Have you played skateboarding games before? (You nod) Really? So have I! Remember how the graphics were not very realistic? (You nod again) Well, that's changed. Enter Tony Hawk's Pro Skater. We're talking realistic models of real pro skaters pulling off real signature moves that are real hard or wiping out in really bloody impacts. The detail is one of the nicest things about the graphics. The skaters aren't some slick, plastic silicon, eye candy on wheels, but sweat and blood, Primus-lovin' athletes in a quest for the perfect trick. And, appropriately enough, Primus appears on the soundtrack, along with The Vandals, The Suicide Machines, Unsane, Dead Kennedys, Even Rude, Goldfinger, Speedealer, Suicidal Tendencies, and (my favorite) The Earnies. You want a hard rockin', insane skating game for the PlayStation? Well, it's 'Here and Now!'

Tony Hawk (and Neversoft) bring realism to skateboarding games. You get real pro skaters to play as, and realistic, fully skatable worlds to thrash around in. With a hefty list of moves, it will take a bit of practice to develop your style, but you'll enjoy every minute of it. You get multiple goals to try for, including trying for high score, and trying to get into areas that require extremely difficult tricks to even reach to collect 'tapes.' This adds variety to the gameplay, but I find I love just working on my tricks accompanied by the hard-hitting soundtrack. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater is a blast!

Ah, grasshopper, wise man say, 'Any man can achieve balance, few can achieve flight.' You wanna roll around and do a couple jumps here and there, give yourself a couple games or so to try it out. Wanna look really good and do some mad tricks? Better free up your schedule. One thing that helps you out a bit is the fact that the skaters are different, each with their own strengths and weaknesses, so if you choose wisely, you can select a skater whose abilities match your style of play. This alone will make Pro Skater a lot easier to play.

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater throws a little grit and wheel grease into the world of skateboarding games. No 'special effects' or 'power-ups' here - just realistic skateboard action. Since skateboarding is such a physically demanding sport, I hesitate to call Tony Hawk's Pro Skater a 'simulation,' although the 'sim' approach to physics and tricks is evident throughout. This is a welcomed change to the genre and a tribute to those who have worked hard to master the skateboard, while game developers play with the idea of 'hoverboards' and 'power-ups.'