What is the best Tony Hawk game of all time?
Tony Hawk's games revolutionised skateboarding by turning an underground sport into a global phenomenon. With their blend of arcade-style action, thrilling tricks, and unforgettable soundtracks, these games left an equally lasting impact on gamers, showcasing what was possible as newer generations of consoles appeared from the millennium onwards. Here's a rundown of the top ten best Tony Hawk games of all time, showcasing why each one deserves a spot on this list.
10. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD (2012)
A nostalgia trip for fans of the original two games, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD brought back some of the most iconic levels and remastered them for a new generation. While it didn't capture the magic of the originals perfectly, it served as a loving homage to the series' early days. The game rekindled interest in the franchise, reminding players why they fell in love with Tony Hawk games in the first place.
9. Tony Hawk's American Wasteland (2005)
American Wasteland was ambitious, offering an open-world experience without loading screens, a bold move at the time. Set in Los Angeles, the game allowed players to explore a massive, interconnected city while completing missions and skating to their heart's content. Though not as polished as some earlier titles, its scope and freedom made it a standout entry in the series.
8. Tony Hawk's Project 8 (2006)
Project 8 (so named because it was the eight entry in the series) was an attempt to reboot the series with a more realistic physics engine and a focus on immersive gameplay. It featured a new "Nail the Trick" mode, allowing players to control each foot independently for more precise tricks. While it wasn't as beloved as the earlier games, it offered a fresh take on the franchise, showing that the series could evolve while maintaining its core appeal.
7. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 (2002)
With Pro Skater 4, the series began to experiment with more open-ended objectives and larger, more intricate levels. It was the last game in the series to follow the traditional Pro Skater format before the shift to Underground. This game refined the series’ mechanics to their peak, offering some of the most challenging and rewarding gameplay in the franchise. Its emphasis on longer combos and precise control made it a favourite among hardcore fans.
6. Tony Hawk's Underground 2 (2004)
Underground 2 doubled down on the outrageous stunts and antics introduced in the first Underground game, blending them with a touch of mayhem. The game took players on a world tour, with locations like Barcelona and Berlin, adding variety and excitement to the gameplay. Although it had a wackier tone, it still delivered the solid skateboarding mechanics that made the series so well-loved.
5. Tony Hawk's Proving Ground (2007)
The last major entry before the series' decline, Proving Ground was a solid game that mixed elements from earlier titles with new features like different career paths and the ability to create custom video clips. It didn't innovate as much as its predecessors, but it provided a deep and varied skateboarding experience that catered to both casual players and hardcore fans.
4. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 (2001)
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 took the series to new heights, literally and figuratively, with the introduction of the "revert" mechanic, allowing players to chain together massive combos. This game boasted some of the most memorable levels in the series, like the airport and Los Angeles. It also featured online multiplayer, a first for the franchise, allowing players to compete against each other in a way that was revolutionary at the time.
3. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater (1999)
The original Tony Hawk's Pro Skater laid the foundation for the franchise and is revered for its groundbreaking approach to skateboarding games. Before this, skateboarding titles were clunky and lacked fluidity. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater brought fast-paced action, a killer soundtrack, and intuitive controls that made pulling off tricks a joy. It may not have the refinements of later titles, but its legacy as the game that started it all is undeniable.
2. Tony Hawk's Underground (2003)
Tony Hawk's Underground was a significant shift in the series, introducing a story-driven campaign where you could create your skater and rise from a local nobody to a professional skateboarder. This game offered unprecedented customisation, from building your skate park to crafting your tricks. It retained the excellent gameplay of its predecessors while adding a layer of depth and personalisation that made it stand out, with this setting the template for several future entries.
1. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 (2000)
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 is widely considered to be a masterpiece. It took everything great about the original and refined it to near perfection. The game introduced the "manual" trick, allowing players to link combos in creative ways. Its levels were more complex, its soundtrack
iconic, and its gameplay so polished that it remains the gold standard for skateboarding games. With all that in its favour, it’s easy to see why many fans still regard it as the definitive Tony Hawk experience.
Choosing the best Tony Hawk game: a rundown of an iconic gaming series
The Tony Hawk series has had its ups and downs, but its impact on gaming is undeniable. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 remains the pinnacle of the series, with its perfect blend of gameplay, design, and nostalgia. Each game on this list, however, brought something unique to the table, contributing to the rich legacy of Tony Hawk games that continues to resonate with players today. Whether you're a long-time fan or new to the series, these games offer some of the best skateboarding experiences you can find in the gaming world.
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