Conveniently put together into one single video, this trio of commercials show off the new Unova region like never before. Explore 3D landscapes, never before seen in a Pokemon adventure, three-on-three battles, 150 new Pokemon, Team Plasma, and eight new gym leaders on your quest to be the best. Pokemon Black and White Versions hit store shelves mid-March.
Monday, February 7, 2011
SuperPhillip's Favorite VGMs - Sephiroth is A Mama's Boy Edition
A new week begins... the VGMs, shy at first, growl with a ferocious ferocity. They raise their paws, batting the sun away from their eyes. Then it's time to go to work. This week we have music from Final Fantasy VII, Mega Man 7, and Tatsunoko VS. Capcom, for starters! A fine compendium of music continues to accumulate here at SP's Favorite VGMs!
v651. Final Fantasy VII - One-Winged Angel (Live Version)
OMG. Sephiroth. Please have my babies. I will dress up like you at Kunicon! OMG YES! Losers. Without a doubt the most overrated mama's boy in Final Fantasy history, Sephiroth's theme has been remade and remade again to the point of parody, really. Regardless, this version comes from the More Friends concert of 2006. The sheep go wild when this song begins. However, you can tell they had no idea what song it was until the strings came in which I thought was funny. Oh, well. I hate Sephiroth as a character and his fans. Could you tell?
v652. Kirby's Epic Yarn - Snowy Fields
Snowy Fields is the first level of world five featuring rolling hills of snow and snowmen baddies. It's a perfect tune for winter, don't you think? While the game was painfully easy to complete the game, finishing all of the bonus content (the apartment tenants' challenges) was another story. Some of those missions were quite difficult requiring the player to master the game before attempting them. While not my favorite platformer of 2010, Kirby's Epic Yarn is an amusing game to play nonetheless.
v653. Mega Man 7 - Junk Man Stage - Forgotten Factory
Remember to use Freeze Man's move on the lava in Junk Man's stage to uncover one of the four BEAT letters! With that useful piece of info out of the way, Junk Man's stage takes place in a bustling factory. For a factory that's forgotten, it sure keeps itself busy! Junk Man is an interestingly designed robot master with pieces constructed from all over. He's a walking pile of junk-- fitting for his name.
v654. Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars - Let's Do the Fooka-Fooka!
The Fooka-Fooka is a type of dance the cloud people of Super Mario RPG's cloud city partake in. You can bet that damned Dodo character dances to it, too. Early in the game we find out that Mallow... IS NOT A TADPOLE! In fact, he's a cloud if you couldn't tell already. His parents are the king and queen of the beautiful cloud town featured in Super Mario RPG. This theme, Let's Do the Fooka-Fooka by Yoko Shimomura, meshes well with the fluffy clouds and sky high haberdasheries found in this glorious hometown of Mallow. Super Mario RPG would be the last Squaresoft project on a Nintendo system until Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles.
v655. Tatsunoko VS. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars - Across the Border 2010
Across the Border is the English theme song to the fighter of 2010, Tatsunoko VS. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars. Even if you have no clue what a Tatsunoko is, this fighting game from Capcom is even better than Super Street Fighter 4 in my book. The cast is more appealing, the fighting system feels more fresh, fun, and frenzied, and the soundtrack is miles ahead of SSF4. I'm sure I'll draw some negative comments, but bring 'em on. I'll knock you out like Mega Man Volnutt to Viewtiful Joe!
There goes the VGMs back into winter hibernation, but do not worry. It is only for one week. They'll depart once more next Monday for more cool tunes from video games. Until then, adieu.
v651. Final Fantasy VII - One-Winged Angel (Live Version)
OMG. Sephiroth. Please have my babies. I will dress up like you at Kunicon! OMG YES! Losers. Without a doubt the most overrated mama's boy in Final Fantasy history, Sephiroth's theme has been remade and remade again to the point of parody, really. Regardless, this version comes from the More Friends concert of 2006. The sheep go wild when this song begins. However, you can tell they had no idea what song it was until the strings came in which I thought was funny. Oh, well. I hate Sephiroth as a character and his fans. Could you tell?
