As well as introducing a generation of kids to the rapidly growing world of skateboarding and extreme sport, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater was a crash course in punk rock. The original 1999 game was an instant hit that spawned a number of sequels, spin-offs and copycat titles, thanks in no small part to its soundtrack featuring everyone from Fall Out Boy and My Chemical Romance to AC/DC, the Sex Pistols and House Of Pain.
Alongside travelling skate punk festival Warped Tour and the breakout success of Green Day and Blink-182, the Tony Hawk’s games helped punk to invade the mainstream. Goldfinger’s ‘Superman’ and CKY’s ‘96 Quite Bitter Beings’ especially became generation-defining anthems.
“The impact of the franchise really goes well beyond video games now, though, and I think a pretty good example of that is the inclusion of skateboarding in the 2020 and 2024 Olympic Games,” Josh Taub of developer Activision Blizzard said in a recent interview with Digital Trends. “I’d like to think that Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater was the catalyst that sparked interest in skateboarding on a global scale, making it possible for incredible pro athletes to share their talent on the world’s stage.”
To celebrate the upcoming release of Pro Skater 3 + 4, we’ve dusted off our CD Walkman to rank each soundtrack from the 15 different Tony Hawk’s titles.
15. Tony Hawk’s Motion (2008)
This Nintendo DS-exclusive saw players control their skateboarder (or snowboarder) of choice via a special, motion-sensing gadget that slid into the GBA slot of the console. With dodgy response times and a lack of content, it was a bit crap. Its soundtrack of specially-created techno music was especially crap, though, with no ties to the punky legacy of what had come before.
If it were a trick… It would use the skateboard as a seat, slowly rocking back and forth at the bottom of a halfpipe and getting in everyone’s way.
14. Tony Hawk: Ride (2009)
Inspired by the success of Guitar Hero, Tony Hawk: Ride made use of a plastic skateboard deck peripheral that allowed you to live out your skating dreams in the comfort of your own home – all without having to worry about broken bones or skinned knees. It was a nice idea that was designed to spark a revolution in gaming, but the reality was more awkward than awesome.
And soundtracking all that frustration was a bloated 58-song playlist that brought together indie rock staples (Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Band Of Horses, The Raconteurs) with the world of dance-punk spearheaded by the likes of MGMT. Add in Bill Withers’ feel-good ‘Lovely Day’ and The Commodores’ ‘Machine Gun’ and it’s easy to see why this Tony Hawk’s game felt so confused.
If it were a trick… A ball-busting, Boardslide fail, as seen on every eye-watering When Tricks Go Wrong compilation video.
13. Tony Hawk’s Skate Jam (2018)
The only game in the franchise not published by Activision, Tony Hawk’s Skate Jam was a free-to-play mobile game that basically pasted Hawk’s likeness over the existing Skateboard Party series. It’s a defiant entry – Hawk determined to carry on without his long-term publishing partners – and he reportedly picked the soundtrack himself. Perhaps there were issues with the budget, though, because the resulting 14 tracks includes multiple songs from the same handful of artists. The highlight? ‘The Rover’ from Interpol’s claustrophobic sixth album ‘Marauder’.
If it were a trick… Making a coin disappear. Simple, effective, but not what we were really after.
12. Tony Hawk’s Downhill Jam (2006)
Based on the original Pro Skater level of the same name, Downhill Jam took the franchise in a pure racing direction. It was a solid entry in the series, even if it only focused on a tiny part of what made other Tony Hawk’s games so great. And the soundtrack was equally fine. Ticking boxes for indie (The Futureheads), metal (Motörhead), punk (Descendents) and hip-hop (Public Enemy), it followed what had come before without veering off course for a second.
If it were a trick… A 50:50 grind. A skateboarding staple, even if there’s little room for flourish.
11. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5 (2015)
The most recent entry in the mainline series, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5 was released a solid 13 years after 4. Because the game was developed hastily as the long-standing partnership between Tony Hawk and Activision drew to a close, it was unfinished when it launched. But, it did feature the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Tyler, The Creator as playable skaters, so it’s not all bad, eh?
The soundtrack included the classic punk anthems that the series had become known for, with a sprinkling of thundering rock ‘n’ roll from Royal Blood and Death From Above 1979. It wasn’t exactly what Pro Skater fans wanted, but there was enough nostalgia to keep fans interested.
If it were a trick… Nosegrab. Low-scoring, basic and without much risk.
10. Tony Hawk’s Underground 2 (2004)
The sixth entry in the Tony Hawk’s series was already dabbling with nostalgia by giving players the chance to skate in remastered classic levels. However, it also pushed things forward with a storyline that involved Hawk and fellow skater Bam Margera putting on a World Destruction Tour.
The soundtrack also straddled worlds, with comforting punk anthems from Jimmy Eat World, Less Than Jake and The Distillers standing next to absolute classics from Johnny Cash and Frank Sinatra. Underground 2 wasn’t afraid of getting heavy, either, thanks to bangers from Metallica, Lamb Of God and Disturbed. There was still space for The Sugarhill Gang’s ‘Rapper’s Delight’. Something for everyone.
If it were a trick… A crowd-pleasing Triple-Kickflip.
