Activision’s upcoming remasters for Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 and 2, developed by Vicarious Visions, are more than just graphically updated ports. They’re more like ground-up remakes but with the same skaters, parks, features and soundtrack intact. With how sleek they look, it’s easy to forget how underwhelming previous entries in the series have been.
Pro skater Tony Hawk understands the trepidation of hardcore fans. Hawk spoke to IGN recently and said that the remasters came about from speaking to Activision-Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick, who casually suggested remaking the games. Now that they’re finally happening, he says, “It was an answer to a call of the hardcore fans. When people think of the first games, they have a certain nostalgic view of it.
“They don’t really realise how truly low resolution it was. I truly believe that the hardcore fans of our original series are going to be satisfied and probably overwhelmed by how good this is.”
That’s easier said than done, especially when the last major entry in the franchise – Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5 – was a major dud. However, Hawk believes that these remasters will change the current perception around the series. “We might have had a few missteps doing games in the past, but I think this will really turn the tide. It does take you back to that time. It does take you back to that feeling. And I hope that people embrace it.”
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 and 2 will release in September for Xbox One, PS4 and PC. The game won’t have microtransactions at launch though this could change depending on the demand for paid content. Stay tuned for more details in the coming months.
Skateboarding icon Tony Hawk tells us why hardcore fans of the original Pro Skater are going to kickflip over the upcoming remake. #IGNSummerofGaming pic.twitter.com/4qatgKqZFx
— IGN (@IGN) June 16, 2020
