Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater is all about racking up the biggest combos possible, and this goal has not changed in the recently released remake, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2, from developer Vicarious Visions, renowned for their previous work on the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy.
Like the previous titles, the customizable Special Tricks are integral to quickly inflating one’s score, which can mean the difference between victory and defeat in the online multiplayer suite. The ten Special Tricks below are notable either for their utility in gameplay, or for their aesthetic value. After all, looking silly and ridiculous on a skateboard is almost as important as wowing competitors with a high score.
10 FS 540
This flip nets the player forty-five hundred points points when done alone. Additionally, it also takes only a little bit of time to perform, making it a a good maneuver during some big jumps or drops between rails. When done off a ramp, throw some spins into it to increase the move’s base score. If one is uncertain on landing spins properly out of Special Tricks like this, simply press the right trigger to change position and grind on the edge of the ramp and not have to worry about landing straight.
9 Weddle Backflip
A few tricks were renamed in the remake to properly pay tribute to the skater who developed them. Chris Weddle’s trick which was once called Mute Grab is now called the Weddle Grab. This was done because Chris is not in fact mute, but deaf. Additionally, the special trick, the Weddle Backflip, is also named after the skateboarder. It is extremely quick to pull off and a simple flip, making it easy to land.
8 Big Hitter 2
Grinding specials are important for significantly increasing the base score when no ramps are around or all the other special tricks have been exhausted.
Just be sure not to waste them on short rails, because they don’t do much if they are not held. Most special grinds are equal except for the animation, but Big Hitter 2 is a classic and one should never enter a skatepark without it.
7 Half-Flip Casper
In general, these flip trick specials can be ignored. However, with all ten special trick slots unlocked it is useful to have a couple of these in the arsenal for a quick thousand points added to the base score. They are quick enough to do in place of a Double or Triple Kickflip, and the score can be made even higher by making it a 360 or 540. When done into a rail, pulling off a 360 with these is a no-risk benefit, because landing on a rail even sideways will always go into a grind as long as the player presses the grind button.
6 Lazy A. Grind
Officer Dick is a hidden character first introduced in the premier Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater game. Cops and skaters have not always had the best relationship due to the nature of the sport, and the character is a cheeky nod toward this rivalry. His special tricks are all related to him. The Lazy A. Grind has the character sit down on the skateboard while riding the rail: an extremely silly look. When used to beat a competitor, it adds insult to injury.
5 Hardflip BS Nosepicker
Lip tricks are not the most popular way to gain points since they are sometimes difficult to balance and kill the momentum of a combo. However, they can be a solid way to add a quick several thousand points to the end of a combo, which can mean the difference between victory or defeat when playing against highly skilled players online. With a name like Nosepicker, one knows this is an appropriate trick for a skateboarding game.
4 Assume The Position
Another funny grab trick from Officer Dick’s selection is Assume the Position, which puts the skater into a pose as if they are being arrested.
The character has been a mainstay since the series’ inception, but this remake makes his appearance even more special. Instead of a generic cop design, he is designed after and voiced by Jack Black, whose love of skateboarding is no secret.
3 Kickflip Backflip
Another trick more helpful for its quick execution than base point value, the Kickflip Backflip is exactly as the name describes; the avatar flips sideways while performing a Kickflip. Do it onto a rail or a small ramp in the middle of a half-pipe. It definitely looks more flashy than what it is worth, because doing such a trick in real life would be miraculous.
2 360 Varial McTwist
Not only does the 360 Varial McTwist look awesome, but it nets a cool forty-five hundred points when executed. It has always been a popular special trick in the series, perhaps because of how impressive it looks while still maintaining a realistic feel. While the series was never known for being a grounded look at the sport, it is always preferred when the tricks have some semblance of reality.
1 The 900
This one is the king of all the special tricks and a necessary part of every skater’s arsenal in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater. Certain maps allow for some exceptional air, in which case one can get a 360 in before reverting, increasing the tricks base score from nine thousand to eighteen thousand. One surefire way to do this is the roof of the School, where players can spine transfer to a ramp below for significantly more airtime.
