Overview
Rodney’s skate shop is your headquarters. Skate or Die captured skateboarding’s rebellious attitude with five events ranging from competitive half-pipe to downhill racing. Electronic Arts tapped into youth culture with edgy presentation, memorable characters, and gameplay that rewarded both technical skill and aggressive style.
Fast facts
- Developer: Electronic Arts.
- Events: Five disciplines.
- Theme: Punk/skate culture.
- Sequel: Skate or Die 2 (1990).
Events
| Event | Type |
|---|
| Freestyle | Half-pipe tricks |
| High jump | Ramp height |
| Downhill race | Speed competition |
| Downhill jam | Combat racing |
| Pool joust | Head-to-head combat |
Freestyle
| Element | Mechanic |
|---|
| Half-pipe | Back and forth |
| Tricks | Aerials, handplants |
| Scoring | Variety and execution |
| Time limit | Performance window |
Downhill events
| Variant | Goal |
|---|
| Race | Pure speed |
| Jam | Combat + speed |
| Obstacles | Navigate hazards |
| Weapons | Attack opponents |
Pool joust
| Element | Description |
|---|
| Arena | Drained pool |
| Weapon | Jousting stick |
| Goal | Knock opponent down |
| Rounds | Best of series |
Characters
| Character | Role |
|---|
| Rodney | Skate shop owner |
| Bionic Lester | Downhill competitor |
| Poseur Pete | Rival |
| Aggro Eddie | Aggressive skater |
Cultural impact
| Aspect | Significance |
|---|
| Attitude | Rebellious presentation |
| Music | Punk aesthetic |
| Competition | Multiplayer focus |
| Branding | EA sports beginning |
See also