Jet Set Radiois a vibrant and iconic action game that made waves upon its release for the Sega Dreamcast. Set in the stylized, graffiti-filled streets of Tokyo-to, the game introduces players to a rebellious youth culture powered by rollerblades, street art, and energetic music. One of the game’s most memorable features is its diverse cast of playable characters, each bringing their own personality, style, and gameplay characteristics. As players progress through the game, they meet new characters and unlock them to expand their crew. Knowing who these characters are and what makes them special is part of the fun and strategy in building your ultimate graffiti gang.
Understanding Playable Characters in Jet Set Radio
Character Variety and Play Styles
Each character inJet Set Radiohas a unique combination of attributes, which includes speed, power, graffiti skill, and cornering. These stats influence how well a character performs during different gameplay challenges whether it’s escaping police chases, tagging graffiti spots, or racing across rooftops. Some characters are faster but less agile, while others can spray more graffiti without reloading. Choosing the right character for a specific level can make a big difference in gameplay.
Unlocking New Characters
Many characters are unlocked by progressing through the story, completing certain missions, or meeting them in free-roam mode and defeating them in challenges. These character encounters often require you to copy their tricks or beat them in races. The more graffiti you spread, the more attention you attract bringing new challengers and allies to your team.
Main Characters at the Start of the Game
Beat
Beat is the poster boy ofJet Set Radioand the first character you play as. He is well-balanced in speed, graffiti, and handling, making him an ideal character for beginners. Beat also plays a central role in the story as the founder of the GGs, the graffiti gang the player controls.
Gum
Gum joins the GGs early in the game and offers better cornering than Beat. Her light frame and agility make her great for tight turns and maneuvering around obstacles. She’s often the preferred choice for levels that involve narrow alleyways or technical skating paths.
Tab (also known as Corn)
Tab is another early recruit with strong graffiti abilities. He can tag larger surfaces more efficiently, making him ideal for stages that require heavy spraying. His stats make him a solid support choice when players are focusing on graffiti coverage.
Characters Unlocked During the Story
Combo
Combo brings brute force to the team. He’s slower than most characters but has excellent graffiti stats and power. Combo is particularly effective in levels where strength and spraying capacity are crucial. His large frame gives him a unique visual presence in the game as well.
Cube
Cube is Combo’s partner and joins under similar conditions. She has well-rounded stats but leans more toward power and technique. She’s often selected for missions where balance and style are both needed.
Garam
Garam is an unlockable character who offers incredible speed and great cornering. His fast movement makes him a favorite for race-oriented challenges and time trials. To unlock Garam, players must mimic his tricks and beat him in a skate-off.
Slate
Slate brings a gritty look and a strong focus on graffiti. He’s a character that excels in tagging quickly and efficiently, and he has enough speed to make it past guards and police without too much trouble. Slate is unlocked after players complete specific missions related to the Noise Tanks gang.
Piranha
Piranha is stylish and flashy, both in appearance and playstyle. She has decent speed and solid graffiti abilities. She is known for her agility and expressive moves, which make her fun to play in more open-ended areas of the game.
Mew
Mew is a high-energy skater with solid stats across the board. She’s balanced, like Beat, but with a more acrobatic style. Mew is often chosen for missions that require a mix of speed and graffiti tagging.
Gang Members from Rival Crews
Love Shockers
The Love Shockers are an all-female gang that players encounter early in the story. Though not playable in the main game, some fan mods and bonus content allow players to use character models inspired by these rivals. They offer unique designs and challenge the player with aggressive tagging and ambush tactics.
Noize Tanks
The Noize Tanks are techno-themed rivals who use digital trickery and bring advanced tactics into the game. Later in the story, players face off against them in increasingly difficult battles. Though not officially playable, their design has inspired custom character edits by the community.
Poison Jam
Poison Jam is another rival crew that leans into monstrous aesthetics and chaotic gameplay. Their intimidating presence and strange costumes add variety and danger to the game’s world. While they cannot be recruited, defeating them plays a crucial part in the storyline progression.
Bonus and Hidden Characters
Goji
Goji Rokkaku, the game’s main antagonist, becomes playable after finishing the game. While not part of the standard GGs crew, unlocking him adds a powerful and unusual choice to your roster. His appearance and movement are completely different from the rest, making him a novelty option for replay value.
Potts
Potts, the dog, is one of the most bizarre and fun unlockable characters inJet Set Radio. Yes, a graffiti-tagging dog on skates. Though small and hard to control at times, Potts is a fan-favorite due to his absurdity and charm. Unlocking Potts requires completing specific hidden objectives.
Gameplay Tips for Character Selection
- Adapt to the Level: Choose characters with high cornering for tight, indoor areas, and those with high speed for large, open zones.
- Match Graffiti Needs: Levels with lots of large graffiti require characters with high graffiti stats like Tab or Combo.
- Use Style Points: Trick-heavy areas benefit from agile characters like Garam or Mew, who can chain combos easily.
The Legacy of Jet Set Radio’s Characters
Over the years, the characters ofJet Set Radiohave become cultural icons within the gaming community. Their bold fashion, unique personalities, and rebellious energy continue to inspire fan art, mods, and even spiritual successors likeBomb Rush Cyberfunk. Each character represents a distinct slice of youth culture and street art expression, which has helped the game remain relevant and beloved even decades after its original release.
Whether you’re playing for high scores, completing graffiti challenges, or simply enjoying the game’s rich atmosphere, the variety of playable characters inJet Set Radiokeeps the experience fresh and personal. From Beat’s leadership to Potts’ quirky charm, every character brings something special to the streets of Tokyo-to.