game back, and definitely, it's a different kind of game, but some of the same vibe."
Phil went on to mention how he's "really happy" with the final product that came out of Tango Gameworks, and thinks Hi-Fi RUSH was "definitely" one of the highlights of the Xbox Developer Direct earlier this week.
As for Jet Set Radio Future's return, it seems far less likely at this point in time, now that Xbox has officially closed its backward compatibility program. Who knows what could happen in the future, though (especially after the miracle revival of the licensed game GoldenEye 007 earlier this week) - it could be on SEGA to release some sort of modified version, remake or remaster. On the plus side, the original Jet Set Radio game is still available on the Xbox 360 marketplace and can be played on Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S.
Would you like to see the return of Jet Set Radio Future on Xbox in some way or form? Although Hi-Fi RUSH is a completely different experience to JSRF, is it sort of filling the void? Leave a comment down below.
[source ign.com]
Comments 23
That would be fantastic. Make it happen its only money lol
Licensing the music was no doubt the issue here. They brought the majority of iconic original Xbox exclusives back, including a lot of obscure ones, so they definitely had conversations about it.
I never played jet set radio but I have seen its Gameplay and I understanding the Similarities.
I'm loving Hi-Fi Rush, very happy that Xbox got this game, It's great example that not all first party games have to be big budget AAA. They just need to be fun and well made.
In the meantime, I'm looking forward to the spiritual successor: "Bomb Rush Cyberfunk".
I actually bought the Original Xbox for Jet set Radio Future above all else and I would have loved to see a sequel, remake or remaster from Sega. That was one amazing game!!
If nothing else I’m glad it seems they at least tried to get it. Still a shame they didn’t though…
Weird it wasn't added because it's in the BC library on the 360. I still play it on occasion.
If Goldeneye can come back so can this. Make it happen SEGA
It’s also a shame that the first title, Jet Set Radio, is on the backward compatible store bur unavailable. I am not sure why, as it’s available for the PS3 (I bought it recently).
Jet set radio future and sega get bundled with the original Xbox, which I could only afford on its own to begin with so these were the only games I could play before I could afford halo. What a time that was. I remember putting my own music into sega get and being absolutely blown away, then slightly annoyed as every race started with the same song. That song still reminds me of racing even to this day and its not even a racing kind of song (stone sour -bother) haha
Jet Set Radiooooooooooo!!!!
Jet Set Radio Live is a very cool digital radio station people should check out.
@Falien It's available but you have to buy it through the Xbox 360 Marketplace website. Then when you search for it from your Xbox One/Series console it gives you the option to install it. I did it myself recently.
You have to buy it here: https://marketplace.xbox.com/en-gb/Product/Jet-Set-Radio/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d80258411247
@Shigurui That is how I play it as well. In Canada I regularily see copies of the Jet Set Radio Future/Sega GT 2002 combo original xbox disk on ebay for really cheap.
I would love Jet Set Radio Future to be backwards compatible or been rereleased in a remaster. I bought the original Xbox because of Jet Set Radio Future. I had the Jet Set Radio (or Jet Grind Radio as it was called here in the states) on the Dreamcast. Then when that system failed, I needed a new system. SEGA was supporting all the systems but when I saw JSRF was exclusive to Xbox, I was sold. I absolutely loved it and actually been thinking of pulling my old Xbox out to play it. I’m hoping Phil can pull some strings and get SEGA to do something with the game.
I would be very glad about that, the catalog of original XBox games is still a bit small. This would be a great addition.
In this case, I would buy it digital since the original disc version is so expensive now.
@Bionic-Spencer Did you buy the one with the Sega GT 2002/Jet Set Radio Future pack in game? I ask that because I just saw mine in the closet (in the original box, shrink wrapped) that I put back for long time storage. I kept the game out and it's still just part of my library.
@ZYDIO I bought the game on release separately to the Xbox, so not the GT bundle. 😄
@Bionic-Spencer After reading this article I'm going to have to play that game again. I don't remember ever finishing it back in the day. I have another OG Xbox that is hooked up to my gaming TV with HDMI.
@ZYDIO Yes bud, I started playing Jet Set Future after this post also! It’s still an amazing game!
@Bionic-Spencer Isn't it backwards compatible with the Xbox 360? I wonder why it's not backward compatible with the Xbox One and up. I know people were talking about licensing of the music and whatnot and that's usually the reason. If it's backward compatible on the Xbox 360, why can't they do the same thing for the newer systems? I usually don't play a backward compatible games on the Xbox 360 and either play them on the original Xbox or on the Xbox series X. The reason being, that I have read and have had experience with original Xbox games not working 100% on the Xbox 360.
@ZYDIO yeah, it was BK on 360. Very strange it didn’t get the same treatment on the One.
@Bionic-Spencer 🤔
If microsoft tell me this game is made by sega old jet set/grind radio, I'll believe them 😂
I love this kind of colourful looking dreamcast-like games like this, dreamcast (and psone) era is my favs era of gaming, where big games still can be innovative, colourful and silly.
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