Skateboarding Video Games
720 was the first in a long line of skateboarding video games,
and that line shows no sign of stopping.
720 -
The first skateboarding video game hit the arcades in 1986,
inviting players to test their skills in a land built solely for
skateboarding.
California Games -
Just like Epyx's earler titles Summer Games and
Winter Games, California Games is actually a series of different
events strung together into a single competition. In this case the events are
all sports popular in California. Skateboarding is represented by the
half-pipe event, while other events cover roller-skating, footbag, surfing,
BMX and flying disk. One sequel followed.
Skate or Die! -
The year after 720 was released, its catch phrase turned
into a popular game of its own. A sequel and a Game Boy spin-off
followed.
Skate Boardin' -
This is the Atari 2600's only dedicated skateboarding game. A
sequel became the Atari 7800's only game to feature skateboarding at all, named
Super Skateboardin'.
Top Skater -
This arcade game from Sega upped the experience by featuring a
skateboard-like controller for players to stand on and control as they
played.
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater -
It wasn't the first, but it is by far the most memorable of
skateboarding video games. So far Tony Hawk has spawned three sequels,
an HD remake and a growing list of spin-offs, all featuring Tony Hawk's
name. What Madden is to football games, Tony Hawk is now to skateboarding
games.
Street Boarders -
This title for Japanese PlayStations became Street Skater
when released in the U.S.
Thrasher Presents Skate and Destroy -
Joining the crowded arena of PlayStation skateboarding titles,
this one enticed players with a promise of more realistic skating compared to
the loose arcade style of Tony Hawk.
Grind Session -
This PlayStation release followed more in Tony Hawk's footsteps,
featuring celebrity skaters and skate parks modeled on several real-life
locations.
Disney's Extremely Goofy Skateboarding -
Disney's most lovable goof got his own skateboarding game in 2001.
Other Disney characters later appeared in other Disney skateboarding titles,
including Disney Sports Skateboarding and Disney's Extreme Skate
Adventure.
Yanya Caballista featuring Gawoo -
This PlayStation 2 offering came with a mini skateboard meant to
attach across the controller's two analog sticks. For its U.S. release the
game was renamed Yanya Caballista: City Skater.
Evolution Skateboarding -
Konami tried to prove they too could make a celebrity-filled
skateboarding game. They succeeded in that, if not much else.
The Simpsons Skateboarding -
Skateboarding (again) goes toony as Bart, Homer and the rest of
Springfield hit the ramps.
Go! Go! Hypergrind -
Spumco, best known as the house Ren and Stimpy built, is putting
together a new cartoon show based on skateboarding, or so the premise of this
game says. Hopefuls must skate to prove they have what it takes to be a
cartoon skating star.
Skate -
This game for the XBox 360 and PlayStation 3 gets straight to the
point, at least in its title. The game's success lead to two sequels and a
mobile and Wii spin-off named Skate It.
Shaun White Skateboarding -
Snowboarding legend Shaun White tries his luck on skateboarding in
this latest celebrity tie-in.