In 1999, Activision and Tony Hawk took the world by storm with the PlayStation 1 debut of Tony Hawks Pro Skater. No one really knew at the time how much of a phenomenon the series would become, not even Activision themselves could have anticipated the cultural impact the game would have in the years to come. With the recent announcement of Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3&4 coming to the Switch in July, I thought I would take a look at the series, and dive into some facts about this mammoth franchise that you may not know about. So, lace up your Vans, grab your backpack, and put on some Goldfinger as we take a look at 10 kick-flipping facts about Tony Hawks Pro Skater.
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10. The game exceeded expectations.
The first Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater game, released in 1999 revolutionized sports games with its combination of skateboarding and arcade-style gameplay, setting a new standard for extreme sports games. It also managed to shift over 2 million copies, cementing it as a mega-franchise and boosting not only Tony Hawk into superstardom, but also other skaters who appeared in the franchise like Rodney Mullen, Chad Muska, and Bam Margera.
9. Tony Hawk turned down a 500k paycheck.
Before the first game was released, Tony Hawk was living in a car and had a few sponsorships and endorsements to keep him afloat. Activision came along and offered Hawk a one-time 500k paycheck for his name and rights to his likeness. He turned down the deal despite it being an insane amount of money to him at the time, and Activision and Hawk ended up signing a new deal that proved to be far more profitable for Tony Hawk. In a podcast with “The Nine Club” Hawk reflected on how the franchise changed his life, sharing a story about an Activision Executive taking him out to lunch and telling him that the game was far more successful than projected, and handed him a $4 million dollar cheque. Tony Hawk also said, “I don’t want to downplay that… the video game changed my life.”
8. THPS2 on the Dreamcast is often revered as the best entry in the series
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 was one of the first games to be released on Sega’s Dreamcast, and it was widely praised for its enhanced graphics and smoother gameplay compared to its PlayStation counterpart. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 was the definitive version of the game due to its combination of excellent graphics, smooth controls, online play, and additional content, as well as a showcase of what the Dreamcast could achieve and was part of what made the system such a beloved cult classic in gaming history.
7. The N64 Version was the opposite…
The N64 Port of THPS has a significant number of compromises and cuts in order to deal with the limited memory. Songs were limited, and those that made the cut looped after the first chorus. Skater models and animations were shared, taking out some of their individuality, and bonus skaters were omitted. Despite these limitations, the N64 version of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater remains one of the most fondly remembered entries in the series. It provided the core gameplay that fans loved and captured the excitement of skateboarding, even on a console that was not necessarily optimized for such a fast-paced, action-packed game.
6. Bam Margera and Johnny Knoxville influenced the series.
In Tony Hawk’s Underground 2, Bam Margera and Johnny Knoxville played pivotal roles as main characters in the game’s storyline, and their inclusion added an extra layer of excitement for fans of the Jackass TV show and films. Their appearances brought a mix of humor, chaos, and outrageous antics that fit perfectly with the game’s over-the-top style. There was a world destruction tour, riding in shopping trolleys, and other shenanigans that made THUG2 so memorable.
5. Jack Black and other celebrities make an appearance in the series.
The THPS games are littered with some out there characters and cameos ranging from fictitious skaters like Spiderman and Officer Dick (to whom Jack Black lent his likeness and voice in the remake) to real-life rock stars like Billy Idol, Gene Simmons, and Lemmy Kilmister.
4. The First game was in development for less than a year.
At the time of the original game’s release, Neversoft was a relatively small company, with fewer than 30 employees working on the game. Tony Hawk consulted on the game to refine the handling and tricks mechanics, and Neversoft managed to complete the game in under a year which was a quick turnaround for such a detailed and innovative title.
3. THPS3 was the first PS2 game to feature online Multiplayer
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 was a groundbreaking release in the THPS series, as it became the first game in the franchise to feature online multiplayer for the PlayStation 2. This addition allowed players to compete against each other in various modes, including trick competitions and score challenges, extending the game’s replayability and appeal. The introduction of online play helped set a new standard for sports games and showcased the potential of the PlayStation 2’s online capabilities. It marked a significant milestone in the evolution of multiplayer gaming on consoles.
2. It was one of the first franchises to use licensed music.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater was one of the first games to integrate licensed music directly into its gameplay, which became a defining feature of the series. By featuring popular tracks from punk, rock, and alternative bands like Bad Religion and Goldfinger, the game helped set a new standard for video game soundtracks. The music not only enhanced the gaming experience but also exposed players to new artists and genres, creating a lasting impact on how games used licensed songs. This approach would later become common in many other games, particularly in sports and action titles.
1.THPS has been released on nearly every single console.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater was released on nearly every major console during its time, making it accessible to a wide range of players. From the PlayStation, Nintendo 64, and Dreamcast to the Xbox and even handheld devices like the Game Boy Advance, the game reached a diverse audience across various platforms. Its widespread release helped expand the game’s popularity, ensuring it became a staple in the gaming community. This cross-platform availability contributed to the franchise’s lasting success and broad appeal.
There you have it. Did you know about all of these facts? I actually remember owning THPS on N64 and I didn’t even hear the full version of Superman until Spotify was released! What was your favourite game in the series? or even your favourite memory of the series? Share it with me, and I’ll see you in THPS 3&4 in July!
