Picture: ActivisionWhen Tony Hawk’s Professional Skater 1 + 2 launched, I solely had one thought on my thoughts: “That is superior, however can we please get 3 + 4?”
I had dabbled with the primary two entries again within the day, however it was solely when Tony Hawk’s Professional Skater 3 launched in 2001 that I correctly bought hooked on the sequence. It felt excellent, and regardless of classics like Metroid Prime and The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker sitting greater on my ‘finest GameCube’ checklist, there’s no different sport I sunk extra hours into than THPS 3.
Given the current disappointment surrounding the adjustments to THPS 4 within the upcoming remake, I’m going to forged that sport apart for a second and simply deal with the third entry. Heck, even when developer Iron Galaxy retained completely every little thing from THPS 4 and delivered a close to 1:1 remake, it nonetheless sits just under its predecessor in my private sequence rating.
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Few video games really feel like merchandise of their time as a lot as Tony Hawk 3. Certain, should you’re moderately educated, you may have a look at any sport’s stylings and manufacturing values and take a good stab at when it was made, however THPS 3 is a snapshot of the early ‘00s like no different. The music, the visuals, the rebellious undertones… It launched proper when Jackass was actually starting to realize momentum on MTV, and you may really feel that within the new additions.
In contrast to the earlier two entries, which noticed you traversing round ranges in your lonesome, THPS 3 featured pedestrians for the primary time. Challenges like ‘Bury the Bully’ within the Canada stage and ‘Cease the Pickpockets’ within the Airport felt like they’d taken direct inspiration from the exploits of beloved idiots like Steve-O and Bam Margera (who, sadly, isn’t within the new remake), and it made the sport really feel like a ridiculous mixture of Skating X Jackass sim.
It gave the sequence the increase it actually wanted, in my eyes. I’m no skateboarder in actual life, however I might wager that almost all acquire pleasure from skating with others. It’s probably the most sociable sports activities conceivable, and I might all the time see youngsters at my native skatepark racing down halfpipes earlier than sitting with associates and listening to Blink-182 and Slipknot. It was a vibe, y’know? And THPS 3 captured it splendidly.
Pictures: Activision
Talking of music, the sport additionally launched me to bands that stay a few of my absolute favourites to this very day. Bodyjar’s ‘Not the Identical’ grew to become the music of 2001 and I am unable to inform you what number of occasions I listened to it within the months following the sport’s launch. Not solely that, however you’ve bought The Ramones, AFI, Guttermouth, Alien Ant Farm, and freakin’ Motörhead, for goodness’ sake. Look, I’ll all the time keep that ‘Ace of Spades’ pales compared to ‘Overkill’, however it’s an absolute banger of a music, regardless.
Bodyjar and Motörhead have been confirmed to return for the remake, so even when Iron Galaxy hasn’t managed to get each music, I’ll be one glad chappy.
It’s going to be a bit odd enjoying a remake of THPS 3, reality be informed. Once I performed 1 + 2, it admittedly misplaced that ‘product of its time’ vibe that makes the unique video games so memorable to me. I fear that even with the music and the Jackass-inspired challenges, THPS 3 on Swap might really feel related. If it will probably recapture at the very least a few of that pleasure I felt in my youth, although, Activision and Iron Galaxy are on to a winner.
And if not? Perhaps ‘Not the Identical’ will tackle a complete totally different that means.
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Did you play Tony Hawk’s Professional Skater 3 again within the day? Which entry within the sequence is your favorite? Go away a remark together with your ideas, reminiscences, and extra down beneath.
Nintendo Life’s resident horror fanatic, when he’s not knee-deep in Resident Evil and Silent Hill lore, Ollie likes to dive into a superb horror ebook whereas nursing a beautiful cup of tea. He additionally enjoys lengthy walks and listens to every little thing from TOOL to Chuck Berry.
