Ranking 16 Skateboarding Video Games You Should Try

Skateboarding video games have become quite scarce in recent times. Once a thriving genre in the late ’90s and early ’00s, thanks to titles like the Tony Hawk’s series, it has since faded into obscurity, much to the disappointment of its dedicated fan base.

16. Shaun White Skateboarding

Although it’s a bit dated, Shaun White Skateboarding remains an enjoyable gaming experience. In this game, you’ll embark on a mission to inject colour and vitality back into a dull and monotonous cityscape, adopting a DeBlob-inspired approach to skateboarding.

The game has stood the test of time, featuring a distinctive style and an engaging gameplay experience as you perform flips and tricks in a beautifully revitalised city. Unfortunately, it’s not compatible with modern platforms, so you’ll need to dust off some beloved old hardware to enjoy it.

15. Skate City

Offering a simpler gaming experience, Skate City caters to those seeking a more casual yet time-worthy experience. This side-scrolling game allows you to execute tricks while traversing linear levels.

You can tackle specific challenges, completing tricks or objectives within time constraints, or opt for endless skating sessions where the level loops indefinitely, providing a more relaxed experience compared to the adrenaline-pumping intensity of other games.

14. OlliOlli

Staying true to the side-scrolling style, OlliOlli is the inaugural entry in a series of stylish, arcade-style skateboarding games where your primary goal is to amass a high score. Skate, grind, and perform flips across various locations to claim the top spot on leaderboards.

While subsequent sequels have made improvements, the original OlliOlli still offers plenty of thrills and is budget-friendly, making it a must-try.

13. SkateBIRD

Embracing a lighthearted and quirky vibe, SkateBird casts you as a diminutive bird on a quest to become the ultimate skateboarder. Prepare for some friendly competition as you skate alongside other talented avian boarders in this charming arcade-style game, reminiscent of TH Pro Skater but with feathers.

The game features charming environments where you can perform tricks over conveniently placed half-pipes or execute kickflips over everyday objects, promising a fun-filled experience.

12. The Ramp

Stripping skateboarding down to its core essence, The Ramp offers a straightforward premise: ascend the ramp, perform tricks, descend, and repeat. With its simplistic controls and minimalist art style, it’s the epitome of pick-up-and-play entertainment.

Featuring various levels, including a halfpipe, a large ramp, and empty pools, The Ramp provides endless opportunities for ramp-based tricks, offering a relaxing way to pass the time in a virtual skateboarding world.

11. Tony Hawk’s American Wasteland

Tony Hawk games are a recurring presence in the world of skateboarding titles, and American Wasteland, while not the most popular entry, offers a delightful blend of enjoyable and whimsical skateboarding action. It also includes BMX gameplay, although our focus here is strictly on skateboarding.

The skateboarding mechanics in American Wasteland are reminiscent of other Tony Hawk titles, with shared gameplay mechanics. The game’s maps are enjoyable to explore, and the addition of BMX riding adds an extra layer of fun to the experience.

10. Session: Skate Sim

Featured in several Xbox showcases and developed by crea-ture Studios Inc., Session: Skate Sim lives up to its name by aiming for a hyper-realistic skateboarding simulation.

While this realism may present a challenge, it’s a feature that skateboarding enthusiasts will deeply appreciate. As you explore various maps and locations, you’ll repeatedly attempt to master difficult tricks, experiencing the exhilaration of finally achieving your skating goals.

9. Skater XL

Developed by the indie studio Easy Day Studios, Skater XL represents an ambitious project that appeals to fans of the Skate series and skateboarding enthusiasts in general. Focusing on realism and simulation rather than an arcade-style approach, Skater XL has been a labor of love with ongoing support from its dedicated fan base.

The developers continue to release updates, expanding the game’s content and improving its overall experience. While it may still have some rough edges, Skater XL shows promise as a significant project that keeps getting better over time.

8. Skate

The original Skate, despite lacking some features introduced in later games, remains a classic and a pinnacle of the skateboarding game genre. It strikes a perfect balance between realism and video game elements, making it a standout in the industry, not just among skateboarding fans.