9. Tony Hawk’s Project 8 (2006)
Competing for a spot on Tony Hawk’s newly created team, Project 8 introduced the brilliant Nail The Trick feature and allowed players to rack up their hospital bill by controlling bails. Sadly, the soundtrack seemed to take more inspiration from the FIFA series than the franchise’s own legacy. Featuring Kasabian’s lad-rock anthem ‘Club Foot’, Klaxons’ nu-rave tune ‘Gravity’s Rainbow’ and classics from Joy Division and The Cure, it was an uncomfortable evolution for the series.
If it were a trick… The Leap Of Faith – ambitious but painful.
8. Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground (2007)
Proving Ground was the ninth Tony Hawk’s game released in eight years. After a few experimental releases in the series, Neversoft’s final skating game was a return to the arcade roots of the franchise. The soundtrack also celebrated what had come before by featuring the same giddy mix of classic punk and hip-hop that made the soundtracks so influential. With tracks from Sex Pistols, Foo Fighters, Bloc Party, Nirvana, Roots Manuva, Jurassic 5 and Bad Brains, it was a non-stop party.
If it were a trick… Air-walk. Loads of fun but you’re not getting anywhere fast.
7. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2 remake (2020)
This remastered collection of the first two Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater games was a real celebration of everything the series had achieved in 21 years. A love letter to the franchise, the soundtrack featured the very best tunes from the early games, alongside a bunch of modern gems. Tracks from Machine Gun Kelly, DZ Deathrays and Skepta took their place next to Papa Roach and Goldfinger, but it was impossible for this collection to live up to the thrill of the original.
If it were a trick… Nose Manual. A classic trick that’s so similar to the original, but there’s no wow factor.
6. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 (2001)
It’s nothing but legends from hereon out. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 had the unenviable task of following up the wildly popular Pro Skater 2, but is still regarded as one of the best video games ever made. Fans could play online for the very first time, while an evolution in the game’s engine meant players could tie together even longer trick combos and really rack up those points.
Perhaps knowing they had an icon on their hands, the soundtrack features CKY’s unofficial skate punk anthem ‘96 Quite Bitter Beings’ alongside tracks from Red Hot Chili Peppers, Del The Funky Homosapien and House Of Pain.
If it were a trick… Handstand – a bit goofy but an instant classic.
5. Tony Hawk’s Underground (2003)
After four successful Pro Skater games, Tony Hawk’s changed things up with Underground. With a new focus on customisation and players able to hop off their board and explore for the first time, Underground felt like a much bigger game than everything before.
And a bigger game needs a meatier soundtrack. Underground definitely didn’t disappoint with 78 different tracks that spanned everything from a live recording of KISS’ ‘Rock And Roll All Nite’ to Nas’ ‘The World Is Yours’ and Refused’s ‘New Noise’. It felt like a revolution all over again.
If it were a trick… A 20ft ollie between two water towers – it doesn’t get bigger than this.
4. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater (1999)
“My intention and expectation for the game was mostly for the enjoyment of skateboarders,” said Tony Hawk, looking back on the original Pro Skater. “I had no idea it would transcend a niche market to become a massive success and – as some have argued – change the course of skateboarding’s popularity. But hey, here we are, still talking about it 25 years later.”
As influential as that game was, the soundtrack had a cultural moment all of its own. Tunes including Goldfinger’s ‘Superman’, The Vandals’ ‘Euro-Barge’, Dead Kennedys’ Police Truck’ and Suicidal Tendencies’ ‘Cyco Vision’ introduced a generation to the rapidly blossoming world of alternative music. We’re not saying punk wouldn’t be what it is today without Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, but it’s hard to imagine the genre being quite so influential without the gateway of this soundtrack.
If it were a trick… The 900. Simply iconic, even if it’s since been bettered.
3. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 (2000)
If you ever need a sequel that’s better than the original, look no further than Pro Skater 2. Sure, the original game is a burst of scrappy skateboarding nostalgia, but the follow-up was a more polished beast that really embraced the power of the franchise. The soundtrack was just as swaggering, introducing gamers to the music of Rage Against The Machine, Papa Roach, Public Enemy and Anthrax. Pro Skater 1 may have started a legacy, but 2 really solidified it.
If it were a trick… A pop shove-it: the trick that launched a thousand pro-skating careers.
2. Tony Hawk’s American Wasteland (2005)
Taking place in an open-world trick paradise that allowed players to pick up abandoned BMX bikes and perform tricks, American Wasteland shook up the franchise and let fans play the game their way.
Not content with a collection of punk, rock and hip-hop classics, the soundtrack saw a number of iconic bands covering songs by their peers. It gave the world My Chemical Romance’s take on The Misfit’s ‘Astro-Zombie’, Fall Out Boy covering Gorilla Biscuits and Taking Back Sunday taking on Descendents. Clearly, the franchise wanted to continue dragging its legacy into the present.
If it were a trick… Around The World: simply sensational and full of flair.
1. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4 (2002)
It might have been the fourth Pro Skater in as many years, but 4 continued to push the franchise forward with new tricks, skaters, a revamped career mode and the ability to hang onto cars and see the sights. And the soundtrack followed suit, bringing together THPS favourites like Goldfinger and N.W.A. with newcomers System Of A Down, The Offspring and Flogging Molly. Classics from Iron Maiden and AC/DC made skating feel epic, while scrappy tracks from The Distillers and The Cult made the game feel like the most exciting thing in the world.
If it were a trick… Nollie Backside 270 Blunt Slide, the gold medal-winning trick.