A decompilation project for Jet Set Radio Future has just been launched, opening the door to a potential native PC port. The SEGA classic from the original Xbox, which has remained inaccessible since its release in 2002, could finally find a second life thanks to the community’s efforts.

An Xbox Classic That Remained Inaccessible

Released in 2002 on the original Xbox, Jet Set Radio Future is the sequel to the cult classic Jet Set Radio on Dreamcast. The game retained the series’ distinctive cel-shaded style while offering a reworked futuristic aesthetic, a brand-new storyline, and much larger urban areas to explore on rollerblades.

Despite its cult classic status, Jet Set Radio Future never left the Xbox ecosystem. The game is only playable on the original Xbox and Xbox 360 (via backward compatibility), with no PC port and no compatibility with modern Xbox consoles. A frustrating situation for fans eager to rediscover this iconic title.

Decompilation: A Complex Process

Decompilation involves translating an executable file into high-level source code. This technique makes it possible to better understand a game’s internal workings and, in some cases, to port it to other platforms or facilitate the development of mods.

According to the project’s Codeberg page, the decompilation of Jet Set Radio Future is currently 30.6% complete. There is still a long way to go, but this first milestone is encouraging and demonstrates the community’s determination.

What Lies Ahead?

The main goal of this project is to enable a native PC port, finally making the game accessible outside the Xbox ecosystem. Once the decompilation is complete, the code could also serve as a foundation for technical improvements (higher resolution, optimized framerate) or for modding.

Enthusiasts can follow the project’s progress on Codeberg. It will likely take a great deal of patience before this work comes to fruition, but the initiative deserves recognition for helping preserve an important title in video game history.