Coming after the more arcade-oriented Tony Hawk games, Skate introduced a more grounded approach to skateboarding games, offering a refreshing experience. Additionally, Skate is playable on modern Xbox consoles, making it easily accessible to a new generation of players.

7. Skate 2

As previously mentioned, Skate is a prominent series in the skateboarding world, and Skate 2 from 2009 took the franchise to new heights. With its expansive map and immersive gameplay, Skate 2 challenges players to pull off incredible stunts.

One notable feature of Skate 2 is the ability to customise various spots within the game world to create unique tricks and stunts. Rearrange rails and dumpsters, align them strategically, and then execute impressive trick combinations to achieve the highest scores.

6. OlliOlli2: Welcome To Olliwood

Returning to the side-scrolling, arcade-style skateboarding games, the OlliOlli series excels in this genre. These games take a straightforward concept and expand upon it to deliver an incredibly enjoyable experience. With its fast-paced skating and captivating soundtrack, you’ll be hooked in no time.

OlliOlli2: Welcome To Olliwood builds upon the original with significant improvements, challenging you to achieve the highest scores possible. While Skate City offers a more laid-back experience, OlliOlli2 will push you to master each level and execute flawless runs, including conquering the demanding Pro levels.

5. Tony Hawk’s Underground

The Tony Hawk series stands as a titan in the world of skateboarding games, dominating consoles in the late ’90s and early ’00s with an unparalleled arcade experience. The series encompassed a wide range of gameplay styles, with some entries focusing on pure skateboarding action while others embraced a more whimsical approach.

Tony Hawk’s Underground, however, is a beloved entry that fully embraces its quirky side. It remains an outstanding choice for skateboarding enthusiasts, offering an engaging story, eccentric characters, and extensive customisation options to keep players entertained for hours.

4. Tony Hawk’s Underground 2

Building on the success of Tony Hawk’s Underground, the sequel continues to deliver the same enjoyable experience, and that’s a good thing. It retains the fun factor, and if you enjoyed the first game, you’ll find even more to love here.

While the original Underground might appeal to some for its stronger overall narrative, the sequel dives headfirst into weirdness for the sake of fun. Sometimes, a dose of eccentricity can be a welcome addition, and who doesn’t appreciate a bit of chaos alongside their skateboarding adventures?

3. OlliOlli World

In the third instalment of the series, OlliOlli World brings the fast-paced, skill-driven side-scrolling action into a three-dimensional realm, featuring intricate environments, vibrant visuals, and a wealth of distinctive style.

Whether you’re a fan of the previous two games or new to the series, OlliOlli World is likely to captivate you. With extensive options for character customisation and an exceptional soundtrack to accompany your journey through each track in the game, it’s unquestionably a title worth diving into.

2. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2

Turning our attention to more straightforward gaming experiences, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater emerged as a side series that initially captured the hearts of fans in 1999. These games hold a special place in the hearts of players worldwide, offering an engaging and exhilarating arcade experience that keeps you returning to execute even more impressive stunts.

The first two games have also received a recent remake, bundled as Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2. If you haven’t had the chance to play them previously, consider this re-release—a package containing two exceptional games brimming with content to keep you entertained for hours on end.

1. Skate 3

When you ask fans of skateboarding video games about their favourites, you’ll often receive one of two responses: Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater or Skate. Both games pursue distinct directions, with Pro Skater embracing an arcade aesthetic while Skate strikes a balance between realism and fun. Regardless of your preference, the quality of each is undeniable.

Skate 3 remains an enduring classic, initially released in 2010. For a long time, fans clamoured for a sequel, which only materialised about a decade later. With Skate 3 available through Xbox Backwards Compatibility, there’s every reason to revisit this exceptional game. Explore the diverse maps and experiment with customisation options, or dive into the Hall of Meat mode and test your limits, challenging yourself to break as many bones as you dare—your choice.