v652. Kirby's Epic Yarn - Snowy Fields
Snowy Fields is the first level of world five featuring rolling hills of snow and snowmen baddies. It's a perfect tune for winter, don't you think? While the game was painfully easy to complete the game, finishing all of the bonus content (the apartment tenants' challenges) was another story. Some of those missions were quite difficult requiring the player to master the game before attempting them. While not my favorite platformer of 2010, Kirby's Epic Yarn is an amusing game to play nonetheless.
v653. Mega Man 7 - Junk Man Stage - Forgotten Factory
Remember to use Freeze Man's move on the lava in Junk Man's stage to uncover one of the four BEAT letters! With that useful piece of info out of the way, Junk Man's stage takes place in a bustling factory. For a factory that's forgotten, it sure keeps itself busy! Junk Man is an interestingly designed robot master with pieces constructed from all over. He's a walking pile of junk-- fitting for his name.
v654. Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars - Let's Do the Fooka-Fooka!
The Fooka-Fooka is a type of dance the cloud people of Super Mario RPG's cloud city partake in. You can bet that damned Dodo character dances to it, too. Early in the game we find out that Mallow... IS NOT A TADPOLE! In fact, he's a cloud if you couldn't tell already. His parents are the king and queen of the beautiful cloud town featured in Super Mario RPG. This theme, Let's Do the Fooka-Fooka by Yoko Shimomura, meshes well with the fluffy clouds and sky high haberdasheries found in this glorious hometown of Mallow. Super Mario RPG would be the last Squaresoft project on a Nintendo system until Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles.
v655. Tatsunoko VS. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars - Across the Border 2010
Across the Border is the English theme song to the fighter of 2010, Tatsunoko VS. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars. Even if you have no clue what a Tatsunoko is, this fighting game from Capcom is even better than Super Street Fighter 4 in my book. The cast is more appealing, the fighting system feels more fresh, fun, and frenzied, and the soundtrack is miles ahead of SSF4. I'm sure I'll draw some negative comments, but bring 'em on. I'll knock you out like Mega Man Volnutt to Viewtiful Joe!
There goes the VGMs back into winter hibernation, but do not worry. It is only for one week. They'll depart once more next Monday for more cool tunes from video games. Until then, adieu.
NPD 2010 Results - Top Ten Games for Each Platform
The year of 2010 was a wacky and wild one. That goes for sales, too, y'know! Courtesy of the NPD Group, the top ten best-selling games for each platform were unveiled on this day. I'd like to share my own insight on each platform starting with the Wii and ending with the handhelds.
Here we see that once again, third parties just do not sell on Wii. Oh, wait. Actually, without the snark and sarcasm, over half of the best-sellers for Wii are from third-parties. You have casual experiences like Just Dance 2, Michael Jackson: The Experience, Wipeout: The Game, and Wii Party (which sold about a half-million), and you have your more substance-filled titles such as the GotY 2010, Super Mario Galaxy 2, Donkey Kong Country Returns, Disney Epic Mickey, uDraw Studio, Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4, and Call of Duty: Black Ops which is surprisingly near or has reached one million sales.
An interesting list compared to the Wii's mix of casual and hardcore experiences, Call of Duty: Black Ops reigns supreme at the top of the list followed by annual favorite, Madden NFL 11. God of War III, Red Dead Redemption, and Final Fantasy XIII show that traditional experiences are still favored despite Sony's plans to dive in on Nintendo's casual-friendly Wii with the Move peripheral. Not too much that's exciting on this chart, but it's good to know that both first and third party software has a home on the PS3.
Looking like deja vu, Black Ops hits the number one spot followed by the ever-popular, Halo Reach. Madden NFL 11 takes the third spot followed by Red Dead Redemption. The 360 managed to squeeze out a victory over every third party game on the PS3 save for Final Fantasy XIII and, surprisingly, NBA 2K11. Even with eleven months as an advantage, Mass Effect 2 was outsold by the Metacritic-inferior Fable III. Also of note is that no Kinect software hit the charts.
Nintendo dominated their DS platform with a handful of third-party software making the list including the improved Super Scribblenauts, Toy Story 3, LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4, Zhu Zhu Pets, and Sonic Colors (which combined with the Wii version have shipped two million copies). Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies shows that the franchise can work well on handhelds and wonderfully so.
