Tony Hawk (series)

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The latest game in the series, Tony Hawk's Proving Ground.
The latest game in the series, Tony Hawk's Proving Ground.

The Tony Hawk series is a computer and video game series endorsed by Tony Hawk and is created by games developer Neversoft and published by Activision. The series launched in 1999 when Tony Hawk's Pro Skater was released.

The first game was considered revolutionary, and since then the series has dominated the genre. Due to the success of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, Activision has released a number of follow-ups.

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 (2000) for the PlayStation; 2001 for the Dreamcast, Nintendo 64, PC, Mac, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance). The game was re-released in the US later in 2001 as Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2X for the Xbox.

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 (2001) for the GameCube, Game Boy Color, PlayStation 2, and PlayStation. In 2002, it was published for the Nintendo 64, Xbox, PC, Mac, and Game Boy Advance.

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 (2002), for the PlayStation, PlayStation 2, GameCube, Game Boy Advance, PC, Mac, Xbox, and Tapwave Zodiac).

The fifth game in the series, Tony Hawk's Underground (THUG), was released in 2003 for the PlayStation 2, GameCube, Xbox, and Game Boy Advance. This game differs not only in name from the previous titles but also focuses on the idea of story mode, where the player progresses their character from a local skater to a sponsored pro skater.

Tony Hawk's Underground 2 was released in October 2004, and it is quite similar to its predecessor and features many old faces, including Eric Sparrow (a previous "friend" from THUG). With the release of the PlayStation Portable, Tony Hawk's Underground 2 was repackaged as Tony Hawk's Underground 2 Remix, a launch title for the new handheld console.

In 2005, Tony Hawk's American Wasteland was released on the PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, Xbox 360, and later on PC. It spans all of Los Angeles, with the exception of the classic mode levels, and is bigger than all of the previous games. The Nintendo DS and the Game Boy Advance saw the release of Tony Hawk's American Sk8land, a version of Tony Hawk's American Wasteland with cel-shaded animation and wireless connectivity.

Then in 2006 Tony Hawk's Project 8 came out for the PS3, Xbox 360, PS2, Xbox and PSP. The entire area used for story mode was interconnected like American Wasteland, but this time, not only were there no loading times, but also there were no loading tunnels.

Also in 2006, came Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam, which was a spin-off to the series, in which you had to race downhill as well as doing tricks. Most of the playable characters were fictional, as well as the fact that there were only 2 playable pros, being Tony Hawk and Kevin Staab. The game was released on the Nintendo DS, Wii, Game Boy Advance, and later on PlayStation 2.

The next official game in the series was Tony Hawk's Proving Ground, released in 2007 for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Wii, and Nintendo DS.

A tenth game in the franchise, currently using the working title of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 10, has been confirmed by Activision. Few details have been released, though Activision commented that research and testing is underway. Activision promises that the new game will be a "re-engineering [for] the franchise...[it] will be a new direction for the brand."[1] Systems it would appear on and a release date have not been confirmed, though speculation has the game being released in the Fall of 2009 on, at the very least, the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360.

Contents

[edit] Gameplay

From Tony Hawk's Pro Skater up until Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3, the gameplay has generally remained the same, albeit some small changes.In Career mode, the player picks a pro skater, and goes through the games levels completing goals. These usually include collecting s-k-a-t-e, finding the hidden tape, or completing a high score. The player has 2 minutes to go through the level completing goals. When the time is up, the level restarts and the player goes again. There are also 3 levels that are competitions. The player can earn a bronze, silver, or gold medal depending on their score from the judges. When the player completes all goals in all levels, they unlock that pro's video. Modes also include Free Skate, Single Session, and Multiplayer.

THPS2 added the park editor, manual, and create-a-skater. THPS3 added the revert, as well as updated graphics for the newer consoles at the time. THPS4 changed the Career mode by getting rid of the 2 minute timer, letting one freely skate the level and to perform goals at any time. It also added the spine transfer, and the ability to skitch cars.

The fifth game of the series, Tony Hawk's Underground, had the game focus more on a storyline than the gamplay. It's all about the player, as they can create a skater, and take him from a rags to riches story that involves them going from amateur to pro. You also meet some whacky characters along the way. As for gameplay, THUG added the ability to walk off your board, along with driving vehicles, and wallplanting. You were also able to download your face and map it to your character making the game "personalized." Create-a-trick, Create-a-goal, and Create-a-deck were also added. Tony Hawk's Underground 2 continued on the story, but it focuses less on skating. It's the world destruction tour, and you join Tony Hawk's team to go around the world and destroy things. The ability to sticker slap, natas spin, and spray a graffiti tag were added. The original career mode from the first four games returned under the name of "Classic Mode."

