Top 10 Best Skateboarding Video Games

The controller grip tightening as you try to land that one trick for the fiftieth time. The flick of the analog stick, the snap of the tail, the sound of virtual urethane smacking against concrete. When a skateboarding game gets it right, you're not just playing. You're flowing.

Some of these games throw you into cities that feel alive with skate spots begging to be hit. Others are pure arcade chaos, where gravity is more of a polite suggestion than a rule. You've got story modes, custom parks, real skaters, fantasy tricks, ragdoll physics, and enough failed kickflips to start a blooper reel.

But which of these games truly stuck the landing? That's what this list is about. Voting is your way of popping a metaphorical tre flip and saying, "Yeah, this one nailed it." Did a certain game fuel your obsession for months? Did it finally teach you the difference between a heelflip and a varial? Then give it the nod it deserves.

The Top Ten

  1. Skate 3

    Developed by EA Black Box and released in 2010, this title features a new city called Port Carverton. It introduces team-based gameplay mechanics, allowing players to build their own skateboarding crew. The game was published for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

    This game is realistic and has lots of pros in it. There's a great selection of customization options for how you look. The controls are amazing, and the game has great features like building your own skatepark and customizing street spots. It's awesome. I paid $20 for it.

    You can skydive. You can film. You can build. You can parkour. You can glitch. You can mess with people. You can create a character. You can skate. This is the best skate game for sure!

    Best game ever. You can play as pro skaters and ride what they ride, or you can play as yourself and call them to skate with you. Pure awesomeness!

  2. Skate.

    Released in 2007 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, this game introduced a flick-based control system known as "Flickit." It was developed by EA Black Box and published by Electronic Arts. The game takes place in the fictional city of San Vanelona.

    Come on, Skate has the best gameplay compared to any other Tony Hawk game. It's also more realistic than Proving Ground.

    It was good, except for the fact that you couldn't get off your skateboard.

    Skate is the best skateboarding game in the world... and I know what I'm saying...

  3. Tony Hawk's American Wasteland

    This 2005 game features a seamless open-world environment without load times between levels. It was developed by Neversoft and published by Activision. The game is set in a fictionalized version of Los Angeles.

    Tony Hawk games were always better. If you want realism, go skate outside like me. That's why EA Skate only had three games compared to the ten Tony Hawk games. The sales were poor because it was too realistic. Again, go skate outside because nothing is more real than reality.

    Way better than other skate games. You can play Capture the Flag in THUG 2, and that alone is better than the Skate franchise.

    So many memories. This game has everything: skateboards, BMX, lots of tricks, places, clothes, etc.

  4. Skate 2

    Released in 2009 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, this sequel continues the story in the rebuilt city of New San Vanelona. It adds new gameplay features such as the ability to dismount the skateboard and move objects. The game was developed by EA Black Box.

    Played the demo. I own Skate 3, but this seems a bit more realistic with ragdoll physics when you crash. The colors are much more interesting. I plan to buy this in the near future.

    Skate 2 is the best. Everything about it is good, from mucking around in security zones to secret spots.

    This is the best skateboarding game ever, and I will never change my opinion.

  5. Tony Hawk's Proving Ground

    Developed by Neversoft and released in 2007, this game emphasizes player choice through three different skating styles. It was released for multiple platforms including PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Nintendo DS. The setting spans real-world cities like Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington D.C.

    Best skateboarding game I have ever seen. It rocks!

    The storyline was awesome. Best game in the Tony Hawk series. The graphics were brilliant, but the downside is that we cannot make a skate park like in THUG and THUG 2.

    This game is the best skateboarding game. I had to bring it over to a friend's place to play it again after my PS2 stopped working. The only other game that is better than this is Skate 3. I'd give it a 9.25/10.

    I had this game when it first came out. Does anyone know of an emulator? Because I want this game on PC!

  6. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4

    Released in 2002, this entry moves away from timed runs in favor of goal-based progression. It was developed by Neversoft and published by Activision. The game includes professional skaters and various real-world inspired locations.

    I've played almost every skateboarding game released on PC, and I can say that this is the best one. The second-best one is TH Underground, which is also amazing.

    This game absolutely symbolizes my childhood and is easily one of my favorite video games of all time, not just for the PS2 but for any game system.

  7. Tony Hawk's Project 8

    Debuting in 2006, this game introduces a new engine for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions with enhanced physics. It features an open-world design and motion-capture animations. The game was developed by Neversoft.

    This should be way up at the top. Who wants realism when you can get a kickin' free-roam sandbox game like this one? Proving Ground is good too, but this game is not too difficult to beat, and I love everything about it!

  8. Tony Hawk's Underground 2

    Released in 2004, this sequel blends traditional skateboarding gameplay with a "World Destruction Tour" storyline. It features a mix of real and fictional skaters. The game was developed by Neversoft.

    It may not be the most realistic skateboarding game, but THUG 2 will always hold a special place in my heart. Some of the goals are annoying to complete but still satisfying when you do. The controls can be a bit wonky at times, but it's only an issue when you're trying to pull off something crazy. The story is a little weird and goofy, but I think that's part of its charm. All in all, I'd give this game a solid 8/10.

    This game was the craziest and most fun of all of them, with all the destruction, special and guest skaters, and the final level you unlock in space, the Mayan temple, and hell! How is this not #1?

