Which Tony Hawk Games Are Worth Playing and Which Ones Can You Skip?

The Tony Hawk franchise is one of the most influential series in gaming history, but it is also one of the easiest to approach incorrectly if you are coming to it late.

For players who grew up with these games, the memories are clear. For players returning years later or trying them for the first time, the situation is very different. There are many entries, several distinct eras, and wildly different opinions about which games still hold up.

If you are a late player, the real challenge is not learning how to skate. It is knowing where to start, what is worth your time, and what you can safely ignore without missing anything meaningful.

This guide breaks the franchise down with one goal in mind: helping you decide which Tony Hawk games are still worth playing today and which ones you can skip.

What Actually Makes a Tony Hawk Game Worth Playing Today?

Before looking at individual games, it helps to define what matters for a modern audience.

A Tony Hawk game that is worth playing today usually does a few key things well. The controls feel responsive and intuitive without requiring hours of relearning. The game works well in short or medium play sessions. Progression feels rewarding rather than grindy. And most importantly, the skating itself feels fluid and fun.

What matters less now is technical ambition or realism. The series works best when it leans into arcade flow rather than simulation. Games that prioritize gimmicks, experimental control schemes, or overly serious tone tend to age poorly.

With that in mind, here is how the franchise shakes out for late players.

The Tony Hawk Games That Are Still Worth Playing

These are the games that continue to deliver the core Tony Hawk experience without unnecessary friction.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2

For late players, this is the clearest starting point in the entire franchise.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 takes two foundational games and updates them in all the ways that matter. Controls are smooth and precise. Performance is excellent. Menus and progression systems are clean and readable. Most importantly, the skating feels immediately satisfying.

The classic two minute run structure works extremely well for busy players. You can sit down, complete a few goals, experiment with combos, and walk away feeling like you made progress.

This version also removes many of the small frustrations that made the original releases harder to return to. Load times are fast, visuals are crisp, and the overall experience feels modern without losing its arcade identity.

If you only play one Tony Hawk game, this is the one.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 builds directly on what makes 1 + 2 so appealing.

Pro Skater 3 is often considered the peak of the classic formula. Levels are tightly designed, objectives are clear, and the combo system rewards creativity without becoming overwhelming. It feels focused and polished in a way few arcade games manage.

Pro Skater 4 shifts the structure by removing the timer and allowing players to freely explore levels while accepting goals from NPCs. This change slows the pace slightly but adds flexibility and approachability, especially for players who prefer exploration over strict time limits.

The remastered collection brings both games into a modern context. Controls feel consistent with newer releases, performance is smooth, and the presentation no longer feels dated.

For players who enjoy Pro Skater 1 + 2 and want more of that experience, this is now the definitive next step.

Tony Hawk’s Underground

Tony Hawk’s Underground marks a major shift in the franchise.

Instead of focusing purely on score chasing and timed runs, Underground introduces a narrative driven campaign. You create a skater, travel to different locations, and progress through a story about breaking into the professional skateboarding world.

The skating mechanics remain familiar, but the pacing changes. You spend more time completing objectives, interacting with characters, and moving through a structured progression.

For some players, this added context makes the game more engaging. For others, it reduces replayability compared to the Pro Skater titles.

Even so, Underground remains one of the most memorable entries in the series. If you value progression, story, and variety over pure arcade flow, this is still very much worth playing.

Tony Hawk’s American Wasteland

American Wasteland is one of the more experimental but still enjoyable entries.

The game presents a continuous open world with no loading screens and a strong emphasis on style and atmosphere. It leans into a punk aesthetic and focuses on building and customizing a skate park while completing missions around Los Angeles.

Not every idea lands. The tone can feel dated, and some systems lack depth. But the skating itself remains strong, and the game is surprisingly flexible for short sessions.

For players who want something different without abandoning the core Tony Hawk feel, American Wasteland can still be a fun option.

Tony Hawk Games That Are Optional for Late Players

These games are not essential, but they may appeal depending on what you value most.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater & Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2

These titles are foundational, but they are no longer the best way to experience their content.

Both games are effectively replaced by Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2, which improves controls, visuals, and accessibility while preserving the original level design.

Unless you are specifically seeking nostalgia or historical context, these versions are easy to skip.

Tony Hawk’s Underground 2

Underground 2 doubles down on chaos, humor, and exaggerated tone.

The skating mechanics remain solid, but the prank focused structure and humor can feel uneven today. Some players enjoy the energy and variety. Others find it distracting.

This game is best treated as optional content for fans who enjoyed the first Underground and want more of that style.

Tony Hawk’s Project 8 & Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground

These entries represent a transitional phase for the franchise.

Both aim for a more realistic tone and slower progression. While they introduce interesting ideas, they lack the immediacy and flow that define the series at its best.

For most late players, these games feel more like curiosities than must plays.

Tony Hawk Games You Can Safely Skip

These entries offer little value for modern players.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5

This is the clearest skip in the franchise.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5 suffers from awkward controls, inconsistent design, and a lack of polish. Even longtime fans struggle to find redeeming qualities.

There is no meaningful reason to play this unless you are documenting the series’ lowest point.

Motion Control Era Games

Games like Tony Hawk Ride and Tony Hawk Shred attempted to reinvent the franchise using motion control peripherals.

These experiments failed to capture the feel that made Tony Hawk games enjoyable and are frustrating to play today. They are unnecessary for anyone revisiting the series.

Where Should Late Players Start?

For most players, the answer is straightforward.

Start with Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2. If you enjoy it, move directly to Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 for more of the classic experience.

If you want narrative and progression, Tony Hawk’s Underground is the best alternative. If you want something stylistically different but mechanically familiar, American Wasteland is worth trying.

You do not need to play every entry. Choosing carefully leads to a better overall experience.

The Bottom Line

The Tony Hawk franchise remains one of the most accessible and enjoyable arcade experiences in gaming, but not every entry has aged equally well.

A small group of games still deliver exactly what modern players want. Several others are optional curiosities. And a few are best left untouched.

If you focus on the right entries, Tony Hawk is still easy to enjoy late without feeling overwhelmed or behind.

And that is exactly what makes it timeless.