Electronic Gaming Monthly's Top 24 Tony Hawk's Pro Skater Games

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater (Game Boy Color)

#24

“Tony Hawk is such a great home game that you'd think they would have put more time and effort into crafting the portable version. Instead, we get a run-of-the-mill skateboarding game that feels pointless, has no goal and isn't half the game its console cousins are. It's like whoever developed the game didn't even play the home version to find out what makes the game fun.” (3.8 out of 10)

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 (Game Boy Color)

#23

“The first Tony Hawk on Game Boy Color was basically a joke – it didn't capture anything from the PlayStation version. Thankfully, Natsume seems to have learned from past mistakes, as this sequel actually feels more like its PS cousin. However, it still doesn't capture that special something. But before you get your panties in a bunch asking, ‘How can a Game Boy version of a PS game ever come close to the original?' I say go play Dave Mirra BMX and GBC.” (6.5 out of 10)

Tony Hawk's Proving Ground (PlayStation 3 & Xbox 360)

#22

“The first few hours of Proving Ground are shamefully sloppy. Skating around an ugly, unimaginative city in the midst of trying to keep up with a confusing career structure isn't fun. Once you've played enough to unlock a full arsenal of moves, things improve noticeably, but the narrative and competitions rarely offer more than the typically Tony Hawk tomfoolery. Just like that, the series is a shadow of what a skateboarding game can truly be.” (6.5 out of 10)

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 (PlayStation)

#21

“I look at Tony 3 on PS1 this way: If the PS2 Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 didn't exist, would this scaled-down version still be a worthy sequel? Not really. It looks more like the first Tony Hawk's Pro Skater than the spiffier Tony 2. The revert doesn't revolutionize gameplay like Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2's manual. This is the first PS1 installment in the series not made by Neversoft, and it shows.” (7 out of 10)

Tony Hawk's American Wasteland (GameCube, PlayStation 2 & Xbox)

#20

“Tony, you are lookin' haggard. Even though I like American Wasteland's country-boy-in-the-city story line much better than last year's World Destruction Tour's, the annual sequels will drive this franchise into the ground if publisher Activision doesn't take a break, and soon. Most of the game involves building up your “skate ranch” with scavenged, repurposed urban detritus that you earn through challenges. But really, that stuff's just filler; Hawk's best moments are still all about impossibly long combos. That much never seems to change.” (7.2 out of 10)

Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam (Wii)

#19

“I'm a Downhill Jam believer. Thanks to the ease of maintaining your balance with the remote, I could happily nose-grind all day, but that not what Jam is all about. Adrenaline junkies and aerial acrobatics will no doubt satisfy their extreme-sports palate thanks to some of the most well-thought-out track designs I've come across in an action racer. Bonus points for the use of the remote's speaker for crashes and grinds. SSX vets will feel right at home with Downhill Jam.” (7.5 out of 10)

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 (Game Boy Advance)

#18

“Most of the big changes for Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 have been incorporated into this highly competent Game Boy Advance version. Unfortunately, some of the aspects that are especially cool about Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 on non-handhelds – namely the gorgeous graphics, gigantic levels and awesome level design – couldn't, intrinsically, make it to Game Boy Advance. For what it is, it's an enjoyable game that'll tide you over on the long car ride to your aunt and uncle's house, where you can, once you arrive, enjoy the real Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4.” (7.5 out of 10)

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2X (Xbox)

#17

“Depending on how you approach this game, you'll either be thrilled or a bit letdown. I say this because 2X is not a sequel, but more of a director's cut or a remix, or something in that vein. If you've never played a Tony Hawk game, 2X is a tremendous value. You get to play the ultra-smooth and prettier incarnations of Tony 1 and 2, plus the expansion levels. If you're a big fan, by all means march right down to your local shop and buy it. Chances are you'll dig wading through the ol' familiar levels on your way to the new and exciting stuff. Casual fans, however, should just rent 2X and save their cash for Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3.” (7.5 out of 10)

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater (Nintendo 64)

