“Welcome to my world.”
—Game slogan
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 (commonly abbreviated as THPS3) is a skateboarding video game, originally developed by Neversoft and published by Activision (SUCCESS Corporation in Japan). It is the third video game in the Tony Hawk series.
It was originally released for the PlayStation and PlayStation 2 on October 30, 2001, with further releases on the GameCube on November 18, 2001, Xbox on March 4, 2002, Windows on March 28, 2002 and the Nintendo 64 on August 20, 2002. Versions for the Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance were also released on November 16, 2001 and March 15, 2002 respectively.
This is the first game in the series to be developed for both fifth and sixth-generation consoles and thus have a fair share of differences, compared to the first two Dreamcast entries being ports. It was also the final game to be released on the Nintendo 64 (with the console having been discontinued 3 months prior to the game's release and the only game to be commercially released for the console in 2002), the first game released on the PlayStation 2 to support online play, and the game was even a launch title for the GameCube in the North America and European (PAL) regions.
A remake of this game and its sequel were included in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 and was released in July 2025.
Game features[]
Multiplayer[]
The Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 multiplayer lobby on PC.
The game stood out in the franchise for being the first title to have online capabilities. Users could connect directly to other players online on the PlayStation 2 version—even prior to the launch of the network adapter, with a USB Ethernet adapter, or on PC, where one could use the GameSpy lobby to play online, or simply play LAN on a local area network. The original Xbox version lacked online support completely, but players found a workaround in the form of System-Link bridging.
Revert[]
THPS3 saw the introduction of the Revert - one of the most influential moves in the series, a trick that enabled vert combos to be tied together with a manual by tapping a button when landing in a quarterpipe. This allowed for much longer combos than in the previous two games, where landing in a quarterpipe would finish a combo.
Hidden Combos[]
Hidden Combos are variations of standard tricks that can be performed as flip, manual or grind tricks. For example, double-tapping the flip button would, naturally, make the skater perform a double flip. However, the number of extra tricks are limited and take more air time, making it impossible to land them in flatland. This system would later be refined in THPS4, where these variations known as double-tap tricks and manual/lip/grind extensions. An ability that was cut out in following games were flip-grab blending tricks. (i.e. a Kickflip could be easily transformed into a Kickflip to Indy or Kickflip to Crail).
Lip/Rail Balance Bar[]
THPS3 introduced a balance bar for lip tricks. Balance meters for grinds were introduced in the GBA and Xbox versions in THPS3, but the lip balance meter was still non-existent. Also, the skater could ollie from the lip trick, giving the ability to ollie, and then perform a flip trick to revert to keep their combo going nicely.
Big Drop removal[]
THPS3 does not feature the Big Drop mechanic, which was introduced in THPS2. The Big Drop remained in the PS1 and N64 versions, due to those versions still using the Apocalypse engine. The PS1 big drop icon was changed in THPS3, whereas the N64 version recycles the THPS2 design. Later games in the series would eventually remove the Big Drop mechanic altogether until it's return in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD.
Pedestrians[]
THPS3 would be the first game in series to introduce pedestrians located throughout the levels.
Custom female skaters[]
THPS3 was the first game in the series where the player could create custom female skaters, as opposed to being limited to male skaters in THPS2. This feature would later carry over to Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2X.
Control Zone[]
Control Zone is a multiplayer game type, exclusive to THPS3. Despite being a rather popular online mode, it never saw its return in subsequent games.
