Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater HD

The game that kicked off the obsession of skating and extreme sports in video games, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater is getting a revamp and high definition make-over over 10 years since the original PlayStation game. Cleverly titled Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater HD, Activision and developers Robomodo have rebuilt the original game from the ground up to create a new version in the hopes to restart the series.

It is fair to say Tony Hawk games have diverted from the original formula since 1999. Activision have decided to take the players back to the start with a modern update. Not only have the looks been revamped so has the features as Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater HD will have online multiplayer modes and controls which combine the first and second games for example being able to link tricks together with manuals. As well as the controls, levels from the first two Tony Hawk games will be combined but no list as to the levels so far.

S-K-A-T-E challenges and DVDs (formally VHS Tapes) are back as well as a cast of today’s skaters including: Nyjah Huston, Chris Cole, Eric Koston, Andrew Reynolds, Rodney Mullen, Lyn-z Adams Hawkins (Pastrana), Riley Hawk and, of course, Tony Hawk himself. One would also suspect a trophy/achievement system to be built in there somewhere.

From the trailer it is apparent that the original music may not be in tact and Activision seems to still be negotiating contract and distribution rights with artists. It has been rumoured from the Hawk himself that it will be a mashup from THPS 1 & 2 filling half of the soundtrack and new sonds filling the rest. Fingers crossed for Goldfinger’s Superman!

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater HD will be available from the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Marketplace sometime in summer for around £10-£15.