I do not care how many hardware units the PSP has sold. It's software sales are a failure making the PSP, in my eyes, a failure as well. You have to wonder when your top game sells only 300,000 units what the problem is. How can Sony get third parties on-board with the PSP NGP with higher dev costs and the potential for lesser sales? Especially when its main competition has an eight month lead on it? Regardless, it's sad to see such titles fail so badly. Ghost of Sparta performed well below expectations, and that's the theme with PSP software for the year. 2011 isn't looking any better.
Here we see that once again, third parties just do not sell on Wii. Oh, wait. Actually, without the snark and sarcasm, over half of the best-sellers for Wii are from third-parties. You have casual experiences like Just Dance 2, Michael Jackson: The Experience, Wipeout: The Game, and Wii Party (which sold about a half-million), and you have your more substance-filled titles such as the GotY 2010, Super Mario Galaxy 2, Donkey Kong Country Returns, Disney Epic Mickey, uDraw Studio, Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4, and Call of Duty: Black Ops which is surprisingly near or has reached one million sales.
An interesting list compared to the Wii's mix of casual and hardcore experiences, Call of Duty: Black Ops reigns supreme at the top of the list followed by annual favorite, Madden NFL 11. God of War III, Red Dead Redemption, and Final Fantasy XIII show that traditional experiences are still favored despite Sony's plans to dive in on Nintendo's casual-friendly Wii with the Move peripheral. Not too much that's exciting on this chart, but it's good to know that both first and third party software has a home on the PS3.
Looking like deja vu, Black Ops hits the number one spot followed by the ever-popular, Halo Reach. Madden NFL 11 takes the third spot followed by Red Dead Redemption. The 360 managed to squeeze out a victory over every third party game on the PS3 save for Final Fantasy XIII and, surprisingly, NBA 2K11. Even with eleven months as an advantage, Mass Effect 2 was outsold by the Metacritic-inferior Fable III. Also of note is that no Kinect software hit the charts.
Nintendo dominated their DS platform with a handful of third-party software making the list including the improved Super Scribblenauts, Toy Story 3, LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4, Zhu Zhu Pets, and Sonic Colors (which combined with the Wii version have shipped two million copies). Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies shows that the franchise can work well on handhelds and wonderfully so.
I do not care how many hardware units the PSP has sold. It's software sales are a failure making the PSP, in my eyes, a failure as well. You have to wonder when your top game sells only 300,000 units what the problem is. How can Sony get third parties on-board with the PSP NGP with higher dev costs and the potential for lesser sales? Especially when its main competition has an eight month lead on it? Regardless, it's sad to see such titles fail so badly. Ghost of Sparta performed well below expectations, and that's the theme with PSP software for the year. 2011 isn't looking any better.
===
The results have been analyzed to death, so now it's your turn. What surprises you on the top ten best-selling games for each platform? Anything come out at you? Let me know in the comments section.
Friday, February 4, 2011
SuperPhillip's Favorite Anime Themes - Round Two
Two weeks ago, I introduced to the world my favorite anime themes. Two weeks later, they're back to kick off your weekend just right. This week we're piloting mechas with the Big O and Brain Powerd, fighting off demons in Darker Than Black, solving crimes with Detective Conan, and going all schizo in Paranoia Agent. Enjoy!
Volume 6: Stand A Chance (The Big O)
In the original season of the Big O, when Stand A Chance played, you knew that sh*t was about to go down. The Big O would rise from its underground chamber, destroying streets, buildings, and domes-- for sport! This track is the third track on the Big O OST 1. A second season would be made thanks to the efforts of the Cartoon Network's [adult swim]. Perhaps they shouldn't have done that. Sure, the new music was excellent, but the actual story was pretty stupid. Tomatoes! Oh my god! Those damned tomatoes! I'M NOT A TOMATO! GAAAAAAAAH!!!
Volume 7: Power of the Light (Brain Powerd)
I have no idea what Brain Powerd is, and I'm guessing the first OST cover art does not tell me anything I need to know. All I do know, however, is that this is another masterpiece from the virtuoso composer, Yoko Kanno. Power of the Light is the very first track on the first OST of Brain Powerd. I love the piano here, probably played by Mrs. Kanno herself. It's a happy-go-lucky tune that never fails to put a smile on my face. Now if one of you could explain to me what the hell a Brain Powerd is. Wikapedia, here I come.