Available Characters[]
- Tony Hawk
- Bam Margera
- Kareem Campbell
- Rune Glifberg
- Bucky Lasek
- Chad Muska
- Andrew Reynolds
- Geoff Rowley
- Eric Koston
- Elissa Steamer
- Jamie Thomas
- Steve Caballero
- Rodney Mullen
- Junnosuke Y (Japan Only)
- Shin Okada (Japan Only)
- Hiroki Saegusa (Japan Only)
- Sukehachi (Japan Only, GCN Only)
- Darth Maul (unlockable)
- Wolverine (unlockable)
- Officer Dick (unlockable)
- Private Carrera (unlockable)
- Ollie the Magic Bum (unlockable)
- Kelly Slater (unlockable)
- Demoness (unlockable)
- Neversoft Eyeball (unlockable)
- Doom Guy (unlockable) (PC only)
- X-Ray (unlockable) (Xbox only)
- Shaun Palmer (unlockable) (GBA only)
- Mindy (unlockable) (GBA only)
Game Levels[]
Main
- Foundry, based in Woodland Hills, California
- Canada, based in Canada Olympic Park, Calgary (not included in the GBA version)
- Rio, based in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
- Suburbia, based in Munich, Germany (other sources claim Jackson, Mississippi)
- Airport, based in Honolulu, Hawaii (other sources claim Osaka, Japan)
- Skater Island, based in Middletown, Rhode Island (not included in the GBA version)
- Los Angeles, California
- Tokyo, Japan
Gth Gen only (Xbox, PlayStation 2, Gamecube, PC)
- Cruise Ship, based in the Caribbean Sea
- Warehouse, based in Woodland Hills, California
- Burnside, based in Portland, Oregon
- Roswell, based in Roswell, New Mexico
Xbox only
- Oil Rig, The Pacific Ocean (other sources claim it's located off the coast of Santa Monica Califronia which would also put in the Pacific Ocean)
5th Gen only (PS1, N64)
- Downhill, based in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
GBA only
- The Zone, Unknown
GBC only, cancelled for other platforms
- Paris, France
GBC only
Platform differences[]
Due to Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 being released the fifth and sixth different console generations, there are significant differences to be found, but also for various platforms too.
- The Nintendo 64/PlayStation versions are based on the game engine used in Pro Skater 2, also applying to the PlayStation version of the game's sequel.
- The grunts from Pro Skater 2 were recycled for the last-generation versions. Erroneously, the female skaters recycle the grunt sounds from male skaters. That mistake was carried onto the next-generation versions.
- Strangely, the female skaters in the PS2/Xbox/PC version used male grunt sounds. The PS1 grunts are also used in all GBA ports for all existing Tony Hawk games (THPS4, THUG, and THUG 2).
- Because of some unknown difference in the engine (although a likely idea was to compensate for slower processing speeds), the PlayStation version of the game would run sounds about 10% faster and a half-note higher in pitch. This is most notable when collecting the letters in S-K-A-T-E and when completing a goal.
- Some of the Pro Skaters wear different outfits between the next-gen and the last-gen ports. For example: Bucky Lasek wears a black-and-white backpack in the PlayStation port, whereas in the PS2/Xbox/PC versions he doesn’t. Chad Muska’s is entirely different. In the next-gen version, he wears all blue and purple. In the last-gen, he wears a grey tank top, and black pants.
- Double tap tricks, also known as hidden combos, are featured in next-gen versions only.
- Only the PlayStation 2 and Windows/Mac versions of the game feature online multiplayer.
- PC port lacks some next-gen features (instant replay for example).
- The Music Credits video was cut from PC version of the game.
- While the PlayStation and Nintendo 64 versions of the levels retain the general shape of their next-gen versions, there are a lot of differences featured (like the elevator in Los Angeles or the extra area in Skater Island).
- Japanese PS2 version of the games features extra 3 Japanese skaters; Junnosuke Y, Shin Okada, and Hiroki Saegusa.
- Some of the content in the PC version differs from the final PlayStation 2 version content. This includes Bam Margera's shirt (being white compared to black) and the level skies. This is most notable in Roswell, where it's a black starry sky on the PC, and being set during twilight on the PS2.
- Some sound effects are more noticeable in the PlayStation 2 version, such as the smack sound effects used in "The Jackass" and "The H Teeth Sweeper".
- In the PlayStation 2/Xbox version, if playing as a skater that is seen in competition level cutscenes, (for example, Bam Margera or Chad Muska) they wont be "cloned" if you win a medal.[1]
- The PlayStation 2 version features a playable demo of the game Shaun Palmer's Pro Snowboarder in the options menu.
- The PlayStation 2 version has a lost fourth skater named Sukehachi which not much is known about only unlocked through a PS2 save on a Dangeki Save Data Game Disc from 2006.
Soundtrack[]
- Main article: Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3/Soundtrack
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 features a total of 20 songs in the soundtrack. Starting with this game, the player can toggle between the songs in the soundtrack.