  9. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2

    Originally released in 2000, this game introduced the manual trick to extend combos. It was developed by Neversoft and released for platforms including PlayStation, Dreamcast, and PC. The game features both professional skaters and a level editor.

    Come on, what's up with people these days? Tony Hawk games will always be better than the Skate series. Games will never be truly realistic. The Skate series has good games, but people decide what they like. Tony Hawk Pro Skater will always be my favorite.

    My first favorite skateboarding game. This was the game that helped me fall in love with the genre.

    Come on, this game is the best skateboarding game.

  10. Thrasher: Skate and Destroy

    Released in 1999 for the PlayStation, this game features realistic physics and a unique trick execution system. It was developed by Z-Axis and published by Rockstar Games. The soundtrack includes underground hip-hop artists.

    Thrasher was definitely a groundbreaking game. Very fun. I could probably pick it up and still play it today.

    The game mechanics were odd but realistic, especially when compared to THPS. In THPS, you go faster than the speed of sound within seconds.

    A skateboarding sim before Skate, by far the best skateboarding game on the original PlayStation.

    11. The Newcomers
  11. ?

    Griptape Backbone

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    Backyard Skateboarding

    Part of the Backyard Sports series, this game was released in 2004 for PC and Game Boy Advance. It features cartoon-style graphics and child-friendly gameplay. Professional skater Andy Macdonald appears as a character.

    I grew up playing this game with my brothers. I don't know if I would say that it's the best skateboarding game out there, but it's my favorite.

    13. The Contenders

  13. Tony Hawk's Underground

    Launched in 2003, this game incorporates a story mode with character customization and a focus on narrative progression. Players can walk off the board and drive vehicles. It was developed by Neversoft and published by Activision.

    I know that the gameplay is not as good as newer games like the Skate franchise, but it was this game that made me want to become a skater! Doing all the tricks was cool and made me want to be able to do them. However, it was the cut scenes and storyline that really inspired me to start skating. I completed the career mode and soon after taught myself to ride a skateboard.

    Initially, I thought it was too much hard work. However, around six months later, I started playing Tony Hawk's Proving Ground, and I wanted to start skating really badly. So, I got a skateboard and began to learn. Now I've been skating for a year and a half, and I've learned a lot of tricks. I love skateboarding!

  14. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3

    Released in 2001, this game was the first in the series to feature online play on PlayStation 2. It was developed by Neversoft and included new moves like the revert. The game features real-world professional skaters.

  15. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater

    The original title in the franchise, released in 1999, helped popularize skateboarding video games. It was developed by Neversoft and published by Activision. The game includes a roster of professional skaters and a two-minute run format.

    This really needs to go up because it was the first great skateboarding game ever made.

  16. Shaun White Skateboarding

    Released in 2010, this game emphasizes altering the environment through skateboarding. It was developed by Ubisoft Montreal and published by Ubisoft. The game features a fictional dystopian setting.

    This game has the best graphics for a skateboarding game on PC. It's far better than Tony Hawk's Proving Ground and has really sick moves.

  17. Street Sesh

    A browser-based 3D skateboarding game, it features simple keyboard controls and urban environments. It was developed as an online Flash game. Players can perform tricks and combos while exploring a city setting.

    Great online skateboarding game.

  18. Disney's Extreme Skate Adventure

    Released in 2003, this game combines skateboarding gameplay with Disney and Pixar characters. It uses the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 engine. Levels are themed around films like "The Lion King" and "Toy Story."

  19. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 5

    Released in 2015, this game reintroduces the classic arcade-style gameplay with online multiplayer integration. It was developed by Robomodo and published by Activision. The game faced criticism for technical issues at launch.

  20. Skate It

    A spin-off from the Skate series, this game was released in 2008 for the Wii, Nintendo DS, and iOS. It includes motion-based controls using the Wii Balance Board. The game features a post-earthquake version of San Vanelona.

  21. True Skate

    This mobile game simulates realistic skateboard physics using touch-based controls. It was developed by True Axis and released for iOS and Android. The game focuses on sandbox-style gameplay within realistic skatepark environments.

    True Skate is the best iOS skate game.

  22. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD

    Released in 2012, this title is a downloadable remake combining levels from the first two Pro Skater games. It was developed by Robomodo and uses Unreal Engine 3. The game was made available on Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network, and PC.

  23. Skate or Die!

    Originally released in 1987, this game features multiple skating events including freestyle and downhill racing. It was developed by Electronic Arts and released on platforms such as the NES and Commodore 64. The game includes competitive multiplayer modes.

  24. Grind Session

    Released in 2000 for the PlayStation, this game features both professional and customizable skaters. It was developed by Shaba Games and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. The game includes real skate parks and trick challenges.

  25. Tony Hawk's American Sk8Land

    This title was released in 2005 for the Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance. It uses cel-shaded graphics and incorporates touchscreen controls. The game includes Wi-Fi capabilities for sharing content.

  26. Endless Skater

    Released as a free-to-play title, this game features procedurally generated levels with no defined end. It was developed by SuperVillain Studios. The game was available on Xbox platforms and mobile devices.

  27. 720

    Originally released by Atari in 1986, this arcade game features four skating events and an isometric perspective. The player must earn tickets to compete in events by skating around the open map. It was later ported to various home consoles and computers.

    Released by Atari in 1987, it is noted for being the first "extreme sports" video arcade game.

    Don't ever forget your roots, gamers.

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