> With the popularity of skateboarding games like Tony Hawk's Pro Skater (Dreamcast), it's a sure bet that developers will continue to push the envelope.  Sega's latest attempt at creating something fresh comes in the form of Jet Set Radio (aka Jet Grind Radio in USA) (JSR).  It's being worked on by Sega Rally 2 (Dreamcast) and Panzer Dragoon Saga (Saturn) programmers.  Aside from capitalizing on the skating frenzy, JSR injects the MTV pop culture (as if we needed reinforcement for that).

     > Basically, you inline skate the streets of neo Tokyo while "tagging" walls (spraying graffiti) to mark your territory.  Of course, rival groups will attempt to stop you, as will the police.  The gameplay is supposed to be simple so that anyone can play.  Tagging is done by completing a series of controller inputs which are displayed on screen at the appropriate time.  There are over 100 different tags that can be performed -- each results in a different design.  In addition, ten stunt moves are available to spruce things up. 

     > There are no tracks to confine your movement here -- you have complete freedom to roam the city from inside buildings, to roof tops, to sewers.  The city is bustling with activity too.  You'll see cops, pedestrians, cars, rival skaters, paratroopers, and bosses.  Once you've tagged the required spots for a given level, you'll go up against a rival member or known criminal (complete with weapons)!  Naturally, the bosses are saved for the end of a level, and your spray can is all you have to fight with.

     > All this skating action is presented in a cartoon-like manner.  Characters and objects look hand drawn with black outlines.  The texture quality and color throughout are said to be so high that no other currently available console could replicate them, including PSX2.  This new technique, which gives the game a decidedly cartoon look, is called "cel shading".

     > There are three modes I know of so far: Race, Time Attack, and Race Attack.  The US version is supposed to include an additional map -- a US location no doubt.  If you want the Japanese version, I expect the importability to be high as the gameplay isn't too complicated.