#16

“Tony Hawk's Pro Skater continues to amaze me, even on the N64 it's great. It's a touch smoother than the PlayStation version and maybe slightly better-looking as well. The game's strongest selling point, however, continues to be its intuitive trick system and flawless camera work. The gameplay, music, atmosphere ... it's all top-notch.” (8.4 out of 10)

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater (PlayStation)

#15

“You're not going to find a better skateboarding game than this on the PlayStation. Control is intuitive. Performing tricks is easy. And when you crash, you feel it. The courses are the best thing here. They sprawl everywhere and are crammed with trick opportunities. Practice enough and you'll get in that zone where you can build tricks on top of tricks on top of tricks. It's almost a Zen thing.” (8.4 out of 10)

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 (Game Boy Advance)

#14

“This is an unbelievable handheld version of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2. The stages are all very similar to their PlayStation big brothers, and all the moves and animation you can want have been retained in the transition from full-3D gameplay to the isometric view on the GBA. But no matter how impressive the feat is, it doesn't change the fact that the awesome control scheme loses something in the translation. In this view and with this button layout, the game is tremendously awkward at first. I foresee a lot of people getting frustrated with this game.” (8.5 out of 10)

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 (Game Boy Advance)

#13

“This game's prequel proved that Tony could be made tiny and still pull off the same sick gameplay as his big-console brothers. So this sequel packs little wow-factor – we've seen this done before. But that doesn't mean it's any less fun. The game doesn't nearly duplicate the big version's teeming, dynamic environments, but what you get is still darn good for the GBA. And Tony 3 fills all the prequel's MIA features, such as the custom skater options and the multiplayer modes.” (8.5 out of 10)

Tony Hawk's Project 8 (Xbox 360)

#12

“Finally, we got a 360 Tony Hawk game that looks like a 360 game. I appreciate the developers at Neversoft continue to experiment with the series, even though some of those experiments have gone horribly wrong. So, while Nail the Trick hasn't completely won me over, I like where they're going with it. And sure, the variety in difficulty levels is dandy, but I wish they had more fun with the level designs. I'm tired of grinding in school and city halls – give me the haunted houses and pirate ships.” (8.5 out of 10)

Tony Hawk's Underground 2 Remix (PlayStation Portable)

#11

“It's fairly shocking that a game this fast works this well on a handheld system. If you've played any of the recent Tony Hawk games, you will have exactly zero learning curves; Remix controls, plays and looks virtually identical to THUG2. Unfortunately, that means the on-foot stuff still feels somewhat stiff and out of place. Beyond that, it's every bit as addictive as its big brother, with the addition of four new levels and a couple new multiplayer games.” (8.5 out of 10)

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 (GameCube)

#10

“Amazing. As good as Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 was, 3 outdoes its predecessor in every way. Everything you like about the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater games is now super-sized to satisfy even the most insatiable skateboard appetites. Sadly, the GameCube version of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 suffers from a lack of online play, and most problematically, the GameCube controller itself. A few minutes with the flaccid analog stick, or the tiny D-pad, show you just how made for the Dual Shock 2 Tony Hawk 3 truly is.” (8.8 out of 10)

Tony Hawk's Underground 2 (PlayStation 2 & Xbox)

#9

“Another year, another Tony Hawk game with higher-than-ever expectations. Tony Hawk's Underground made waves last year with its fully revamped story mode. Tony Hawk's Underground 2's perfectly adequate and entertaining story mode, however, just doesn't, and couldn't, carry the same novelty. THUG2 is better than THUG, and in turn is the most finely polished extreme-sports game ever released. However, the degree to which it improved doesn't match the jump seen from Tony 4 to THUG, something fans should know before taking the plunge.” (8.8 out of 10)

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater (Dreamcast)

