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