This generation has seen many remakes and remasters of games that first came to prominence on the original PlayStation. The newest addition to this trend is Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2, which brings back all the levels from the first two games in the franchise while updating the gameplay with innovations from some of the later titles.
Given the complex gameplay and variety of levels, there are many things players may have missed while tearing up lines. The ten entries below are split between gameplay details and details in the levels. A few of these may even help some players pull off bigger combos.
10 Wallieplant
Wallrides have been in the series since its inception and are intuitive to pull off. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4 introduced the Wallieplant, which is not as obvious. When in a Wallride, press up twice and the ollie button to push off the wall for some extra air. This is an essential move for reaching hard to access areas and keeping the momentum going.
9 Alien Plushies
It would not be a Tony Hawk game without hidden collectibles. In each level is an alien plushie, tiny and difficult to see. When all of them are acquired, the player unlocks an alien as a hidden skater. Finding them without a guide is difficult, especially because they are tiny and often resting in high places, completely out of the player’s line of sight.
8 Missing Bam Margera In The Hangar
The Hangar level pays tribute to the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater games of the past with giant banners representing the mainline Neversoft games.
Curiously enough, the box art for Tony Hawk’s Underground 2 is missing Bam Margera, who was an integral part of the game’s narrative. His exclusion from the roster is understandable since he was not a playable skater until the third entry, but his removal from the box art is a complete mystery.
7 Hidden Graffiti
Apropos of skateboarding culture, each level is covered in graffiti tags. While some may disapprove of tagging property, labeling it as vandalism, many city dwellers recognize the artistic value of this act, assuming it is done in good taste. Each level has hidden graffiti congratulating the player on finding it. It is the easiest to find in the Hangar. Just turn around and knock over the boxes to find it underneath. There is no reward for finding them, save for the satisfaction and chuckle.
6 Double Grinding
Many players may not realize how certain habits negatively affect grinding balance. The biggest one of these is double grinding, which is when players grind on the same rail twice in a row. To avoid the penalty to balance, always grind on a different object before returning to one which you previously tricked on. By avoiding double grinding, one’s balance will stay manageable for much longer, making for significantly bigger combos.
5 The Hidden V’s
These are fairly visible in most levels, but actually reaching them is the tricky part. Every level contains a ‘V’ players can collect. Many are high up, requiring full stats and a solid understanding of the jump mechanics. Once all are found, the player unlocks a logo and skateboard deck. This may not be a compelling incentive for everyone, but some people just want to find secrets, regardless of the reward.
4 The Mall
The levels are geometrically identical to the original designs from the PlayStation games. However, fans will notice aesthetic differences. The Mall’s changes, in particular, serve as a reminder of all the time that has passed between the debut entry and this remake.
The original Mall looks like a regular, functioning shopping center. In the new version, the Mall looks like it has been closed and boarded up for twenty years, more reflective of the state of American malls in the year 2020.
3 The Advantage Of Spinning
Spinning is more than just looking flashy. When tricking and spinning, the base score of that particular move is multiplied depending on the number of spins. The multiplier goes up by half for every 180-degree rotation added. This is also applicable to special tricks. With enough air, one can add a rotation to the FS 540 or The 900 for some impressively big base scores. Some spins are hard to land, but doing them into a grind guarantees a successful execution.
2 Officer Dick
Officer Dick has been a hidden character since the original Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater. He comes packed with a little something special in the remake, however, since he is played by none other than Jack Black. To unlock this skater and all his special moves, one has to complete all the challenges for the created skater. After doing this, the player also unlocks the bail video, which shows how failure is all a part of improving.
1 Manual Balance Penalty
Manuals are essential to connecting combos and going from ramps to rails. Veteran fans know how to get the most out of their manual and how not to lose it too fast. Manualing more than twice in a row without grinding or going up a ramp will result in a penalty to balance. Pros always make sure to do one of the aforementioned tricks before managing again.
