As someone who grew up in the golden age of skateboarding games, I can confidently say that my personal favorite from the lot has to be Skate 3. Now, I know what some might say – “How could you forget about Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2?” Well, let me tell ya, it was tough, but I had to make a choice, and Skate 3 just took the cake for me.
In my thirties, I continue to take to the skatepark – skateboarding isn’t merely an enjoyable pastime for me; it verges on an all-consuming passion.
My fascination with this skill has expanded beyond the physical world, resulting in countless hours practicing virtual skateboard tricks like kickflips, 50-50s, and melon grabs. Even when I’m not on the board, I find myself craving more.
This gaming sub-genre dates back to the early days of Skate or Die and has grown significantly, becoming one of the cherished aspects of sports gaming over the years.
To demonstrate the greatness of these games throughout the years, we plan to compile a list of the top skating games available. This way, you can confidently jump onto your board and take a thrilling ride, knowing that you’re in for an exhilarating experience.
15 Skatebird
Become The Bird(Man)
To start off, we have an amusing introduction that, although it has noticeable imperfections, turns out to be quite entertaining. Skatebird resembles a traditional THPS game, but with a unique twist – you control a bird skating through different suburban environments.
As a gamer, I’ll be tackling several missions reminiscent of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4, meaning there won’t be a relentless timer counting down. Given the blocky control system, it’s clear they made the right decision in not including a time limit, as it would have been quite harsh otherwise.
The writing is rather comical and irrelevant, making each interaction with your avian brethren enjoyable, and naturally, there’s a whole bunch of cute cosmetic items, too.
As a fellow gamer, let me share my two cents on this game. If you’re hunting for a polished, high-quality gaming experience, this might not be your cup of tea. However, if you’re in the mood for some lighthearted arcade skating action that doesn’t take itself too seriously, buckle up! This game is a blast!
14 Thirsty Suitors
Skate & Date
If you’re looking for an opportunity to jump in without specific requirements, here it is! Thirsty Suitors, in essence, functions like a skating game because moving from one point to another is achieved through skating.
Fundamentally, this game is an emotionally charged narrative epic produced by Annapurna, centered around your character’s strained relationships in their small hometown. Mending the fences you’ve broken is crucial, as your exceptional skating skills alone won’t be enough to heal those wounds.
Viewed from a skater’s perspective, Thirsty Suitors provides smooth, easily grasped controls, but puts your proficiency in these controls to the limit by presenting unique challenges specifically designed for the neighborhood skatepark.
This game isn’t just a turn-based RPG; it’s also a cooking simulation, a dating simulator, and offers many other experiences. If you’re looking for a game that provides a mix of different genres, this one fits the bill perfectly.
13 Tanuki Sunset
A Radical Raccoon
Every skater dreams of making the cover of a big magazine like Thrasher, and as it turns out, this level of ambition translates to the animal kingdom too.
In the captivating game, Tanuki Sunset, I find myself slipping into the role of a swift-moving, speed-loving Tanuki with dreams of reaching the limelight in downhill skating. To make this dream a reality, it’s essential to keep moving at high speeds, grabbing impressive airtime, and skillfully dodging obstacles that could otherwise turn me into roadkill.
Visually, it has a vibrant, vaporwave style reminiscent of neon, accompanied by dreamy crystal imagery that gives the sensation of a daydream. To complete this surreal experience, the background music is an 80s-inspired soundtrack, making every run thrilling and exhilarating.
This game plays similar to an unending race, making it incredibly intuitive and effortless to start playing. If you’re seeking something fast, simple, yet hard to put down, then look no further!
12 Helskate
Hell. L.A. Same Thing
We’re making an exception to add a game still in development phase, given that some of the same brilliant minds behind the success of THUG are involved. It would be unfair not to spotlight this title.
Essentially, Helskate represents a slight adjustment to the THPS (Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater) formula, transforming it into an action RPG with Roguelike elements, set in the underworld. In essence, it’s skateboarding through Hades – doesn’t that sound intriguing?
It appears quite a challenge, and indeed it is. Yet, it flows smoothly due to the moves you execute serving both as attacks and combinations. Therefore, to vanquish demons, the most effective approach would be to excite the audience and land trick after flawless trick.
Even the best skaters eventually bail, and death is a natural part of this Roguelike. But, if you can survive the heat long enough, you just might become the Beelzebub Birdman.
11 Skate
The Start of Something Special
It might feel a little strange to see the Skate series so low on this list, but as some may remember, the original title hadn’t quite nailed the format just yet.
The game “Skate” served as an innovative prototype. Not only was it successful, but it offered gamers a more authentic and immersive skating adventure. It introduced a groundbreaking control system that enabled players to manage both feet on the board and perform tricks in real-time.