Volume 8: Main Theme (Baker Gai Version) (Detective Conan)
You might know this anime in the West as Case Closed. I remember watching this show on Adult Swim and loving it. It's particularly satisfying when you solve the murder yourself! Otherwise known as Detective Conan in Japan, but changed to its obvious resemblance to the West's Conan the Barbarian, Detective Conan involves a teen sleuth who stumbles his way into a trap. He gets drugged with a youth serum their reverts him back to his childhood. Now living with his wannabe girlfriend and her doofus detective dad, Conan's gotta solve crimes while keeping undercover as his kid form. This theme is the main theme, Baker Gai version. Enjoy.
Volume 9: Dream Island Obsessional Park (Paranoia Agent)
Paranoia Agent was definitely a mindf**k of a series. It was grim in tone, sarcastic in nature, and just disturbing as all get out. Unfortunately, the creator of the series, Satoshi Kon, passed away late in 2010 way too soon. Onto happier things, this theme, Dream Island Obsessional Park, is the introductory theme to the anime, Paranoia Agent. Lil Slugger is out at night, taking out victims with his golden bat, skating on his golden roller skates. The soundtrack itself is quite eclectic with trance, suspenseful themes and much more. It's encouraged to listen to the whole soundtrack (someone's already uploaded it), and enjoy.
Volume 10: GO Dark (Darker Than Black)
Yoko Kanno sure gets around a lot. I mean that in a musical sense. Not calling her a tramp or anything. Anyway, no idea what a Darker Than Black is, and frankly, I don't care either. All I do know is that the soundtrack is amazing as per usual when Mrs. Kanno is at the helm. GO Dark sounds a lot like the beginning of a late night TV talk show to me. Dunno why. It's the very first track on the first Darker Than Black OST. It's a straight-up jazz song perfect for fighting, similar to her work on the Cowboy Bebop series. When you mention Cowboy Bebop, you know I'm there!
For the time being, that's all the favorite anime themes (or FAT) I have to share with you folks. Until two weeks from now, we'll see you back here where Sailor Moon, Kazuma from S-cry-ed and Escaflowne will be joining us!
Volume 6: Stand A Chance (The Big O)
In the original season of the Big O, when Stand A Chance played, you knew that sh*t was about to go down. The Big O would rise from its underground chamber, destroying streets, buildings, and domes-- for sport! This track is the third track on the Big O OST 1. A second season would be made thanks to the efforts of the Cartoon Network's [adult swim]. Perhaps they shouldn't have done that. Sure, the new music was excellent, but the actual story was pretty stupid. Tomatoes! Oh my god! Those damned tomatoes! I'M NOT A TOMATO! GAAAAAAAAH!!!
Volume 7: Power of the Light (Brain Powerd)
I have no idea what Brain Powerd is, and I'm guessing the first OST cover art does not tell me anything I need to know. All I do know, however, is that this is another masterpiece from the virtuoso composer, Yoko Kanno. Power of the Light is the very first track on the first OST of Brain Powerd. I love the piano here, probably played by Mrs. Kanno herself. It's a happy-go-lucky tune that never fails to put a smile on my face. Now if one of you could explain to me what the hell a Brain Powerd is. Wikapedia, here I come.
Volume 8: Main Theme (Baker Gai Version) (Detective Conan)
You might know this anime in the West as Case Closed. I remember watching this show on Adult Swim and loving it. It's particularly satisfying when you solve the murder yourself! Otherwise known as Detective Conan in Japan, but changed to its obvious resemblance to the West's Conan the Barbarian, Detective Conan involves a teen sleuth who stumbles his way into a trap. He gets drugged with a youth serum their reverts him back to his childhood. Now living with his wannabe girlfriend and her doofus detective dad, Conan's gotta solve crimes while keeping undercover as his kid form. This theme is the main theme, Baker Gai version. Enjoy.
Volume 9: Dream Island Obsessional Park (Paranoia Agent)
Paranoia Agent was definitely a mindf**k of a series. It was grim in tone, sarcastic in nature, and just disturbing as all get out. Unfortunately, the creator of the series, Satoshi Kon, passed away late in 2010 way too soon. Onto happier things, this theme, Dream Island Obsessional Park, is the introductory theme to the anime, Paranoia Agent. Lil Slugger is out at night, taking out victims with his golden bat, skating on his golden roller skates. The soundtrack itself is quite eclectic with trance, suspenseful themes and much more. It's encouraged to listen to the whole soundtrack (someone's already uploaded it), and enjoy.
