Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater is a revolutionary series. Its polished gameplay, outstanding soundtrack, and creative levels made almost every gamer love skateboarding. Out of the blue, players all over the world learn names like Tony Hawk, Chad Muska, Kareem Campbell, and Bucky Lasek. Unfortunately, not all sequels replicated this exceptional quality. However, the premiere of THPS 3+4 is a perfect opportunity to recall the best games in this long-running franchise.
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10. Tony Hawk’s American Wasteland
- Release date: October 18, 2005
- Platforms: GameCube, PS2, Xbox, Xbox 360, PC
This installment replaced separate levels with an open world inspired by Los Angeles. The game centered on skateboarding freedom, allowing players to string creative combos across urban landscapes. With a story-driven campaign, you work to transform a run-down skate park into a fully realized skate haven, meeting eclectic characters along the way who contribute to your progress.
The tricks system was built on classic mechanics, while introducing BMX gameplay added variety to the experience. Its focus on customization allowed players to tailor their skaters’ appearance, gear, and even graffiti. A mix of diverse challenges, secret areas, and engaging side goals made players play American Wasteland for hours.
9. Tony Hawk’s Project 8
- Release date: November 7, 2006
- Platforms: Xbox, Xbox 360, PS2, PS3, PSP
Tony Hawk’s Project 8 delivered a fresh skateboarding experience with an innovative design and dynamic gameplay. The game introduced new physics and animations, creating a smooth and realistic skating feel. One of its standout features, the Nail the Trick mode, allows players to slow down time and control the board with pinpoint precision for intricate custom tricks.
The open-world structure gave players the freedom to explore an environment filled with diverse challenges and hidden surprises. You interacted with a range of NPCs who offered unique missions, testing your skills in creative ways. The integration of story progression and gameplay kept players immersed. With its vibrant visuals, responsive controls, and a focus on player expression, the game captured the essence of skateboarding culture.
8. Tony Hawk’s American Sk8land
- Release date: October 18, 2005
- Platforms: Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS
Sk8land was much more than American Wasteland’s port for handheld consoles. Despite sharing many similarities with its bigger brother, it presented some original features. For instance, its cel-shaded visuals set it apart stylistically. Its story mode leads you through a quest to build a new skatepark, with a lively cast of characters guiding your progress through challenges and objectives. The levels are designed for creativity, with plenty of ramps, rails, and secret areas that encourage experimenting with tricks and combos.
7. Tony Hawk’s Underground 2
- Release date: October 4, 2004
- Platforms: GameCube, PS2, Xbox, Game Boy Advance, PC
THPU2 combined skateboarding with a chaotic, prank-filled adventure, delivering a blend of creative gameplay and humor. The game followed a story-driven campaign where players join either Team Hawk or Team Bam on a world tour, competing to pull off wild stunts and complete over-the-top challenges in diverse global locations. It expanded the trick system with more opportunities for customization, including the ability to design unique tricks, parks, and skateboards. The introduction of the Sticker Slap and Natas Spin added new layers to gameplay, allowing for fluid trick combinations and exploration. The distinctive mix of skateboarding freedom, outrageous objectives, and a lively cast of characters gave the game its unique charm.
6. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2
- Release date: September 4, 2020
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2 wasn’t the first shot at reviving the classic THPS titles. In 2012, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater HD tried the same. Unfortunately, it was plagued by flaws and glitches. The 2020 remake avoided such drawbacks. It featured the classic levels, skaters, tricks, songs, and other features that players loved.
The reimagined environments retained their original layouts but were built using the capabilities of modern computers and consoles. The game also incorporates comprehensive customization, allowing players to create their own skater and skateparks with extensive tools and options. The addition of online multiplayer and leaderboards introduces a competitive edge. The success of THPS 1+2 restored faith in the series after the failure of THPS 5 and paved the way for THPS 3+4.
5. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater Underground
- Release date: October 27, 2003
- Platforms: PS2, Xbox, GameCube, Game Boy Advance, PC
Tony Hawk’s Underground broke new ground by introducing a story-driven campaign. Players followed a skater rising from a local sensation to a global icon. The game emphasizes personalization, allowing you to create your own character with a deep customization system that extends to tricks and skateparks.
The ability to get off your board and explore on foot was another novelty brought by THU. The environments were richly detailed and designed to encourage exploration and experimentation, with a variety of challenges and secrets scattered all over the map. The game also offers a strong narrative element, focusing on overcoming obstacles and rivalries, which gives it a more personal touch.
4. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2
- Release date: September 19, 2000
- Platforms: PS, PC, Game Boy Color, Nintendo 64, Mac OS, Dreamcast
The second installment in the series built on its predecessor by expanding gameplay depth and refining skateboarding mechanics. The introduction of the manual trick added a key element to linking combos, allowing for more creative and high-scoring runs across levels. Each environment is intricately designed, offering diverse challenges, secret areas, and interactive features that enhance exploration.
The career mode offered a progression system filled with objectives that challenge players to master new skills while unlocking features. Customization played a significant role, as THPS2 featured a skatepark editor. It’s also worth mentioning that, unlike its predecessor, THPS2 came out on PC, introducing the series to legions of new players.
3. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater
- Release date: PS, Nintendo 64, Game Boy Color, Dreamcast, N-Gage
- Platforms: September 29, 1999
Neversoft and Activision desired to reflect skateboarding’s growing popularity, with input from Tony Hawk ensuring an authentic experience. This collaboration resulted in a game that resonated with both skateboarders and gamers, leaving an enduring legacy. It presented a revolutionary experience that shaped the entire genre. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater combined gripping gameplay, tight controls, and a fast-paced trick system, allowing players to perform a variety of moves, from basic kickflips to complex combos.
The roster of professional skaters brought authenticity to the game, each featuring their own unique style and tricks. One of the game’s most notable achievements was its atmosphere, enhanced by a carefully curated soundtrack. All those elements returned with sequels spawned from the THPS’s success.
2. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4
- Release date: October 23, 2002
- Platforms: PS, PS2, Xbox, GameCube, Game Boy Advance, PC, Mac OS X, Tapwave Zodiac
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4 evolved the franchise with a more open-ended approach, giving players greater freedom to explore expansive levels and tackle objectives at their own pace. This entry introduced a Go Pro career mode, where challenges are seamlessly integrated into the world rather than being time-restricted events. The gameplay refines the existing mechanics with enhanced control and smoother transitions, allowing players to string together massive combos using an expanded trick system.
1. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3
- Release date: October 30, 2001
- Platforms: PS, PS2, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, GameCube, Xbox, Nintendo 64, Mac OS, PC
The third game pushed the series forward with refined mechanics and innovative additions, such as the introduction of the revert trick. Levels in the game are expansive and intricately designed, blending real-world inspiration with imaginative elements and offering ample opportunities for exploration and experimentation. The environments also feature dynamic, interactive elements that bring each location to life, enhancing the immersion. As of now, it’s the highest-rated Tony Hawk game with a mind-blowing Metascore of 97 (PS2).
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