Where to Start · Tony Hawk
Where to Start with Tony Hawk
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater is Activision's skateboarding game franchise running since 1999 — the series that brought skateboarding culture to mainstream gaming, produced some of the most iconic licensed soundtracks in gaming history, and defined the score-attack game genre for its era. The series peaked in the early 2000s with the first four entries, declined significantly after Underground 2, and was revived spectacularly with Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 in 2020.
There is no story continuity — each game is its own set of levels and skaters. The question is which version of the formula you want.
If you only play one Tony Hawk game
Play Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 (2020). It is the definitive remaster of the two best games in the series — every level from THPS1 and THPS2 rebuilt from scratch with modern visuals, the complete roster of original skaters plus additions, and a create-a-skater and create-a-park mode. The soundtrack preserves the original licensed tracks (Goldfinger, Dead Kennedys, Rage Against the Machine, Anthrax) while adding new ones. Everything that made the originals iconic is present and improved. Available on PS4/PS5/Xbox/Switch/PC.
The original Pro Skater 1 and 2
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater (1999, PS1) is the original — the Warehouse, School, Mall, and Downhill Jam as iconic levels, the two-minute run structure, and the five goals per level (collect SKATE letters, find the secret tape, reach score thresholds, complete specific tricks). THPS2 (2000) added the manual — a flat ground trick connecting combos — and is widely considered the better game. Both are superseded by the 1+2 remaster in every way but the originals have their nostalgic champions.
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 and 4
THPS3 (2001) is the peak of the classic formula — the revert added to connect half-pipe combos to manuals, excellent level design including Airport and Canada, and the most refined two-minute run structure. Available on PS2/GameCube/Xbox physical. THPS4 (2002) removed the time limit in favour of a free skate structure with NPCs giving missions — a divisive change that divided the fanbase. Both are physical-only on PS2 era hardware.
Underground era
Tony Hawk's Underground (2003) added a story mode and first-person walking — you create a skater and follow a narrative. The story is thin but the gameplay is the series at its most generous. Underground 2 (2004) went satirical and absurd. Both are on PS2/Xbox/GameCube physical. Underground is the last entry widely considered excellent — the series declined sharply after Underground 2.
What to skip
Tony Hawk's Project 8 (2006), Proving Ground (2007), Shred (2010), and Ride (2009, the plastic skateboard peripheral game) are the series at its lowest ebb. None are recommended. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 5 (2015) launched in a broken state and was never properly fixed. Skip everything between Underground 2 and the 1+2 remaster.
Vert vs Street
Tony Hawk has two playstyles: vert (halfpipes, big air, spin tricks) and street (manual combos, grinds, flat ground). The classic formula rewards mastering both. The manual is the key to high scores in THPS2 onwards — connecting a grind to a manual to another grind multiplies your score multiplier. Learning the manual chain is the skill ceiling of the classic games.
What platforms you need
THPS 1+2 — PS4/PS5/Xbox/Switch/PC. THPS3 and 4 — PS2/GameCube/Xbox physical. Underground 1 and 2 — PS2/Xbox physical.
Recommended order
THPS 1+2 remaster first — it is the peak. Then THPS3 for the revert and classic formula completion. Then Underground for the story mode era. Then THPS4 if the mission structure appeals.