Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3, the classic formula at its peak. Iconic open levels, perfect controls and a cult skate-rock soundtrack. For many the high point of the Pro Skater run, to savour pad in hand without restraint. Pure nostalgia.
Your verdict
Category
Sports1 player12+
Description
Skateboarders perform tricks on varied courses in this Neversoft GameCube Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3. Published by Activision, released in Europe in March 2002. Skateboard game with varied tricks on world levels, combo system and multiplayer mode.
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
MAX
Music
★★★★★
"Legendary"
1/5
Story
★★★★★
"Anecdotal"
Hard to match such a selection: from Motörhead's "Ace of Spades" to hip-hop and ska, every track cracks at full power. The music sticks to the rhythm of the combos, turning the slightest session into a jubilant outlet. This cult assortment left its mark on a whole generation of virtual skaters.
Gameplay
"Masterful"
The arrival of the revert finally links vert tricks to manuals, opening near-endless combos that transcend every spot. This mechanic tips the series into an exhilarating freedom of expression. The chiselled level design and perfect tempo beg you to start over forever. An absolute benchmark of arcade skating, its feel in the hands hasn't aged a day.
Fun
"From the very first seconds"
Chaining grinds, flips and manuals into a single endless combo: that's the genius of the series, here at its peak. The revert opens up infinite links and turns every session into a quest for the perfect score. Pinpoint handling, levels built for virtuosity and a cult soundtrack: a peak of arcade skating, immediate and inexhaustible.
Addictiveness
"Obsessive"
Holding a combo for a full two minutes by linking grinds, manuals and tricks builds a score hunt where the slightest bail sends you straight back to the start. The level goals, short and varied, endlessly revive the urge to clear the list before the clock. The concept shows its age a touch, but this perfectly calibrated flow of tricks remains a high point of instant playability.
Difficulty
"Balanced"
Lifespan
"Long"
Technical info
💾1,2 GB📅22/03/2002
Published by Activision
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 (GameCube) price, value & rarity
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 PAL is the European edition of Neversoft/Activision's game, considered the peak of the pre-Underground sub-series. Collector value comes from the original licensed soundtrack (Motorhead, Red Hot Chili Peppers, AFI) never being reproduced identically due to rights.
Is Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 still worth playing in 2026?
A direct sequel to the unmatched THPS 2, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 introduces the revert that extends combos further after vert ramps, opening new scoring dimensions. Levels like the airport or Tokyo became iconic, and the punk hip hop soundtrack stays memorable. For many, this is the definitive peak of the original formula before its narrative evolution. An absolutely indispensable recommendation for anyone who loves demanding yet accessible video game skating today still on the GameCube here in this catalogue truly.
