Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 25th Anniversary
The original Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater came out September 29 1999. The franchise’s 25th anniversary is nearly upon us, and COGconnected thought it would be a great time to look back at its impact. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater didn’t just affect the video game industry, it was also a really important part of the popularity of skate culture. The series had 18 games, and even more spin-offs. But the first two games were the ones that really changed the world.
Skateboarding has existed since the 1940s. It had an increase in popularity in the 1970s when skate parks were built all over North America. The sport saw major entry into popular culture in the late 1990s. In 1995, ESPN broadcast the X Games, which were extreme sports competitions that included skateboarding, BMX, snowboarding, motocross, etc. Also in 1995, the Warped Tour began, which was a travelling outdoor festival that featured punk bands playing from morning until night. CKY and eventually Jackass blew up the home skate/ stunt video scene. And Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater introduced the underground skateboarding scene to the mainstream video game audience. All of these elements came together to create a perfect storm.
Developed by Neversoft
The original Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater games were developed by Neversoft. The first game they ever developed from the ground up was Apocalypse, a somewhat generic third person shooter that starred Bruce Willis. That game had mediocre reviews and sales, but Neversoft used the game’s engine to develop the first THPS game. The gameplay had the player constantly pushing forward, as they pulled off tricks for points. The levels were open environments that combined vertical ramps and rail grinding. It doesn’t sound like much today, but this gameplay formula/ physics engine impacted countless games afterwards.
Another really important part of the original Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater’s impact was its soundtrack. The game featured songs, with input from Tony Hawk himself, to emulate the music played at skate parks. It was heavy on punk and alt rock, and featured bands like The Dead Kennedys, The Vandals, Primus, and Suicidal Tendencies. But the shining star of THPS’ soundtrack was “Superman” by Goldfinger. It’s a silly ska song that stands out amongst the other harsher tracks. We used to play the game for hours, just to be able to hear the song a few times. Remember this was a time, when people were slaves to what the radio played, and what CDs their friends bought. Playing THPS was like having access to a really great compilation CD. MP3 sharing hadn’t even caught on when the first game was released.
Available for Everything
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater was mainly played on the original PlayStation and the N64, where it sold over 3 million and 1 million copies respectively. It was also ported/ remade for the Sega Dreamcast, GameBoy Color, and Nokia N-Gage. For those who don’t know, the N-Gage was like a Blackberry that had a focus on games. A year after THPS came out, the second game was released on similar systems, but wisely traded the N-Gage version for GameBoy Advance and home computer versions.
Neversoft built up some goodwill in the video game world after Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater and after their excellent Spider-Man game that followed soon after. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 released to massive acclaim, and similar sales to the original game. This new game was an improvement in every conceivable way. It had new modes, including a career mode with minor RPG elements, new multiplayer options, a level editor, and a free skate mode without objectives. Spider-Man was also a secret unlockable character. The new soundtrack had more songs, and featured a new focus on hip hop and nu metal. Standout tracks include Run DMC & Anthrax’s “Bring The Noise” and Powerman 5000’s “When World’s Collide”.
Real-Life Connections
Another important aspect of the games is that they featured real skateboarders and environments. They were a hub of information for anyone curious about skate culture and music. Seeing someone like Eric Koston in a Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater game, then seeing him in a Jackass sketch, made him an instant star in the minds of impressionable kids. The game levels showed off areas that were major hubs for the skate community. As an 18 year old metal kid from Vancouver, who went to Warped Tour every year, it felt really validating to see my city as the Slam City Jam in Tony Hawk’s Underground.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater didn’t evolve much past this second series entry. The only major gameplay change was in 2003’s Tony Hawk Underground. This fifth mainline entry took heavy influence from Grand Theft Auto III. The environments were much larger, and the player could get off their board, walk around, and get in vehicles. The quick turnaround between games that brought the series early success eventually bit the franchise in the ass though. There were 10 games released between Tony Hawk Underground, and the game labelled Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5. There were also lots of spin-offs, like Matt Hoffman’s Pro BMX, and Kelly Slater’s Pro Surfer. Unfortunately, THPS 5 was poorly received by fans and critics, and for several years the series went on hiatus.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2
A remaster of the first two games in the series, called Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 was released for all modern consoles and PC in 2020. It was loved by critics and fans, and sold over 1 million copies in its first two weeks. It merged the content of the first two games into one game, so people can play levels will all the features of THPS 2, while also getting to listen to “Superman” by Goldfinger.
There’s never been a better time to check out Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater. The remaster is readily available (and often on sale). Skate culture has transitioned from subculture to pop culture. And with huge music festivals like When We Were Young and Sick New World almost exclusively featuring music from the late 90s/ early 2000s, it’s never been cooler to drink in the era. Thank you Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater! There may have been an oversaturation of titles, but the originals still shine brightly!
How has Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater affected your life? What’s your favorite game in the series? Let us know in the comments.
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