by Wyatt "JOEDOG" Elliott
If your a gamer, you've been hearing about Activision's skating game Tony Hawk's Pro Skater for Playstation. If your a Nintendo 64 or Dreamcast owner you've been left out of the phenomenon, until now. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater is finally on Nintendo 64 and Dreamcast.
This is the skate boarding masterpiece you've been hearing about. You have never seen graphics like these. Tony Hawk moves so realistically its scary. The total freedom you have around the skate parks and in the streets.
The motion captured moves combined with realistic physics make a great playing experience.
Polygon players with no break and lots of detail, and the N64 only makes them better. However the Dreamcast edition features the biggest improvements.
When you fall off your board, and you will, your boarder hits the ground with such force it hurts. You can hear it, feel it with a Rumble Pack. Ouch, That's gotta hurt.
Tony Hawk requires you to earn points by performing tricks, collecting symbols, and destroying boxes to win. Sound easy? Think again. Pro Skater's only problem is how difficult it is. You will have to master all your jumps and stunts to advance to the next level. The control is easy to learn, and so responsive. The Dreamcast edition features superior control over the 64 version.
There are more skaters to choose from other than Tony Hawk. Play as professional skaters, Geoff Rowley, Elissa Steamer, Jamie Thomas, and more.
Tony Hawk has picked out a great sound track as a back drop to this great game. Hard hitting tunes from Primus, Dead Kennedys, The Ernies, Unsane, and much more.
Pro Skater is not your typical snowboard on wheels excuse for a game. They have gone above and beyond to make a genuine skate board simulator, and it translates well onto these advanced systems.
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater has done what others could not. Accurately portray skate boarders with true physics and show the no pain no gain reality of it all. If your a skater or not, if your a gamer, you have to experience the revolution known as Tony Hawk. No matter what system you own.
PUBLISHER: ACTIVISION
NINTENDO 64 / DREAMCAST
GRAPHICS: 9 / 9
MUSIC & SOUND: 8 / 8
CONTROL: 9 / 9
SECRETS: 9 / 9
ORIGINALITY: 9 / 9
FUN & REPLAY: 10 / 10
OVERALL: 9 / 9