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Jet Grind Radio gba Game Reviews
Jet Grind Radio
Critic Score
Metascore: 74 Metascore out of 100
User Score  
9.3 out of 10
based on 22 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
based on 3 votes
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Rate this game

The hip-hop Dreamcast hit makes it·s way to the Game Boy Advance. Your favorite skaters from Jet Grind Radio return in true 3D blasting through exciting and diverse levels. Grab your spray cans and hit the streets painting the town in your colors while avoiding the cops and rival gangs. It's not easy being a kid in Tokyo but with your Overdrive Magnetic-Motor Skates and a need for self-expression you're on your way to making the town yours! Multiple game modes including one-on-one races, freestyle skating for points, timed tagging sessions and the single player mission based mode. [THQ]

PUBLISHER: THQ / Sega
DEVELOPER: Vicarious Visions
GENRE(S): Action
PLAYERS: 4
ESRB RATING: E (Everyone)
RELEASE DATE: June 24, 2003

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

91
Game Chronicles
With its emphasis on grinding and painting rather than going for crazy tricks and high scores, there is something fresh about the gameplay.
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85
IGN
Still great fun on the Game Boy Advance...even if isn't quite as accessible in its isometric perspective as it is on the Dreamcast with its fully 3D environments.
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85
GameZone
Despite a few little problems, such as judging the distance of your jumps, Jet Grind Radio is a fun title with addictive gameplay.
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80
Game Over Online
With an addictive soundtrack and a near verbatim translation of the story and gameplay, you'll find that all the praise Jet Grind Radio got for the Dreamcast is well deserved.
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80
GamePro
More than a decent scaling down of a seminal game, Jet Grind Radio is an accomplished and guaranteed time-killer.
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80
Play Magazine
The iso-view takes a little getting used to, as does the point-and-go control, but once you're in the groove it's all good, from the animation to the super cool cutscenes and familiar level design. [Apr 2003, p.64]
80
Cheat Code Central
From the tight controls to the challenging gameplay and including many tunes from the original this game is highly recommended for any GBA players that want some serious 'tude with their game.
80
Village Voice
What's funner than a hip-hop skateboarding game? Why, a Japanese hip-hop skateboarding game, of course!
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80
Gamer's Hell
The fast paced gameplay and looks of the original are still here. Also, the multiplayer and graffiti edit modes give it a good lasting appeal.
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80
Nintendojo
Although it can be tough to get into, this is actually a pretty decent conversion of a game that really shouldn't play this well on a Game Boy system.
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76
GameSpot
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.
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75
GameNow
Since it uses the same engine as the GBA "Tony Hawk" games, the skaing and grinding action works very well. [July 2003, p.52]
75
Gaming Age
A tremendous translation of the home console versions.
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75
Nintendophiles
It lasts for about 6-10 hours, but it’s an interesting game and you will want to play it over.
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71
GameSpy
An excellent downsizing of a cutting-edge game for a lesser platform, retaining the essential gameplay of the original while deftly imitating its audiovisual aspects.
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70
Game Informer
All told, this GBA edition is done well enough that fans of the series will be satisfied with the on-the-go experience, but don't expect to be blown away. [Sept 2003, p.125]
62
Nintendo Power
The stylized graphics have a love-them-or-hate-them quality, but the animation is smooth and the music grooves. [Sept 2003, p.137]
60
G4 TV
The questionable control layout makes actually enjoying the good points harder than it should be.
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60
All Game Guide
Despite the problems, players will likely find themselves coming back to the game, because it is just as entertaining as it is frustrating.
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60
TotalGames.net
The rather twitchy controls don’t help matters either, forcing you to persevere through, rather than enjoy, the game.
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60
Gamestyle
A title for the fans to be sure, but anyone else seeking that graffiti buzz should look to the Dreamcast (or Xbox) to really understand, understand the concept of (Jet Set Radio) love.
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40
Edge Magazine
Faithful as a bloodhound to the Dreamcast original, this GBA port is a stunning example of when authenticity ought to be sacrificed to utility. This is not a lazy port. But the loyalty of the conversion is ill-advised. [Sept 2003]

What Our Users Said

Vote Now! The average user rating for this game is 9.3 (out of 10) based on 3 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Dav B. gave it an 8:
JGR is and always has been one of the most original games ever made. The graffitti system is really entertaining, especially when you can make your own designs. The only complaint is that the learning curve is a bit steep (but manageable). Other than that, JGR is one of the best games for the GBA in a while. I'm giving it an 8, but that's because most GBA titles don't usually rise above a 7 for me.

David M. gave it a 10:
As a remake of the popular DreamCast/XBox game, Jet Grind Radio takes its graffiti to a new level now that it has come to GBA, in a miniature/transportable format.

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