Reissued on Wednesday, July 27, 2022: Following the announcement of the PlayStation Plus lineup in August, we’re bringing this review back from the archive. The original text is:
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skaters are a series that defined the PlayStation as early as Crash Bandicoot and Tomb Raider. The game is lovingly remembered for its tight controls, licensed soundtrack, and endlessly playable levels, but the franchise has certainly been bailed out several times. But don’t be afraid, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 has returned to shape with a win.
Combining the first and second games into one package, this authentic remake is a Norrie-flavored nostalgia trip, with old fans enjoying a 900-degree spin. As soon as you start playing, the controls feel like they’re completely spotted. It may take a minute to get back to rhythm, but skating and doing ridiculous tricks is as fun as remembering 20 years ago. It really nails the handling, and frankly, it’s half the battle won. Unlike the original two games, you’ll have access to gameplay enhancements for later titles, such as spine movement and a very important return. These moves allow the combo to last for miles, and landing a huge number of tricks is, of course, very satisfying. 60 frames per second is especially comfortable, even if the loading time is quite long.
But there’s more than a nice tight control to enjoy. Each of the 19 levels of the original game is presented here in a glorious way. The visual overhaul and attention to detail in the display are great, giving a dramatic new look on most stages. Not to mention that the graphics have significantly improved the original, but great care has been taken to give each map its own identity. School and School II are now radically different from each other, Venice Beach has doubled the graffiti, and the mall now looks like something in The Last of Us. It’s a seriously impressive endeavor.
In addition, something has been added to every level. This is most noticeable in the Tony Hawk 1 stage, and every stage has more purpose to match with Tony Hawk 2. At the very least, each map has two more gaps to look for. This means that even veteran players can see and do something new. It goes without saying the hundreds of challenges that keep the completionists busy for a long time.
It leads to some structural changes that make the collection more cohesive. Each character’s stat points become a collectible scattered throughout the game, and instead of picking up cash icons, you can make money by achieving goals and defeating challenges. Also, earning XP and leveling up unlocks cosmetic items for customizing your skater. The inability to use these items with professional skaters seems a bit limited, but at least it’s a good idea to try creating a custom character. All of these different indicators may sound confusing, but they all lead to some form of rewarding the player, making the game feel more modern.
Speaking of modern times, online play is fairly seamlessly integrated. You can easily start a session with your friends, join a public lobby, or join all the multiplayer modes you remember, such as graffiti and trick attacks. Local multiplayer is also an option, allowing two skaters to enjoy split-screen actions.
In addition to creating your own skater, Create A Park is back and more robust than ever. Place all kinds of slopes, rails, and other objects to share your masterpiece with your community. But it’s not just about dropping halfpipes and fanboxes. You can use smart pieces to create truly custom parks. Putting one of these down allows you to change them in different ways, leading to a completely unique obstacle. It’s a bit tedious to use, but with some practice, you can easily create fun maps with these tools.
The soundtrack, on the other hand, contains almost every piece of music you remember, adding many new songs to your mix. It’s a shame that not all of the original songs are here, but most of the new additions fit perfectly. You can change what appears in the playlist, but I enjoyed the variety so I left it all. Some skate punk and hip hop have rap and pop music, and somehow everything is in the right tone.
The game is packed with a lot of things, so it feels a little daunting at first. As you begin your arcade skating career, you’ll see lots of challenge notifications, levels up, and more cash. There is a lot to track. However, once everything looks smart and you get used to the structure of the game, there are many reasons to keep playing. There are secret skaters to unlock, hidden areas to access and more. It almost balances the atmosphere of the old school with the latest features, so both old and new fans need to be satisfied.
Conclusion
Vicarious Visions used Tony Hawk’s ProSkater 1 + 2 to create another great remake. This brings the PS1 Classic to the modern era, offering amazing visual upgrades, solid performance, and all the features you’d expect from a game released in 2020. However, most importantly, it’s about keeping the franchise’s particular feel at its best and providing an addictive, fast-paced, arcade-like experience. Older fans know that Tony Hawk’s game is back, but new players can dive into the world of skateboarding for the first time. This game is sick, companion.
