Overview
Skateboarding for everyone. THPS made pulling off tricks intuitive—ollie, grab, grind, land. The two-minute runs created focused chaos. Levels rewarded exploration with hidden tapes and secret areas. The punk/ska soundtracks became inseparable from the experience. For millions who’d never touched a skateboard, this was their introduction to skate culture.
Fast facts
- Developer: Neversoft.
- Year: 1999.
- Namesake: Tony Hawk (pro skater).
- Sequels: Annual releases.
Control innovation
| Input |
Action |
| X |
Ollie/jump |
| Square |
Flip tricks |
| Circle |
Grab tricks |
| Triangle |
Grind |
Level design
| Stage |
Memorability |
| Warehouse |
Tutorial perfection |
| School |
Iconic rails |
| Mall |
Exploration reward |
| Downhill |
Speed challenge |
Soundtrack impact
| Artist |
Song |
| Goldfinger |
“Superman” |
| Dead Kennedys |
“Police Truck” |
| Primus |
“Jerry Was a Race Car Driver” |
| Genre-defining |
Punk/ska selection |
Series evolution
| Title |
Innovation |
| THPS |
Foundation |
| THPS2 |
Manual, park creator |
| THPS3 |
Revert |
| Underground |
Story mode |
Cultural impact
| Effect |
Reach |
| Skateboarding interest |
Mainstream growth |
| Music exposure |
Band discovery |
| Gaming milestone |
Genre creation |
| Nostalgia |
Remake success |
See also