Skateboarding is not something you may think would translate to videogames particularly well. However, in the 1990s, one franchise came and proved that this was in fact wildly inaccurate. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater is cited as kickstarting the videogame skateboarding trend. However, there are numerous other games that have brought their own style to the digital adaptation of the sport. So which are the best skateboarding games?
While the rise of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater saw skateboarding games reach a huge audience, there were actually a great deal of adaptations prior. Furthermore, there have been many that have capitalised on the trend since. As such, Chit Hot decided to look into the seven best skateboarding games to date.
7 Best Skateboarding Games
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2
A repackaging of the first two games in the series, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2 is a fantastic way to step into the world of videogame skateboarding. The first title was arguably the biggest skateboarding game ever released. However, it’s Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 that really changed everything.
The game uses the same game engine as its predecessor, but brought many improvements in graphics and gameplay. Most notably, it was the introduction of manuals that really changed things. Now a staple of the genre, these allowed players to chain combos between grinds and air tricks.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 also added a level editor that allows the player to create customised levels. That’s a timesink, right there.
Skate 2
2009’s Skate 2 is the most highly acclaimed of the series. In the usual skateboarding game fashion, the player can gain points by performing tricks, such as ollies, flip tricks, grinds and grabs. However, Skate 2 also featured the series’ acclaimed “Flickit” control scheme. This requires the user to move the controller’s right stick in certain patterns to perform tricks using the skateboarder’s feet.
The Skate series is a more realistic presentation than any Tony Hawk’s game. Arguably, it’s the Forza Motorsport to Tony Hawk’s Forza Horizon. Two sides of the same coin which undoubtedly allows players to choose their own preference.
OlliOlli2: XL Edition
After the success of OlliOlli, no one could argue against Roll7 developing a sequel. Unlike most skateboarding titles in this feature, the OlliOlli series features two-dimensional levels and a very basic control scheme. The player combines tricks performed with attempting to land perfectly, and failing to do so results in the game awarding only a fraction of the points that would have been earned with a perfect landing.
2015’s OlliOllie 2: Welcome to Olliwood featured an expanded combo system, including Reverts, Revert Manuals and Grind Switching. This, along with five new worlds, 50 Amateur and Pro Levels and 250 challenges presented a comprehensive package.
A third title, OlliOlli World was released in 2022. However, this latest release didn’t quite recapture the magic. It’s still great, but OlliOllie 2: XL Edition remains most players’ favourite of the series.
Skate or Die!
The oldest title in this feature by a clear margin, Skate or Die! was debuted in 1987. It originally launched for the Commodore 64 as EA’s first internally developed game. Commercial success resulted ports for the Apple II, MS-DOS, Amstrad CPC, and ZX Spectrum. It was also ported to the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) by Konami.
Players compete in five different skateboarding events, either individually or sequentially. The game featured two half-pipe events (freestyle ramp and high jump) and two downhill events (downhill race and downhill jam. The downhill jam and the downhill race could be played in two-player mode, where they were head-to-head competitions. The ramp events were single-player only.
Skate or Die! was hugely popular in it’s time. What’s more, it’s still enjoyable today.
Tony Hawk’s Underground 2
Most likely the most devise entry in this feature, Tony Hawk’s Underground was a series fans either loved or hated. Chit Hot is most certainly in the former camp.
The gameplay in Tony Hawk’s Underground 2 is similar to that of previous Tony Hawk’s games. The player skates around in a 3D environment attempting to complete various goals. Most goals involve skating on or over various objects or performing combos. New gameplay features include the Focus ability, which may be triggered only with a full Special gauge. This will cause time to slow in order to make is easier to extend a combo.
The criticisms levelled at Tony Hawk’s Underground 2 were mostly around a lack of innovation and poor story delivery. At least it was better than Tony Hawk’s Project 8 and Tony Hawk’s American Wasteland, eh?
Session: Skate Sim
The newest title featured in this article, Session: Skate Sim debuted only last year. It’s an open-ended videogame. There’s no scoring system as such, and a unique control scheme. The highlight, however? The innovative viewpoint.
Considered by many as the spiritual successor to the Skate series, Session: Skate Sim is presented in the style of a fish-eye lens from a mini DV format camera. Once a ‘session’ has been finished, players can use the in-game video editor to create a montage of their own.
The game was designed for skateboarding enthusiasts. As such, many criticised the game for being too difficult.
SkateBIRD
Despite initial appearances, SkateBIRD plays similarly to the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series. Except, of course, that player is controlling a small bird on a skateboard instead of a human. Levels take place in a similar setting to the Micro Machines videogames, with small-scaled skateparks taking place across play areas of a house. Real-life objects such as pencils, erasers, and other desktop type items provide trick opportunities.
Tricks are simple to perform and some very unrealistic combos are available. Unlike titles such as Skate and Session, SkateBIRD is definitely not angling for realism.
How do you feel about our picks for the seven best skateboarding games? Did we miss your favourite? Let us know in the comments below!
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