The Game That Revolutionized Music, Skateboarding, and Video Games: Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater

When Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater hit the market on September 29, 1999, it became more than just a successful video game. It transformed skateboarding culture, introducing millions to both the sport and punk music. Tony Hawk, already a skateboarding legend, helped launch a cultural revolution that continues to resonate today.

At the time, skateboarding, particularly vert skating, had seen a sharp decline in popularity. But in just a few years, the sport surged back, aided by the X Games and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater. The game was nearly complete when Hawk famously landed the first 900, a gravity-defying two-and-a-half rotation spin, at the 1999 X Games. Developers quickly incorporated the trick into the game, making it a highlight for players.

But THPS was more than a showcase for cool tricks. It captured the essence of skateboarding culture, starting with its soundtrack. Tony Hawk personally suggested older punk tracks to accompany the game’s levels. This move mirrored the connection between skateboarding and punk music that had already been seen in the Vans Warped Tour and skate videos. “That was the soundtrack to the skate parks back in the day” Hawk explained, referencing the influence of punkrock on the skating scene.

The game’s immediate success was undeniable. It received glowing reviews and paved the way for Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2. Over the years, the series has released more than a dozen titles, with over 30 million units sold by 2008. In 2020, a remastered version of the first two games was released, selling over a million copies within two weeks.

It wasn’t just the game that gained popularity; the punk bands featured on the soundtrack also found new audiences. J Navarro from The Suicide Machines said their shows swelled from a couple of hundred attendees to over a thousand after their song New Girl appeared in the game. “Our shows almost increased overnight” he noted.

Other bands experienced similar boosts. Joe Escalante of The Vandals recalled how their song Euro-Barge became one of their most streamed tracks, even though it hadn’t been in the European version of the game. “If you go on Spotify…it’s usually in the top three songs of ours in popularity” Escalante shared.

One of the game’s most iconic tracks, Goldfinger’s Superman became synonymous with the THPS series. “That song has followed me through my life for the last 25 years” Hawk declared.

Looking back, the famous skater expressed pride in the game’s impact. “It introduced a whole generation to a genre of music they may have never experienced” he said, reflecting on the legacy of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater. More than just a game, it reshaped music, sports, and gaming, leaving a lasting influence on each.

In short, the video game Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater didn’t just bring skateboarding into the mainstream, it changed every aspect of the culture surrounding it.

Source: LA Times