Reception[]
The game has sold 2.4 million copies worldwide. The game was very well received by the gaming press, the PS2 version earned a rare perfect 10 score from Gamespot, the fourth game of sixteen to ever receive said score. It was also awarded the best sports game award at the 2001 E3. IGN rated the game 9.7/10, and ranked it #21 in the Top 25 PS2 Games of All Time. The game is currently the top rated PS2 game on the review aggregate website Metacritic, with an average score of 97/100, tying with Grand Theft Auto III.
Trivia[]
- Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 was the final title to be released for the Nintendo 64.
- Some European and Australian copies of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 have a Parental Advisory: Explicit Lyrics logo on the boxart.
- Bob Burnquist is absent in this game, due to his appearance in another skateboarding video game, ESPN X Games Skateboarding, during that time of year, although he would return in it's sequel.
- The appearance of Kelly Slater is a promotion for Kelly Slater's Pro Surfer game, published by Activision O2 at the time.
- The game was unusual for having advertising in the form of billboards; while the previous games in the series featured advertising, non-skating brands can be seen for the first time (since the level Downhill Jam in THPS1). Such brands include Taco Bell, Nokia and Jeep.
- This game marks the debut of Bam Margera.
- This is the first game in the series to feature blood decals when bailing. They remain visible for a short amount of time.
- Wolverine is the second Marvel character to appear in a Tony Hawk game the first being Spider-Man in Tony Hawk Pro Skater 2.
- This is the first game in the series to feature levels from previous Tony Hawk games as Warehouse, Burnside and Roswell appear as bonus levels.
- This is the only game in the series to not feature Bob Burnquist despite his hometown Rio appearing as a competition and bonus level.
- First appearance of Globe shoes and Baker skateboards in the series.
- Certain brands, including Vans and Flip, were in early development builds of the game but were removed before release. The Vans removal was due to Sony having an exclusive partnership with the footwear company, which forced Neversoft to remove all branding and blur all assets related to it (including any appearance in videos).
External links[]
Gallery[]
Images[]
Videos[]
| Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Main article • Gallery • Soundtrack • Credits • Glitches • Beta elements | |||
| Skaters | Starters | Tony Hawk • Bam Margera • Kareem Campbell • Rune Glifberg • Bucky Lasek • Chad Muska • Andrew Reynolds • Geoff Rowley • Eric Koston • Elissa Steamer • Jamie Thomas • Steve Caballero • Rodney Mullen • Junnosuke Y* • Shin Okada* • Sukehachi*³ | |
| Unlockable | Darth Maul • Wolverine • Officer Dick • Private Carrera • Ollie the Magic Bum • Kelly Slater • Demoness • Neversoft Eyeball • Doom Guy⁴ • X-Ray² • Shaun Palmer⁵ • Mindy⁵ | ||
| Levels | Career Mode | Foundry • Canada • Rio • Suburbia • Airport • Skater Island • Los Angeles • Tokyo • Cruise Ship¹ • Downhill* | |
| Bonus | Warehouse¹ • Burnside¹ • Roswell¹ • Oil Rig² • The Zone⁵ | ||
| Other | Create-A-Skater • Park Editor • Cheats • Decks • Gap List • Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 Strategy Guide • Videos | ||
| ¹Exclusive to PlayStation 2/GameCube/Xbox/Windows versions. ²Exclusive to the Xbox version. ³Exclusive to the GameCube version. ⁴Exclusive to the Windows version. ⁵Exclusive to the Gameboy Advance version. *Exclusive to PlayStation/Nintendo 64 versions. **Exclusive to the Japanese console versions. | |||
| Tony Hawk series | |
|---|---|
| Pro Skater series | Tony Hawk's Pro Skater • Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 • Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 • Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 • Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 5 |
| Story-based games | Tony Hawk's Underground • Tony Hawk's Underground 2 • Tony Hawk's American Wasteland • Tony Hawk's Project 8 • Tony Hawk's Proving Ground |
| Remasters and Remakes | Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2X • Tony Hawk's Underground 2 Remix • Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD • Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 • Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 |
| Spin-offs | Tony Hawk's American Sk8land • Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam • Tony Hawk's Motion • Tony Hawk: Ride • Tony Hawk's Shred Session • Tony Hawk's Skate Jam |
