Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3

They say the third time's a charm, but what if everything was done right the first and second time around? That's the hurdle Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 faces, as previous entries in this series are regarded by most gamers as perfect. Difficult as it is to believe, Pro Skater 3 introduces enough new features and great skate parks to make it another must-buy for PlayStation owners.

The biggest addition this time around is the revert, which when combined with the manual introduced in the previous game, lets players string together some amazing vert and grind combos. Once again, every ledge you see in the game is grindable, and the massive levels are packed with switches, hidden areas, and other secrets that will take months to fully explore (and exploit).

Things are a little on the chunky side graphically, but that's to be expected with the PlayStation. Regardless, the animation is smooth and the frame rate stays high despite the enormous and complex environments this game lets players explore. The eclectic soundtrack--which features acts ranging from the Ramones to Del the Funky Homosapien--is another highlight, but it's still the Zen-like feeling you get from chaining together combo after outrageous combo that keeps you coming back for more. --T. Byrl Baker

Pros:

Smooth animations
Revert adds vert combos to the game
Enormous skate areas

Cons:

No option to create female players

Tony Hawk brings you into his world yet again with all-new features that'll have you shredding even more cement. Skate all new global locations--Paris, Tokyo, L.A., and Canada. Test your skills in 10 massive real-world levels. Perform hundreds of the raddest tricks and combos in obstacle-filled locations with cars that honk at skaters or slam on their brakes as you board past them.

Again, you can ride using the signature moves of Tony Hawk or any of the 11 pro skaters included in this release (it also includes Bam Margera of MTV fame). Or you can use the enhanced create-a-skater editor to choose female or kid skaters and select a varying range of features, such as hair, glasses, and tattoos, to customize their look. A variety of modes let you stick lip tricks, combos, nollies, and manuals, as well as shred like there's no tomorrow.

All-new goals and rewards promise to challenge you even more than in earlier games. The upgraded career mode, for instance, gives players more character-specific goals. Special effects include sparks, blood, real-time weather, and natural disasters. And for the ultimate, expanded multiplayer modes and a skate park editor deliver increased replayability.

- Activision