The announcement ofTony Hawk’s Pro Skater1 and 2 Remastercaught a lot of fans of a specific age off guard. The video games that defined the childhood of an entire generation is coming back with a new coat of paint and a mostly in-tact soundtrack. It was a dream come true.
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Yet, with some time between the announcement and the release, it’s easy to get a little anxious with anticipation. These are games that kickstarted a whole slew of extreme-sports related titles. Not all of them were based on skateboarding, instead, other activities like BMX, snowboarding, and more were brought into the mix. So, while your fondness of some of those titles may vary from player to player, there are a lot of games made in a similar style that could scratch that itch. Here are just a few.
10Shaun White Skateboarding
Since theTony Hawkfranchise did so well for so long, publishers thought there was a formula to copy: put a famous extreme sports athlete on the cover and print money.Shaun White Skateboardingproved that wasn’t exactly the case.
Published byUbisoft, the game was simple, and while it lacked that special something that made theTony Hawkseries so great, it did have a soundtrack that featured Green Day, Weezer, NOFX, and more. If anything, this will make you appreciateTony Hawk’s Pro Skaterso much more.
9Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX
As games flooded the market following the success ofTony Hawk’s Pro Skater, publisher Acclaim Entertainment along with developer Z-Axis sought to offer a similar experience withDave Mirra Freestyle BMX.
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With the face of the sport as the game’s namesake, along with some big-name riders with it, the game caught the attention of players everywhere. While it didn’t reach the same heights of the franchise it was copying, or a similar game we’ll mention later in the list, this is still a fantastic game to hop back into.
8Steep
Taking a step away from skateboarding or BMX, Ubisoft’sSteeplets players live out their extreme sports fantasy in the Alps.
Giving players a number of different activities like skiing, snowboarding, and paragliding,Steepfeels different compared to other similar games in the genre. More refined and more modern than anything else on this list,Steepwas definitely overlooked upon its release in 2016.
7SSX
Released on the PlayStation 2 in 2000, the EA publishedSSXgave players a snowboarding version ofTony Hawk’s Pro Skater. While lacking in any big names attached to it, the game still managed to garner critical acclaim and earn its place as one of the best launch window titles in thePlayStation 2library. This is because the presentation was near-perfect. The controls worked well, the visuals showed off what the new generation of consoles can do, and the dynamic soundtrack would fluctuate in intensity as the action on the screen increased.
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While other titles were released in the series following this, there’s something about the first that really warms our hearts. It may be different thanTony Hawk’s Pro Skater, but it’s still a solid game that captures the same essence.
6OlliOlli2: Welcome to Olliwood
While every other game on this list will be in the third person,OlliOlli2: Welcome to Olliwoodis a 2D title that feels very different. Ditching the big open areas, players move left to right in a faster game than anything else on this list.
The game boasts unique locations, challenges, and tricks, allowing players to try out insane combos in both single and multiplayer action. It’s unique, fun, and fast, making it a must-play for anyone itching to play some skateboarding action.
5Skate It (DS)
TheNintendo DShas one of the deepest, most varied libraries of all time, yet, there aren’t many games in its library that conjure up memories of sitting in front of the TV playingTony Hawk’s Pro Skater.Skate Itdoes a pretty good job, however. While the console version of this title isn’t anything to brag about, the DS interaction, which was developed by Exient Entertainment, is pretty solid.
Using the system’s stylus to put together move combos feels really good, and it’s a nice change compared to the more traditional controls we’re accustomed to in this genre. Yet, even with a different control scheme, it’s very easy to lose hours inSkate It.
4Mat Hoffman’s Pro BMX
Piggybacking off the success of theTony Hawk’s Pro Skaterseries, BMX superstar Mat Hoffman had his name attributed to an extreme sports game of his own. Published by Activision and running on the Neversoft engine this game took everything the skateboarding franchise did and copied it to perfection.
Obviously, since it’s not a skateboarding game, there were some changes, but the combo system was great, the levels were varied and fun, and the soundtrack was fantastic. This is probably the best non-Tony Hawkgame of that era.
3Skate 3
In a way, EA’s skate franchise replacedTony Hawk’s Pro Skaterin the late 2000s. The first game in the series launched in 2007 and gave players something they were craving for years. While that was a good game in its own right, the gameplay was perfected in withSkate 3.
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Released in 2010 on the PlayStation 3 andXbox 360, the game was praised for its complex control scheme and its skateboarding utopia setting of Port Carverton. Much like theTony Hawkfranchise,Skate 3prominently featured notable names in the sport as players try to become the biggest businessmen in the skateboarding.
2Tony Hawk’s Underground
In many ways,Tony Hawk’s Undergroundwas the last great game in the franchise. Released in 2003 for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube, and Nintendo Gameboy, the Neversoft developed, Activision published game released to incredible praise.
With a story that follows two aspiring skateboarders who want to go pro and eventually drift apart, players and critics loved the heart and soul put into the story. Adding to this was a cast of colorful characters, big-name cameos, and a big open world to explore on a skateboard and on foot. It really encapsulated everything fantastic about the franchise.
1Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 & 2
These games had to make the list. Considering these are the two games that are being remastered, it’s a good bet that they’ll get you ready for the release of the upcoming game. SinceTony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 and 2 Remasteris a double pack, we decided to put these two together as well. We wouldn’t want the list to be filled withTony Hawkgames exclusively.
Regardless, these are the games that really started it all. With slick controls, satisfying combos, interesting locations, and a great soundtrack, the original twoTony Hawk’s Pro Skatergames were genre-defining, and they still hold up surprisingly well considering their age.
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