Tony Hawk Pro Skater
This is probably the best version of Pro Skater, if you haven't had a chance to play it yet. This game pretty much set the standard for most skateboarding games (and even some BMX titles). With your skater of choice you go through each stage meeting a series of objectives. Each stage is large in scale and offers numerous trick and stunt areas. Goals range from landing the high score to performing certain moves. Completing these missions earns you some money, which can then be used to increase your stats and buy new skateboards.
There are three competitions spread throughout the game. Where you strut your stuff and get judged on your skills. You can earn a gold, silver, or bronze medal in these stages. If you land a medal from each competition you earn a short, but sweet video of your skater doing what he or she does best. Not to mention other secrets that lie hidden in the game.
The game play is definitely there. But the graphics are a mixed bag. The stages pretty much come as-is from the PSX original. The only changes come in the slightly cleaner textures and improved character models. Plus the music videos are cool, but not really necessary. I believe Activision could have done a lot more with the graphics and getting everything upto Dreamcast standards.
Oh well, I guess you can't have everything you want. Tony Hawk remains a great game if this is your first go for the genre. And if you think this game is something, just wait till you get a hold of the sequel.
| Category | Rating | How & Why? |
| Graphics | 7 | Pretty Much the Same as the PSX version / Slightly Better Textures and Character Models / the Music Videos are Cool |
| Music | 9 | Punk Music Extravaganza / Voice-Overs and Soundeffects are Decent |
| Gameplay | 8 | Large, Open Stages with Plenty of Trick Areas / A Few Stages are Linear and Have an End / Good Variety of Moves and a Nice Selection of Skaters / Lots of Objectives to Clear and Stuff to Unlock |
| Innovation | 8 | An Acceptable Port of the PSX Original / Videos are a Nice Touch, but So Much more Could Have (& Should Have) Been Added |
| Replay | 8 | Numerous Goals to Meet / Loads of Videos, Boards, and Hidden Stuff to Uncover |
Overall 8.0
Review written by ShinjiZ for GameyPlace.com on April 25, 2001