#8

“Developer Treyarch had two goals in mind when they set out to port Tony Hawk's Pro Skater: To retain every gameplay nuance and to boost the visuals to Dreamcast standards. They've succeeded on both counts. From the detailed clothes to skaters' shadows to the extended draw distance, the visuals are 900 degrees ahead of the PlayStation game's graphics. Still Tony Hawk's Pro Skater isn't worth getting if you already own the original. I just prefer playing it with the comfier PS pad.” (9 out of 10)

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 (Nintendo 64)

#7

“Maybe I've been playing too much Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 on Dreamcast, because the environments in this N64 version look blurry to me. The background draw-in is a bit pokey as well. Regardless, Neversoft and Edge of Reality have churned out another sweet Tony Hawk's Pro Skater title. It's amazing that the new two-year-old engine is still kicking butt. Fluid animation, excellent camera work and superior two-player action remain the strong points of the title. Honestly, I don't know how they can make this game play better ... it's awesome.” (9 out of 10)

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 (Xbox)

#6

To see if Tony Hawk 3 Xbox is right for you, see which category you fall into: 1) Never played Tony Hawk before. Aw, give it a try. All the fuss and hype over this series is there for a reason. The games are seriously dope, and you'll be hooked before you know it. 2) Really liked Tony Hawk 1, 2 or 2X; haven't played any version of Tony 3 yet. Well, I don't know what you're waiting for, so when this game comes out, get it right away. 3) Played Tony 3 already on another system. You may dig the Xbox version for its network play, the slightly smoother graphics, and the new stage. But these minor upgrades aren't worth the time, energy or money to give Tony 3 another run. You probably don't want to play it with the Xbox controller anyway, with its made-for-NBA-player size.” (9 out of 10)

Tony Hawk's Underground (PlayStation 2, GameCube & Xbox)

#5

“This franchise's life-affirming combo system, thrilling levels and bulletproof gameplay continue to dazzle, year after year. Tony Hawk's Underground's newfangled story mode is truly compelling. I also enjoyed getting off my deck to reach new heights – literally and figuratively with all the new combo possibilities. So why ain't I lettin' the platinum love flow? Fundamentally, Hawk hasn't evolved enough. It's basically a laundry list of goals, and the levels, though well designed and fun, feel recycled; they just don't take my breath away like last year's.” (9.3 out of 10)

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 (PlayStation 2)

#4

“I can't talk now. I've got to help a guy get his tongue unstuck from a frozen metal pole. Not what you were expecting me to say, is it? Tony 3 has taken a turn for the bizarre, but it's just what the doctor ordered. I love the levels! They're not only huge and well-designed, they're loaded with junk to do. The revert adds an infinite amount of scoring, and the land tricks are awesome. Neversoft must've made a deal with the devil, because this series refuses to cool down.” (9.3 out of 10)

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 (PlayStation 2)

#3

“I'm the world's biggest Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 fan – and I had very low expectations for 4. What else can they do to this already-refined series? Well, as I predicted, the near-perfect gameplay has stayed relatively intact, with a few tweaks that make high-scoring combos easier to achieve. But what I didn't anticipate was getting hooked to Tony yet again. The new levels, a greater variety of mini-game-like objectives and a better “unlock new stuff” system means I'll be playing for weeks to come.” (9.3 out of 10)

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 (PlayStation)

#2

“Take Tony Hawk, put in bigger levels, a park editor, a skate editor, more tricks and an even better soundtrack. A winner? Hell yes! There are some really sick combos possible in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2, thanks to the new manual system. It suffers a bit from the limited power of the PlayStation, but what game on this system doesn't? Go buy this game now ... unless you wanna wait for the Dreamcast version, like me.” (10 out of 10)

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 (Dreamcast)

#1

“Beyond the stuff you would expect to be different, like the pros, parks and music – Neversoft has cooked up some truly innovative features for Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2. By balancing on two wheels between tricks, the ‘manual' feature lets you link ‘em up like a madman. What's the difference between the PlayStation and Dreamcast versions? The draw distance is better, certain levels have much deeper and detailed backgrounds. Other than that, it's basically the same – but that's good enough. Fans of the genre or not, it's a no-brainer buy.” (10 out of 10)