You can play either as Tony Hawk or choose from nine other professional skateboarders, each with varying specialty moves. You start off in Career Mode and try to collect hidden VCR tapes while completing the five challenges per level. The collection of tapes is necessary to gain access to each of the succeeding nine levels, three of which are contest levels. The tapes also are used to get you better skateboards that will improve your stats. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater.
Graphics are simple but impressive, given the physics involved.
It is especially fun to see how many points you can rack up with combo tricks or when you find a secret section of the level. The controls also are fairly easy to figure, though you may have to hit three buttons in rapid sequence for some complex moves. Even if you're not fond of skateboarding or skateboarders, you'll still enjoy this game, which is also available for Nintendo 64. Not only is it fun, but it will increase your skateboard lingo. Adam Polan, a junior at University High School, is a member of StarTech's team of software and video-game testers.