The Man, the Myth, the Skateboard Legend is back — and he’s kickflipping straight into our hearts once again. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 isn’t just another remaster; it’s a full-blown celebration of everything that made the originals a cultural phenomenon in the late ’90s. Back when baggy jeans, chain wallets, and ska-punk anthems ruled the world, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater captured the thrill of skateboarding and turned it into one of the most addictive arcade experiences ever burned onto a disc.
Of course, the path back to glory hasn’t been smooth. After a string of disappointing sequels, spin-offs, and the absolute faceplant that was Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5, many fans (myself included) wondered if we’d ever see the Birdman soar again. Thankfully, Activision finally made the smartest move possible: bringing in Vicarious Visions to dust off the original magic without trying to “fix” what was never broken.
As someone who spent way too many summer days trying to nail a perfect run in Pro Skater 2 on my old PS1, this remaster feels like coming home — only now, the walls are shinier, the lighting is better, and the soundtrack still slaps just as hard.
A Return to Roots
There’s an old saying that sums up this remaster perfectly: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” And thankfully, Vicarious Visions actually listened. Instead of chasing trends or slapping on a bunch of unnecessary features, they doubled down on what made Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater legendary in the first place: fast, fluid, addictive gameplay.
The developers understood that the original games weren’t just about skateboarding — they were about flow. About stringing together impossible combos in impossible places. About hitting that perfect line through a level you know like the back of your hand.
Vicarious Visions resisted the temptation to overload the remaster with gimmicks. No bloated story mode. No RPG skill trees. No weird attempts to “modernize” what didn’t need modernizing. They knew the soul of Pro Skater was in its simplicity — just you, your board, a two-minute timer, and a playground of rails, gaps, and secret areas.
And honestly? In today’s world of sprawling open-world games and endless live-service checklists, that laser focus feels refreshingly different. Arcade-style sports games like this are a dying breed — and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 reminds us why they deserve a place in modern gaming. It’s pure, satisfying fun, built around mastery and muscle memory, and it’s exactly the shot of energy the genre needed.
Gameplay
At its core, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 plays exactly how you remember — only tighter, faster, and even more addictive than before.
The foundation is still the same brilliant formula that made the originals so iconic. You drop into a level with a two-minute timer ticking down, and the world becomes your playground. Whether you’re chaining huge combos across rails and ramps, hunting down hidden tapes, or ticking off challenges one by one, every second feels packed with opportunity. It’s that classic balance between structured goals and freeform creativity that keeps you coming back for “just one more run.”
But this isn’t just a straight-up museum piece. Vicarious Visions made a few smart upgrades under the hood to make sure it feels just right for modern players. Trick responsiveness has been sharpened up — every ollie, kickflip, and revert feels snappier and more precise. Transitions between tricks are buttery smooth, letting you keep combos alive with a rhythm that feels natural and exhilarating.
There are also subtle quality-of-life tweaks — things like slightly more forgiving bails, smoother wall rides, and snappier manuals — that make gameplay flow better without ever betraying the original spirit.
What’s incredible is how modern it feels without losing that distinct late-’90s DNA. It’s still the arcade-style, skill-based skateboarding bliss that defined a generation — just cleaned up and tuned for today’s standards. In a world of increasingly complicated games, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 keeps things simple, pure, and ridiculously fun — a reminder that sometimes, less truly is more.
Graphics and Presentation
Visually, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 pulls off something genuinely special: it makes the game look exactly how you thought it looked in your childhood memories — only now, it’s real.
Every environment has been lovingly overhauled, from the grimy halls of the School to the sun-drenched streets of Venice Beach. Lighting and textures have been dramatically upgraded, bringing a fresh vibrancy without ever feeling unfamiliar. It’s a delicate balancing act: the levels are richer, more detailed, and more alive, but they still maintain the soul of the originals. You’re not getting a sterile, overly polished remake — you’re getting a crisper, sharper version of the world you remember exploring for hours on end.
Character models have also been completely revamped, featuring a mix of classic skaters and updated looks. You can even play as an older Tony Hawk and the original roster as they are today, adding a fun touch of realism (and nostalgia) for longtime fans.