Tony Hawk's American Wasteland was next. The series took a turn in the level department, as the whole game took place in one streaming world of Los Angeles, with no loading times. BMX bikes were included and you were able to hit peds with your board. The story revolves around you moving to LA and building a skate ranch. Tony Hawk's Project 8 made some dramatic changes, such as dropping some abilities to make the game more realistic. Also, the graphics were completely overhauled, pro skaters were now "mo-capped," and there was a totally new goal system. Instead of different difficulties, they were integrated into how long you grind, manual, or air to get to certain levels. Those of which were AM, Pro, and Sick. The story has you join Tony Hawk's team of the top 8 skaters, hence the name of the title.

Tony Hawk's Proving Ground is the Ninth game in the series, and it features the ability to skate in 3 new classes, Career, Rigger, and Hardcore. There is also a new video editor, and a fully customizable skate lounge. It is billed as being the biggest game yet, having you skate in 3 massive cities, Philly, Baltimore, and D.C. The story shifts to the East Coast and you have to prove yourself.

[edit] Featured skaters

[edit] Pro skaters

Besides Tony Hawk (who is in every single title), these are the professional skateboarders that feature in the series.

Note: Shaded cells represent unlockable skaters.

Skater THPS THPS2 THPS3 THPS4 THUG THUG2 THAW THP8 THPG
Lyn-Z Adams Hawkins NoN NoN NoN NoN NoN NoN NoN YesY NoN
Tony Alva NoN NoN NoN NoN NoN NoN YesY NoN NoN
Bob Burnquist YesY YesY NoN YesY YesY YesY YesY YesY YesY
Steve Caballero NoN YesY YesY YesY YesY NoN NoN NoN NoN
Kareem Campbell YesY YesY YesY YesY YesY NoN NoN NoN NoN
Dustin Dollin NoN NoN NoN NoN NoN NoN NoN YesY YesY
Jason Ellis NoN NoN NoN NoN NoN NoN YesY 1 NoN NoN
Rune Glifberg YesY YesY YesY YesY YesY NoN NoN NoN NoN
Christian Hosoi NoN NoN NoN NoN NoN NoN NoN YesY NoN
Nyjah Huston NoN NoN NoN NoN NoN NoN NoN YesY YesY
Natas Kaupas NoN NoN NoN {{n NoN YesY 2 NoN NoN NoN
Jeff King NoN NoN NoN NoN NoN NoN NoN NoN YesY
Eric Koston NoN YesY YesY YesY YesY YesY NoN NoN NoN
Bucky Lasek YesY YesY YesY YesY YesY NoN NoN NoN NoN
Jason Lee NoN NoN NoN NoN NoN NoN NoN YesY NoN
Bam Margera NoN NoN YesY YesY YesY YesY YesY YesY YesY
Lance Mountain NoN NoN NoN NoN NoN NoN NoN NoN YesY
Rodney Mullen NoN YesY YesY YesY YesY YesY YesY YesY YesY
Chad Muska YesY YesY YesY YesY YesY YesY NoN NoN NoN
Stacy Peralta NoN NoN NoN NoN YesY 3 NoN NoN NoN NoN
Andrew Reynolds YesY YesY YesY YesY YesY NoN YesY NoN YesY
Paul Rodriguez NoN NoN NoN NoN YesY NoN YesY YesY NoN
Jereme Rogers NoN NoN NoN NoN NoN NoN NoN NoN YesY
Geoff Rowley YesY YesY YesY YesY YesY NoN NoN NoN NoN
Arto Saari NoN NoN NoN NoN YesY NoN NoN NoN YesY
Ryan Sheckler NoN NoN NoN NoN NoN YesY YesY YesY YesY
Daewon Song NoN NoN NoN NoN NoN NoN YesY YesY YesY
Kevin Staab NoN NoN NoN NoN NoN NoN NoN YesY 4 NoN
Elissa Steamer YesY YesY YesY YesY YesY NoN NoN NoN NoN
Jamie Thomas YesY YesY YesY YesY YesY NoN NoN NoN NoN
Vanessa Torres NoN NoN NoN NoN NoN NoN NoN NoN YesY
Tony Trujillo NoN NoN NoN NoN NoN NoN YesY NoN NoN
Mike Vallely NoN NoN NoN YesY YesY YesY YesY YesY YesY
Stevie Williams NoN NoN NoN NoN NoN NoN YesY YesY YesY
  1. ^  This person is a Secret Skater.
  2. ^  This person is a Bonus Skater.
  3. ^  This person appears as a Pedestrian Skater.
  4. ^  This person also appears in Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam.