Volume 10: GO Dark (Darker Than Black)
Yoko Kanno sure gets around a lot. I mean that in a musical sense. Not calling her a tramp or anything. Anyway, no idea what a Darker Than Black is, and frankly, I don't care either. All I do know is that the soundtrack is amazing as per usual when Mrs. Kanno is at the helm. GO Dark sounds a lot like the beginning of a late night TV talk show to me. Dunno why. It's the very first track on the first Darker Than Black OST. It's a straight-up jazz song perfect for fighting, similar to her work on the Cowboy Bebop series. When you mention Cowboy Bebop, you know I'm there!
For the time being, that's all the favorite anime themes (or FAT) I have to share with you folks. Until two weeks from now, we'll see you back here where Sailor Moon, Kazuma from S-cry-ed and Escaflowne will be joining us!
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Rank Up! - Tony Hawk series
The Tony Hawk series has certainly seen better days. With the skateboard peripheral games not performing the best gameplay-wise and sales-wise, I think it's time we look back at the series' roots. As always, Rank Up! is where we take a famous game series, list the games from worst to best, and call it an early evening. Sounds fun, no? As always, if you disagree with my list, let me know in the comments section. That's what they are there for, isn't it? These are the games we will be ranking today-- the main console entries, excluding Shred and Ride:
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater (PS1, N64, DC)
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 (PS1, N64, DC)
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 (PS2, GCN, XBX, PS1, N64)
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 (PS2, GCN, XBX)
Tony Hawk's Underground (PS2, GCN, XBX)
Tony Hawk's Underground 2 (PS2, GCN, XBX)
Tony Hawk's American Wasteland (PS2, GCN, XBX, 360)
Tony Hawk's Project 8 (PS3, 360, PS2)
Tony Hawk's Proving Ground (PS3, 360, Wii, PS2)
When the original Tony Hawk's Pro Skater came out, it revolutionized the skateboarding genre. Nowadays we take for granted the series, and for good reason-- it just isn't that good or remarkable anymore. Nonetheless, tricking out in the training area, the school, and Area 51 were just some of the wonderful locales one could thrash around in. Every year, it seemed, a new Tony Hawk game would come out and blow gamers away. It was by American Wasteland that the feeling of ennui came before players as the series took its unfortunate toll on people.
9) Tony Hawk's Project 8 (PS3, 360)
This game was Tony Hawk's attempt at realism, and again, it worked well. Instead of spanning the world across various levels, you had one big city open to you. As you completed goals, new parts of the city would open up for your skater to explore. The premise was to beat enough challenges to get on Tony Hawk's Project 8 skating team. Though the weak character creation system was a brutal flaw with this game to me. You were stuck between archetypes with little maneuverability. Regardless, those looking for a realistic skating experience can check out this title or the next game on our list, Proving Ground.
8) Tony Hawk's Proving Ground (PS3, 360, Wii)
By the time Proving Ground was released, genre fatigue had already set in. Gamers had moved on to EA's popular Skate franchise. That didn't stop Proving Ground from being a competent skating title. In fact, it was quite good. It featured new Nail the Grab and Nail the Manual special trick goals, the ability to seamlessly skate between offline and on, create personalized skate videos with customization like never before, and explore a city ripe for skating.
7) Tony Hawk's American Wasteland (PS2, GCN, XBX, 360)
The 360 version of this game was perfect for achievement whores, pending they could find all of the game's well-hidden gaps. Nonetheless, the city of Los Angeles was yours to explore with different locales from Hollywood to a junkyard where pieces of broken skate spots accumulated as you terrorized the city. Sure, tricking off pedestrians in Beverly Hills had its own allure, but when you got down to it, the real fun was following the enjoyable story, and for the first time ever, pulling off one distinct trick from one end of the city to the other.
6) Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 (PS2, GCN, XBX)
Instead of having two minutes to take on as many goals as you wished, Pro Skater 4 introduced something new to the series that would stick with it to this day-- the ability to carouse levels in a sandbox-fashion. You'd skate up to other skaters or pedestrians, complete their goal, and unlock new challenges and skating competitions. As you neared the end of your skating tour from college campuses to city streets, you'd take on challenges from Tony Hawk himself among other top skaters. Pull off a 900 across two sky-high halfpipes. YOU'RE THE KING, BABY!
5) Tony Hawk's Pro Skater (PS1, N64, DC)
The original Tony Hawk's Pro Skater is probably many a-gamer's favorite title in the series. It's the original-- a-number-one. Regardless, many future titles would surpass it. That notwithstanding, the very first Pro Skater introduced gamers to skating culture whether you were collecting S-K-A-T-E letters, finding a well-hidden secret tape, or pulling off a high score within two minutes. You had two minutes each go-round, and you'd travel from exciting levels like the original school and the mall, to name a couple.
4) Tony Hawk's Underground (PS2, GCN, XBX)
Tony Hawk's Underground was the very first THPS game to introduce a deep story, and for all intents and purposes it worked out well. The story took you as a novice skater in New Jersey with a buddy who would soon betray you multiple times throughout your journey together. The ability to hop off your board may seem like a gimmick, but it absolutely saved me some frustration of constantly hitting my board against a wall or railing, unwillingly getting bounced back the way I just came from, all for the trouble of just reaching my destination. So getting off your board was an easier way of reaching your destination, and I loved it. It made exploring cake.
3) Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 (PS1, N64, DC)
Introducing the combo-continuing revert was a life-saver for virtual skaters everywhere. Additional tricks were added to beef up the small amount of tricks available in the first Hawk game. The second THPS game introduced awesome new locales such as Minneapolis, the Bullring, and the School 2. The goals were pretty much the same: get two minutes, grab five doodads, collect all five S-K-A-T-E letters, create a killer combo, etc. And besides that, what other game would let you shred as Spider-man?
2) Tony Hawk's Underground 2 (PS2, GCN, XBX)
Apart from the Jackass storyline, I love this Tony Hawk game second-best because it had two modes. It had your standard story mode that was popular in this era, AND it had classic mode where you had two minutes to complete as many goals as possible before time ran out. You could also create your own goals much like with the original Underground. You could either use the pre-made levels or use your own custom skateparks. There was a lot of wild and wacky fun to be had in this title, and Bam Margera not included, it was one enjoyable experience.
1) Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 (PS2, GCN, XBX)
Never before had there been such an awesome skating experience than Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3, and in my opinion, never would there be again. The levels were some of the series' best from the cold, frigid temperatures of Canada to running down the terminals in the Airport level. Beating campaign mode as a character unlocked a new secret skater, and these weren't just Barney Buttsavage or what have you. These were fantasy skaters such as Darth Maul, Wolverine, and Neversoft's eyeball mascot. THPS3 is without a doubt my favorite of the Tony Hawk titles.
What about you? Surely, your list differs greatly from mine. Let everyone know your opinion in the comments section.
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater (PS1, N64, DC)
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 (PS1, N64, DC)
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 (PS2, GCN, XBX, PS1, N64)
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 (PS2, GCN, XBX)
Tony Hawk's Underground (PS2, GCN, XBX)
Tony Hawk's Underground 2 (PS2, GCN, XBX)
Tony Hawk's American Wasteland (PS2, GCN, XBX, 360)
Tony Hawk's Project 8 (PS3, 360, PS2)
Tony Hawk's Proving Ground (PS3, 360, Wii, PS2)
When the original Tony Hawk's Pro Skater came out, it revolutionized the skateboarding genre. Nowadays we take for granted the series, and for good reason-- it just isn't that good or remarkable anymore. Nonetheless, tricking out in the training area, the school, and Area 51 were just some of the wonderful locales one could thrash around in. Every year, it seemed, a new Tony Hawk game would come out and blow gamers away. It was by American Wasteland that the feeling of ennui came before players as the series took its unfortunate toll on people.
9) Tony Hawk's Project 8 (PS3, 360)
This game was Tony Hawk's attempt at realism, and again, it worked well. Instead of spanning the world across various levels, you had one big city open to you. As you completed goals, new parts of the city would open up for your skater to explore. The premise was to beat enough challenges to get on Tony Hawk's Project 8 skating team. Though the weak character creation system was a brutal flaw with this game to me. You were stuck between archetypes with little maneuverability. Regardless, those looking for a realistic skating experience can check out this title or the next game on our list, Proving Ground.
