The Worst Tony Hawk Games
Tony Hawk's Shred Session is often cited as the worst game in the series. It was an endless runner similar to Temple Run that soft-launched in some territories in mid-2014 but was pulled from stores by November of the same year. Although I haven't played it, the cancellation suggests it wasn't well-received.
Tony Hawk’s Skate Jam was released when Activision had let go of the Tony Hawk license, and Maple Media took advantage of the opportunity. While still downloadable under the name Skate Jam - Pro Skateboarding, it's not recommended for fans of the series.
Tony Hawk’s Motion was a Nintendo DS title that used a gyro sensor for controls, which didn’t work well at all. It's best to avoid this one.
In 2009, the Java-based game Tony Hawk’s Vert was considered good for its time, but it's not worth playing now.
Tony Hawk: Ride was a motion-controlled game that required a plastic skateboard controller, which barely worked as intended. It might have been fun for kids or parents after a few drinks, but it's not worth playing seriously.
Pro Skater 5 mimicked the classic games but had poor physics and mechanics. The audio could break, and skaters would ragdoll awkwardly, making it a frustrating experience.
Pro Skater HD wasn’t well-received on launch, and while nostalgia helped, the physics were messy, and the game felt buggy. There were some interesting game modes, but overall, it fell short.
Tony Hawk: Shred was essentially more of the same as Ride, using the same skateboard controller. It worked better than Ride but still didn't meet the standards of traditional Tony Hawk games.
Tony Hawk’s Downhill Jam was a racing game focused on speed rather than tricks, making it different from other titles in the series. It's not terrible, but it doesn't offer what fans expect.
Project 8 introduced new trick mechanics and realistic physics, but it's considered one of the most forgettable games in the series.
Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground was Neversoft's last game and felt like a sad end to a legendary studio. It tried to keep up with EA's Skate but fell short.
American Wasteland is often seen as the last good Tony Hawk game. It had an open world and a skating adventure RPG feel, but it showed its age.
The Best Tony Hawk Games
The original Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater started it all, but it's not as enjoyable today due to missing moves that are now part of the series.
American Sk8land was a Nintendo DS exclusive version of American Wasteland. It was a full-fat Tony Hawk game in 3D on a handheld, with unique features and online multiplayer support.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4 removed the timer and introduced bigger stages, but it replaced dynamic challenges with less interesting missions.
Pro Skater 3 + 4 is a remake that bundles both games into one with modern visuals and controls. It's a great option for fans looking for a modern take on the classics.
Tony Hawk’s Underground was the first game to introduce a real story, allowing players to create their own skater and work their way onto the skate tour.
Pro Skater 2x is a strange but content-filled game that includes stages from the original Pro Skater and new ones. It was exclusive to the original Xbox and remains a hidden gem.
Pro Skater 1 + 2 was a successful remake that brought the series back into the spotlight. It was the first well-received Tony Hawk game in over a decade.
Underground 2 put Bam Margera in the spotlight and featured wacky stunts inspired by Jackass. It's considered the peak of the Tony Hawk storyline.
Pro Skater 2 was the game that changed everything, making Tony Hawk a household name. It was as big as Mario, Pokémon, and Call of Duty.
Pro Skater 3 is considered the best Tony Hawk game. It retained the two-minute timer, smartly designed levels, and perfected essential mechanics like reverts and lip tricks. It set the blueprint for future games in the series.
