Jet Grind Radio (Game Boy Advance)

GameSpot editors' review

• CNET editors' rating: 3.5 stars Very good
  Detailed editors' rating
  Overall score: 7.6 (3.5 stars)

• Reviewed by:
  Frank Provo
• Reviewed on: 07/30/2003
• Updated on: 05/17/2006
• Released on: 06/26/2003
• Originally published on GameSpot: Jet Grind Radio (Game Boy Advance) Review

Jet Grind Radio isn't your typical skating game. Instead of racking up points by performing tricks, the big reward comes from defacing property with spray paint. The ultimate goal is to take turf away from four other rival gangs by spreading your tags throughout their territory. Along the way, rival gang members, the cops, and even government helicopters will try to stop your expansion. Jet Grind Radio originally appeared on Sega's now-defunct Dreamcast console and later received a sequel on Microsoft's Xbox. The GBA version is a hybrid of the two--It combines the level structure and characters from the Dreamcast game with many of the story elements from the Xbox game, and it does an effective job.

THQ hired Vicarious Visions to develop Jet Grind Radio, the same company responsible for the handheld versions of Activision's popular Tony Hawk's Pro Skater series. Not surprisingly, Jet Grind Radio looks and plays like a simplified version of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater. Each neighborhood is rendered from an isometric viewpoint that makes 2D graphics appear three-dimensional. You can skate anywhere you like and use many of the objects in the environment to boost yourself into hard to reach areas. Skating is accomplished by pushing forward on the directional pad, while the buttons allow you to jump, spin, and perform a small selection of pre-programmed tricks. Many of the complicated moves that you'll find in the Tony Hawk series--such as manuals, re-verts, and multi-twist tricks--aren't possible here. The trick repertoire is perfectly sufficient to allow you to reach the spots you need to reach, but not nearly as diverse as what you'll find in traditional skateboarding games.

In addition to the modest trick selection, there are two key aspects that set Jet Grind Radio apart from other skating games. First, grinding is automatic in Jet Grind Radio. Whenever you land on a rail, you don't need to perform a trick to grind along it. This makes it easy to transfer onto rooftops and to spiral down rail structures, since you never have to worry about wasting time by building up speed or holding your balance. The other difference involves graffiti. Each neighborhood has numerous tag spots located all over. It's your job to pass next to them and scrawl your artwork. In some cases, this simply involves tapping the A button while skating by. Most of the time, however, you'll need to stop and press the directional pad multiple times in order to draw large, complex tags. As easy as it all sounds, you have to complete each area within a set time limit and stay away from any police and military personnel you encounter. You also need to keep your stock of paint cans full, which you do by collecting cans scattered around each level.

All in all, Jet Grind Radio is just as enjoyable on the GBA as it was on meatier consoles. The game's 15 levels grow in size and difficulty at a reasonable pace. Early on, you have free run of large open areas that give you numerous chances to perform tricks, grind, and spray your tags. By the last few levels, you'll need to transition between multiple neighborhoods during a single run and tag dozens of targets -- all while avoiding multiple SWAT teams, tanks, and helicopters. Every other level or so, you also have to deal with challenges from rival graffiti artists. If you can perform the moves they show you or beat them to a tag spot at the other end of the city, they'll join your team. Each character has different speed, stamina, and spraying abilities, which means that new teammates are always welcome.

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Jet Grind Radio (Game Boy Advance): $19.99

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