Tony Hawk's (series)

Tony Hawk's (series). The Tony Hawk's series is a long-running and influential franchise of extreme sports video games primarily focused on skateboarding. Developed initially by Neversoft and published by Activision, the series is named after and endorsed by legendary professional skateboarder Tony Hawk. It is credited with popularizing skateboarding culture in mainstream media and defining the arcade-style sports game genre for over two decades.

History and development

The series originated in 1999 with the release of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater for the PlayStation (console) and Nintendo 64, developed by Neversoft under the direction of Activision. Inspired by the success of other extreme sports titles and the rising popularity of skateboarding, the developers aimed to create an accessible yet deep simulation of skateboarding tricks. Following the critical and commercial success of the first two titles, the franchise expanded rapidly, with Neversoft leading development through the acclaimed Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3. After the release of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4, the series began incorporating more open-world elements and narrative-driven goals, culminating in titles like Tony Hawk's Underground and Tony Hawk's American Wasteland. Later development shifted to studios like Robomodo for the ill-received Tony Hawk: Ride and Tony Hawk: Shred, which utilized peripheral skateboard controllers. The franchise was revitalized in 2020 when Vicarious Visions developed the well-received remake, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2.

Gameplay and mechanics

Core gameplay revolves around performing intricate skateboarding tricks and combos to achieve high scores within time-limited sessions or specific objectives. The control scheme, famously built around the use of face buttons on the PlayStation (console) controller to perform different flip and grab tricks, introduced the innovative "combo" system where tricks could be linked together for multiplier bonuses. Central to the experience is the "manual" trick, introduced in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2, which allowed players to balance on two wheels to extend combos indefinitely. Later games added mechanics like the "revert" in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 for linking vert ramp tricks to ground combos, the "spine transfer, and the ability to dismount the skateboard in the Tony Hawk's Underground'' sub-series. Game modes have consistently included the career-oriented "Career Mode", the score-attack "Free Skate", and the competitive two-player split-screen mode, alongside creative park editors in many installments.

Games in the series

The mainline series began with Tony Hawk's Pro Skater in 1999, followed by its direct sequels Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3, and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4. The narrative-focused Tony Hawk's Underground and Tony Hawk's Underground 2 marked a significant shift in tone. Subsequent titles included Tony Hawk's American Wasteland, Tony Hawk's Project 8, and Tony Hawk's Proving Ground. The series also includes peripheral-based games like Tony Hawk: Ride and Tony Hawk: Shred, as well as numerous handheld titles developed by Vicarious Visions for the Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS. Spin-offs include the crossover Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD and the definitive remake Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 by Vicarious Visions. Many titles received ports to systems like the Dreamcast, Xbox (console), and GameCube.

Cultural impact and legacy

The series had a profound impact on popular culture, introducing skateboarding and its associated punk rock and hip hop music to a global audience. Its soundtracks, featuring bands like Goldfinger (band), Rage Against the Machine, and Dead Kennedys, are celebrated for defining a musical era for a generation of gamers. The franchise elevated the profiles of professional skaters like Tony Hawk, Bam Margera, and Bob Burnquist, making them household names. It inspired numerous clones and competitors, such as the Jet Set Radio and Skate (video game series) franchises, while its control scheme became the archetype for arcade sports games. The series is frequently cited in discussions of video game preservation and nostalgia, with its levels and mechanics deeply ingrained in gaming history.

Reception and awards

The series, particularly its early entries, received universal critical acclaim and numerous awards. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 holds a rare aggregate score and is often listed among the greatest video games of all time by publications like IGN and GameSpot. The franchise has won multiple awards from the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences and Spike Video Game Awards. Later entries, however, such as Tony Hawk: Ride, were met with negative reviews criticizing their motion controls and departure from core gameplay. The 2020 remake, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2, was praised as a triumphant return to form, winning accolades for its faithful recreation and modernization. Commercially, the series has sold tens of millions of copies worldwide, making it one of Activision's most successful franchises.

Category:Tony Hawk's (series) Category:Extreme sports video game series Category:Skateboarding video games Category:Activision franchises