Of course, we can’t talk presentation without mentioning the soundtrack — and oh man, they nailed it. The return of absolute bangers like Goldfinger’s “Superman”, Rage Against the Machine’s “Guerrilla Radio”, alongside a handful of newer tracks strikes a near-perfect balance. It feels natural, like the playlist evolved with the times without losing its punk-rock, hip-hop-fueled heart.
It’s the little touches that seal the deal. Minor easter eggs hidden throughout levels, skaters’ realistic animations (like wiping sweat off their brows or adjusting their pads mid-run), and carefully placed homages to the originals all add up to something more than just a visual upgrade — it’s an emotional one, too. Every corner of this remaster feels built by people who genuinely loved the source material — and it shows.
The Little Things That Matter
While the core gameplay and visuals grab the headlines, it’s the little things tucked around the edges that really make Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 feel like a true labor of love.
First up, the roster of skaters absolutely delivers. You’ve got all the old-school legends — Tony Hawk, Rodney Mullen, Kareem Campbell, Elissa Steamer, and more — alongside a fresh lineup of new faces representing today’s skate scene. It’s a smart mix that bridges the gap between generations, showing just how much the culture has evolved while honoring its roots.
Customization has also leveled up. The Create-a-Skater feature lets you build your own style with a ridiculous amount of gear and outfits to unlock, while Create-a-Park offers a much beefier toolset than the original games ever dreamed of. Want to recreate your high school’s terrible stair set or build the ultimate dream park of ramps, rails, and death drops? Now you can — and it’s way easier (and more fun) than before.
For players who love a little friendly competition, the addition of online multiplayer and leaderboards is a huge win. Whether you’re just messing around with friends or chasing the top spot on a global score list, the modern online features add a new layer of replayability that fits the arcade spirit perfectly.
And speaking of replay value: there’s a satisfying drip-feed of challenges, objectives, and unlockables that keep you hooked long after your first runs. Secret skaters, new boards, cosmetic gear — it’s all there, and it constantly gives you a reason to dive back in for just one more session.
At every turn, it’s clear that Vicarious Visions didn’t just want to bring back Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater — they wanted to enhance it in every way that mattered, while keeping the heart fully intact.
Minor Wipeouts (But Nothing Major)
No remaster is perfect, and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 does have a few minor scuffs — but honestly, none of them come close to dragging down the experience.
First off, there are some slight difficulty spikes sprinkled throughout the game’s challenges. One minute you’re breezing through objectives, and the next you’re grinding your teeth trying to land a ridiculously complex combo or nail a tricky gap. It’s not game-breaking, but newer players might find themselves hitting a few frustrating walls here and there.
Online multiplayer also isn’t flawless. While it’s great to have online support at all, occasional hiccups like dropped connections or matchmaking delays can take a little shine off the otherwise smooth package.
And for the true purists out there — yes, the physics have been tweaked compared to the original PS1 versions. The slightly more forgiving handling and smoother trick chaining might feel a little different if you have those early muscle memories burned into your fingers. But honestly? These updates make the game feel better, not worse. It’s more fluid, more accessible, and way more satisfying without losing the skill-based core.
At the end of the day, these nitpicks are just that — small blips on an otherwise stellar ride.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 gets the important things right, and that’s what really counts.
Final Thoughts
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 is that rare remaster that understands exactly what made the originals special. Vicarious Visions didn’t try to reinvent the wheel – they just polished it until it shone. The result is a package that feels simultaneously fresh and familiar, delivering the same adrenaline-pumping, high-score-chasing gameplay that defined a generation, now wrapped in a gorgeous modern presentation.
What earns this remaster its near-perfect score is its unwavering commitment to preserving the soul of these classics. The buttery smooth 60FPS gameplay makes nailing those combos more satisfying than ever, while the visual upgrades make each iconic level feel alive in ways the original hardware could only dream of. That legendary soundtrack? Not just intact, but expanded with worthy new additions that perfectly complement the classics.
Minor quibbles? Sure — the lack of substantial new content might disappoint some, and purists might miss the original sound effects. But these are nitpicks in what’s otherwise a masterclass in game preservation. This isn’t just the best way to experience THPS — it might be the definitive way to experience it, period.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go attempt that School II gap again…
Verdict
Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1 + 2
Amazing