8) Tony Hawk's Proving Ground (PS3, 360, Wii)
By the time Proving Ground was released, genre fatigue had already set in. Gamers had moved on to EA's popular Skate franchise. That didn't stop Proving Ground from being a competent skating title. In fact, it was quite good. It featured new Nail the Grab and Nail the Manual special trick goals, the ability to seamlessly skate between offline and on, create personalized skate videos with customization like never before, and explore a city ripe for skating.
7) Tony Hawk's American Wasteland (PS2, GCN, XBX, 360)
The 360 version of this game was perfect for achievement whores, pending they could find all of the game's well-hidden gaps. Nonetheless, the city of Los Angeles was yours to explore with different locales from Hollywood to a junkyard where pieces of broken skate spots accumulated as you terrorized the city. Sure, tricking off pedestrians in Beverly Hills had its own allure, but when you got down to it, the real fun was following the enjoyable story, and for the first time ever, pulling off one distinct trick from one end of the city to the other.
6) Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 (PS2, GCN, XBX)
Instead of having two minutes to take on as many goals as you wished, Pro Skater 4 introduced something new to the series that would stick with it to this day-- the ability to carouse levels in a sandbox-fashion. You'd skate up to other skaters or pedestrians, complete their goal, and unlock new challenges and skating competitions. As you neared the end of your skating tour from college campuses to city streets, you'd take on challenges from Tony Hawk himself among other top skaters. Pull off a 900 across two sky-high halfpipes. YOU'RE THE KING, BABY!
5) Tony Hawk's Pro Skater (PS1, N64, DC)
The original Tony Hawk's Pro Skater is probably many a-gamer's favorite title in the series. It's the original-- a-number-one. Regardless, many future titles would surpass it. That notwithstanding, the very first Pro Skater introduced gamers to skating culture whether you were collecting S-K-A-T-E letters, finding a well-hidden secret tape, or pulling off a high score within two minutes. You had two minutes each go-round, and you'd travel from exciting levels like the original school and the mall, to name a couple.
4) Tony Hawk's Underground (PS2, GCN, XBX)
Tony Hawk's Underground was the very first THPS game to introduce a deep story, and for all intents and purposes it worked out well. The story took you as a novice skater in New Jersey with a buddy who would soon betray you multiple times throughout your journey together. The ability to hop off your board may seem like a gimmick, but it absolutely saved me some frustration of constantly hitting my board against a wall or railing, unwillingly getting bounced back the way I just came from, all for the trouble of just reaching my destination. So getting off your board was an easier way of reaching your destination, and I loved it. It made exploring cake.
3) Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 (PS1, N64, DC)
Introducing the combo-continuing revert was a life-saver for virtual skaters everywhere. Additional tricks were added to beef up the small amount of tricks available in the first Hawk game. The second THPS game introduced awesome new locales such as Minneapolis, the Bullring, and the School 2. The goals were pretty much the same: get two minutes, grab five doodads, collect all five S-K-A-T-E letters, create a killer combo, etc. And besides that, what other game would let you shred as Spider-man?
2) Tony Hawk's Underground 2 (PS2, GCN, XBX)
Apart from the Jackass storyline, I love this Tony Hawk game second-best because it had two modes. It had your standard story mode that was popular in this era, AND it had classic mode where you had two minutes to complete as many goals as possible before time ran out. You could also create your own goals much like with the original Underground. You could either use the pre-made levels or use your own custom skateparks. There was a lot of wild and wacky fun to be had in this title, and Bam Margera not included, it was one enjoyable experience.
1) Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 (PS2, GCN, XBX)
Never before had there been such an awesome skating experience than Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3, and in my opinion, never would there be again. The levels were some of the series' best from the cold, frigid temperatures of Canada to running down the terminals in the Airport level. Beating campaign mode as a character unlocked a new secret skater, and these weren't just Barney Buttsavage or what have you. These were fantasy skaters such as Darth Maul, Wolverine, and Neversoft's eyeball mascot. THPS3 is without a doubt my favorite of the Tony Hawk titles.
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What about you? Surely, your list differs greatly from mine. Let everyone know your opinion in the comments section.
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