As a seasoned skateboarder with decades of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that this game was a true revolution for me. The incorporation of numerous contemporary skaters and an impressively open-ended semi-world to skate in truly heightened its authenticity, making it feel like I was back on the streets again, grinding rails and catching air off ramps just as I did in my youth. This game brought back memories and allowed me to relive those moments all over again, and for that, it will always hold a special place in my heart.
Despite its limited advancement, the game is hindered by outdated graphics that have not held up over time, inadequate park creation and multiplayer features, and a straightforward narrative development, which has kept it from climbing higher on this ranking.
10 Skater XL
A Push For Realism
For quite some time now, a gap has persisted within the skateboarding video game genre due to the inactivity of both the Skate and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series.
Skater XL is a game that has attempted to fill a niche once occupied by a few daring titles, and one that managed this with a degree of success. Unlike traditional arcade skaters, Skater XL aims to provide a more authentic skating simulation experience.
This game performs decently, offering a playground-style environment for skating, capturing segments, and essentially encouraging free styling at your leisure. Moreover, it’s rich in maps, some designed by the developers themselves and others contributed by the modding community, making it a game that continues to deliver content over time.
Due to the absence of personalized physics settings and a storyline that’s not detailed, the game may provide different experiences for many users.
9 Tony Hawk’s Project 8
Tony’s Swansong
This list includes the initial Tony Hawk game that deserves recognition, unfortunately marking the last distinct installment of the series worthy of note. However, it remains a solid farewell, should that’s how it will always be perceived.
Title Project 8 implies that you begin with no prior reputation when Tony arrives in town. However, once you learn about his plan to assemble a team for an extreme skating group, it becomes essential for you to give an outstanding performance on your skateboard to establish a strong identity for yourself.
This game offers an innovative twist on the classic skateboarding formula of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater (THPS), and the highlight is a special focus mode that allows for slow-motion execution of intricate skate tricks.
But it still has all the staples of the series we have come to love over the years. It definitely caters to the THUG era rather than the THPS purists. But all in all, it’s one well worth revisiting if you missed out.
8 OlliOlli World
High Octane Arcade Bliss
It might appear as though the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater (THPS) series reigns supreme in the realm of arcade skate action, but in reality, not many studios capture arcade-style action quite like Roll7.
It’s no wonder that the OlliOlli series has found a special spot in the hearts of many skaters. Unlike most skating games, OlliOlli is a 2D side-scrolling game, with elements similar to Sonic titles where executing tricks while moving through stages at high speeds is crucial.
There’s something devilishly addictive about OlliOlli and this is very much the case with the latest entry which offers the finest showcase of what the series has to offer.
It offers an exhilarating, adrenaline-pumping, rollercoaster ride of excitement that you should definitely experience if you haven’t already.
Although it doesn’t involve ice like traditional skating games due to the roller skates strapped onto your feet, I highly recommend Rollerdrome for fans of OlliOlli and THPS (Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater) series. You won’t regret giving it a try!
7 Bomb Rush Cyberfunk
Jet Set Radio, Eat Your Heart Out
Though it’s possible to navigate using rollerblades or BMX bikes in Bomb Rush Cyberfunk, for the sake of this list, we’ll ignore that option and include another instead.
Primarily, it’s worth noting that this game, being a spiritual sequel to Jet Set Radio, offers an exceptional, smooth gaming experience that feels similar to a skating game. However, whether you’re on a bike or simply rolling about, the gameplay maintains its flow.
Title boasts an exceptional soundtrack and cityscapes akin to the initial PlayStation 2 days, yet fortunately, its gameplay incorporates a contemporary twist that makes each experience incredibly rewarding.
If you’re drawn to games where maintaining a continuous line takes priority over many others and smoothness is key, then Bomb Rush Cyberfunk could be just what you’re looking for. For those who see every ledge, wall, or rail as an opportunity to expand their urban playground, this game has a wealth of possibilities waiting for you.
6 Tony Hawks American Wasteland
Skating is PUNK!
To the young generation of gamers in the chat, who have been raised on a continuous flow of games featuring open-world formats, it would be hard to imagine otherwise.
In the early 21st century, the idea of developing an open-world game seemed almost impossible for many creators, and beyond the Grand Theft Auto series and just a few exceptions, it wasn’t often pursued.
However, it wasn’t a challenge that Neversoft would shy away from.
In this version of the series, powered by punk spirit, you’ll find an expansive, seamless world without any loading screens. It promises a continuous, dynamic environment for exploration, without boundaries or restrictions.
Additionally, the game boasted an engaging narrative, allowing players to gradually construct a skate paradise throughout their playtime, along with numerous other features.