[edit] Fictional skaters

Throughout the series, there have been some notable characters, whether they're part of a storyline, or just being an unlockable skater. These include:

General

  • Officer Dick- A skating cop, who is usually considered as a 'poser' by other skaters, idea came from commercials for first game.
  • Ollie the Magic Bum- A bum based on the THPS2 goal of the same name.
  • Private Carrera- A sexy woman who often dons military clothing.

Story Mode

  • Eric Sparrow (THUG-THUG2, THPG) - Your former friend turned rival who feeds off of your success.
  • Johnny Turbo (THUG) - A car driver and member of a racers gang in New Jersey who becames you friend and helps you rescuing Eric.
  • Nigel Beaverhaussen (THUG2) - An aspiring director who attempts to put the World Destruction Tour on film.
  • Mindy (THAW) - A girl who helps you around LA as well as designing the Skate Ranch and starting up her own magazine, American Wasteland. She eventually becomes your girlfriend.
  • Boone (THAW) - A hot-headed skater who takes to doing the gnarliest tricks.
  • Murphy (THAW) - A skater who often contacts various people around LA for assistance.
  • Useless Dave (THAW) - A skater who holds a lot of useless knowledge about skating.
  • Iggy Van Zant (THAW) - A legendary skater who owns the Skate Ranch.
  • Master Zen (THAW) - A Chinese skate master who teaches you some special tricks for the Tony Hawk AM Jam.
  • Mega (THAW) - A skater an old friend of Tony Alva who now works in an Oil rig. He helps you building the Skate Ranch.
  • Spencer (THPG) - One of your friends in the Career class. He tries to help you in shooting a video with Arto Saari.
  • Mel (THPG) - One of your friends in the Career Class. She is an aspiring photographer who joins you in taking magazine photos with Stevie Williams and Bryce Kanights.
  • Rube (THPG) - One of your friends in the Rigger Class. He joins you in creating skatable objects with Jeff King.
  • Shayne (THPG) - One of your friends in the Rigger Class. He helps in you getting payback on Bam Margera.
  • Bosco (THPG) - One of your friends in the Hardcore Class. He joins you in hitting some epic gaps with Mike V.
  • Cooper (THPG) - A photographer seen in the Hardcore Class. He is persuaded by Mike V into recording your attempts at epic gaps.
  • Cam (THPG) - The Leader of the Crazy 21 gang, who try to make FDR skatepark their turf. With help from Dustin Dollin, you try to win it back.
  • Mad Dog (THPG) - A hardcore skater who is seen hanging around bowls with Lance Mountain.
  • Eddie X (THPG) - Your rival in the Hardcore Class, who tries to take all of the glory in the bowlriding circuit.
  • Zombie (THP8) - A Dead Officer Dick (THPS3, THUG) who has a freeway sign poking out of him

Downhill Jam skaters

Main article: Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam
  • Ammon - A skater who relies purely on his spirit, as well as the fact that he can get high airs.
  • Budd - A mellow dude who has weird visions in his head when in conversation.
  • Crash - A skater who often wrecks himself.
  • Gunnar - A strong man from Norway who shows little to no consideration for others when racing.
  • Kyla - An aspiring Urban musician who believes that skating downhill will not destroy her soul.
  • Jynx - A Goth girl who other skaters believe is the cause of their bad luck in races.
  • Mackenzie - A British punk rocker who can often take a violent approach.
  • Tiffany - An aspiring fashion queen who is often classed as a social stereotype, despite her good balance on a skateboard.
  • Armondo Ootbagh - A legendary skating daredevil from the 70s who has come back from a near-death experience (an attempt at skating underwater) to prove that he's still 'the best.' It is also believed that this man is Crash's father.

[edit] Cameos

From Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 onwards, there have been cameos from either real life people, mascots, or even fictional characters (from films, games and comic books), which are often unlockable as skaters. These have included:

Jackass stars

Guitar Hero

  • Grim Ripper (THP8)
  • Judy Nails (THPG)

Neversoft Mascots

  • Neversoft Eyeball (THPS3) - The eyeball seen on Neversoft's logo.
  • THUD (THUG) - A parody of C.H.U.D..
  • Neversoft Alien (THP8) - A small alien seen in the Neversoft Logo video of Tony Hawk's Project 8.

Music acts

Marvel heroes

Star Wars

Non-skating athletes

Miscellaneous

[edit] Featured Levels

[edit] US Cities and Skateparks

These US cities and skateparks have been featured throughout the series:

[edit] International locations

The game has also featured these international locations:

[edit] Other Locations

  • Cruise Ship, Mediterranean (THPS3)

[edit] References

  1. ^ Boyes, Emma (2008-02-08). Activision confirms Bond movie tie-in, new COD, two Guitar Heroes. GameSpot. Retrieved on 2008-02-08.

[edit] External links

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Tony Hawk's video games