This movie is often considered a timeless masterpiece, yet it might not receive the recognition it truly merits. I strongly recommend you to take a second look at this overlooked treasure.
5 Skate 2
Skateboarding IS a Crime!
The initial EA Skate laid a fantastic foundation for the sequence, but it was in Skate 2 where the series truly got its balance and started to establish itself as the premier skating series during that time period.
In its sequel, Skate 2 retained many elements that contributed to the success of the original game, including an expansive world for exploration and a storyline that resonated with skateboarding culture.
Instead, it was these distinct elements that set the sequel apart: A shift towards exaggerated gameplay for an adrenaline rush, an innovative park editor, multiplayer options, and smooth transitions with fresh trick combinations to flawlessly connect runs.
To put it another way, this particular game had some issues. It tipped the balance too much towards ‘skating-restricted zones’, which made certain spots difficult to navigate on skates. Additionally, pedestrians kept getting in your path, and although the narrative offered a higher level of production quality, it appeared to be somewhat lacking in depth.
But all in all, this was the game that signaled Skate would be a beloved series for years to come.
4 Session: Skate Sim
As True To Life As It Gets
In simpler terms, Session stands as a rival to games such as Skater XL, delivering an accurate, lifelike skate simulation that emphasizes challenging, realistic, and satisfying skating gameplay.
In simpler terms, this implies that each trick, grind, and jump will seem like a significant obstacle to surpass, and you won’t be performing any McTwist maneuvers over helicopters in this particular scenario.
Instead, your role will shift towards making a reputation by demolishing genuine locations scattered throughout New York City, Philadelphia, and San Francisco. Moreover, the extra Downloadable Content (DLC) maps offer an opportunity for travel to cities like Paris, Prague, and Luxembourg, among others.
In simpler terms, “Session” is a challenging game that doesn’t hold back, so if you’re not prepared to invest your time and energy into mastering it, you might end up having a frustrating experience.
This game was crafted by skaters specifically for skaters, and let me tell you, nailing a move flawlessly in this game will give you an experience remarkably similar to skating in a real park – almost like being there yourself, minus the actual physical movement.
3 Tony Hawks Underground 2
We’re Going On Tour
Some individuals might consider this debatable, given that certain Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater (THPS) devotees view the THUG (Underground) series as veering off course in numerous aspects, which could be seen as a departure from the original spirit of the game.
The plot was excessively exaggerated and full of humor reminiscent of CKY/Jackass, rather than authentic skateboarding culture. However, disregarding that, it’s hard to argue against the fact that Tony Hawk’s Underground 2 is likely the most thrilling and enjoyable game in the entire series.
This tour offered fans the chance to travel globally and skate alongside their favorite skaters from that era. The journey was exciting, the absurd storyline added to the fun, and even those not particularly interested had the option of a classic mode, where THPS purists could set a two-minute timer on the screen for a more arcade-style experience.
Looking back now, some of this content might make you wince. However, if you were here at the time, like me, you would have realized it was something unique and extraordinary. If you don’t see it that way, then go ahead and press triangle to increase your excitement level!
2 Tony Hawks Pro Skater 1 + 2
A New Coat Of Paint
To ensure my list remained concise, I vowed to feature just one Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater game. Choosing the right one was challenging, as they all have their unique charm. Eventually, I decided that the updated version would make the ideal choice to headline the list.
This is due to the fact that it encompasses the highest quality features from the initial two Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater games, yet has been updated to align with current specifications.
Visually, there’s a big leap, but when it comes to gameplay, it’s quite similar to the formula that made the series popular, which means this is a loyal and enjoyable remake.
Unfortunately, it seems like Activision isn’t too keen on re-creating the entire Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series. Still, it’s nice that we had a chance to watch Birdman take flight once more, following the setback of THPS5.
1 Skate 3
The Benchmark For Virtual Skating
Let me clarify that Skate wouldn’t be here without the THPS series, and for that reason, it deserves immense respect. Yet, when it comes to superior quality and enjoyable gameplay in skateboarding games, it’s challenging not to acknowledge that Skate 3 represents the pinnacle of the genre as we know it today.
For the time being, this is considered the best of the bunch, although things might shift when a soft reboot of the series occurs.
Skate 3 masterfully combines the finest aspects from its predecessors, striking a harmonious balance between realism and excitement. It delivers an engaging and authentic skate experience, yet also caters to the over-the-top, daring, and seemingly impossible stunts that the series is renowned for.
In this game, I’ve found an exceptional blend of top-notch map creation, an unrivaled park editor, seamless multiplayer features – all part of the series’ legacy – and a compelling narrative that sees Jason Lee stepping into the shoes of the legendary Coach Frank.
It all comes together masterfully, which is perhaps why Skate 3 is still so beloved to this day.
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2024-10-30 16:10