Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2: Nintendo Switch Review

Hey guys! Ready to dive into the thrilling world of skateboarding on the go? Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 has finally landed on the Nintendo Switch, and we’re here to give you the lowdown on whether this portable version lives up to the hype. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a newbie just learning to ollie, this review will cover everything you need to know about grinding, flipping, and kickflipping your way through this iconic game on the Nintendo Switch.

What is Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2?

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 is a remastered bundle of the first two games in the legendary Tony Hawk's Pro Skater series. Originally released on other platforms to critical acclaim, this collection brings back the classic levels, skaters, and soundtrack that defined a generation of skateboarding games. The game combines the nostalgia of the original titles with modern graphics, enhanced gameplay mechanics, and online multiplayer features. For those who grew up playing these games, it's a trip down memory lane. For newcomers, it's an excellent introduction to one of the most influential skateboarding franchises ever created. The gameplay is centered around performing various tricks, completing objectives, and achieving high scores in iconic skateparks. The controls are intuitive, allowing players to quickly learn and execute complex combos. The sense of speed and fluidity makes the game incredibly addictive, whether you're grinding rails, catching air, or discovering hidden areas. The soundtrack, featuring a mix of punk, rock, and hip-hop, perfectly complements the action and adds to the overall nostalgic experience. The remastered graphics bring the skateparks to life with vibrant colors and detailed environments. Each level is faithfully recreated, capturing the essence of the original designs while adding modern visual enhancements. The character models are also updated, with realistic animations and detailed textures. The game includes a robust character creation tool, allowing players to customize their own skater and express their unique style. You can choose from a variety of clothing, hairstyles, and accessories to create a skater that reflects your personality. The game also features a skatepark editor, where you can design and share your own custom skateparks with the community. This adds endless replayability, as you can explore new parks created by other players and challenge yourself with unique obstacles and layouts. The online multiplayer mode allows you to compete against other players in various game modes, such as trick attack, score challenge, and graffiti. This adds a competitive element to the game, as you can test your skills against the best skaters in the world. The game also includes a local multiplayer mode, allowing you to play with friends and family on the same console. This is a great way to enjoy the game together and compete for the highest score.

First Impressions on the Switch

When Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 was announced for the Nintendo Switch, there was both excitement and trepidation. Could the Switch handle the fast-paced gameplay and detailed graphics of the original release? Right off the bat, the game looks surprisingly good on the Switch's handheld screen. While it's not quite as visually stunning as on more powerful consoles, the developers have done a commendable job of optimizing the graphics for the Switch's hardware. The frame rate is generally stable, which is crucial for a game that relies on precise timing and quick reflexes. However, there are occasional dips, especially in more crowded or complex areas. The controls feel responsive and familiar, although using the Joy-Cons can take some getting used to. The smaller size and button layout of the Joy-Cons may not be ideal for everyone, but after a bit of practice, it's certainly manageable. Playing in handheld mode is a treat, allowing you to take the game with you on the go. Whether you're commuting, traveling, or just relaxing at home, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 is a great way to pass the time. The ability to pause and resume the game at any time is perfect for short bursts of gameplay. Docked mode offers a more traditional console experience, with the game looking sharper and more detailed on a larger screen. However, the performance issues can be more noticeable in this mode, with occasional frame rate drops and graphical glitches. Overall, the initial impressions of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 on the Nintendo Switch are positive. The game is a faithful recreation of the original titles, with all the classic levels, skaters, and tricks. The controls are responsive, and the graphics are surprisingly good for the Switch's hardware. While there are some performance issues, they don't detract too much from the overall experience. If you're a fan of the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater series, or if you're looking for a fun and addictive skateboarding game to play on the go, then Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 on the Nintendo Switch is definitely worth checking out.

Graphics and Performance

Let’s talk about the visuals and how the game performs. On the graphics front, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 on the Switch is a mixed bag. In handheld mode, the game looks surprisingly crisp and clear. The environments are well-detailed, and the character models are nicely rendered. However, the resolution is noticeably lower than on other consoles, which can result in some blurry textures and jagged edges. When docked, the game looks sharper and more detailed, but the visual differences aren't as significant as you might expect. The developers have clearly made some compromises to get the game running smoothly on the Switch's hardware. As for performance, the game generally runs at a stable frame rate, but there are occasional dips, especially in more demanding areas. This can be distracting, particularly when you're trying to pull off precise tricks or combos. The frame rate issues are more noticeable in docked mode, where the game is pushing more pixels to the screen. Despite these performance issues, the game is still playable and enjoyable. The developers have done a good job of optimizing the game for the Switch, and the frame rate drops aren't frequent enough to ruin the experience. However, if you're particularly sensitive to frame rate issues, you may want to consider playing the game on a more powerful console. The game also includes a variety of graphical settings that you can adjust to improve performance. You can disable certain visual effects, such as motion blur and depth of field, to free up resources and boost the frame rate. You can also adjust the resolution and texture quality to find a balance between visual fidelity and performance. Overall, the graphics and performance of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 on the Nintendo Switch are decent, but not exceptional. The game looks good in handheld mode, but the resolution is lower than on other consoles. The performance is generally stable, but there are occasional frame rate drops, especially in more demanding areas. If you're willing to overlook these minor issues, you'll find that the game is still a lot of fun to play.

Gameplay and Controls

Now, let's dive into what really matters: the gameplay and controls. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 nails the classic feel of the original games. The controls are intuitive and responsive, making it easy to pull off a variety of tricks and combos. Whether you're grinding rails, performing aerial tricks, or manualing across the skatepark, the game feels fluid and natural. The control scheme is easy to learn, but difficult to master. You can quickly learn the basic tricks, but mastering the more advanced combos and maneuvers takes time and practice. The game includes a comprehensive tutorial mode that teaches you the fundamentals of skateboarding and introduces you to the various tricks and techniques. The tutorial mode is well-designed and easy to follow, making it a great resource for both new and experienced players. The game also features a variety of control options, allowing you to customize the controls to your liking. You can remap the buttons, adjust the sensitivity of the analog sticks, and even use motion controls to perform certain tricks. The game also supports the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, which offers a more comfortable and ergonomic grip. Playing with the Joy-Cons can be a bit challenging, especially for those with larger hands. The small size and button layout of the Joy-Cons can make it difficult to perform precise tricks and combos. However, with a bit of practice, you can get used to the Joy-Cons and still enjoy the game. The gameplay is addictive and rewarding. The game is packed with content, including a variety of single-player and multiplayer modes. You can compete in classic career mode, where you complete objectives and unlock new skaters and levels. You can also play in free skate mode, where you can explore the skateparks and practice your tricks without any pressure. The multiplayer mode allows you to compete against other players in various game modes, such as trick attack, score challenge, and graffiti. The game also includes a robust skatepark editor, where you can design and share your own custom skateparks with the community. This adds endless replayability, as you can explore new parks created by other players and challenge yourself with unique obstacles and layouts. Overall, the gameplay and controls of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 on the Nintendo Switch are excellent. The controls are intuitive and responsive, and the gameplay is addictive and rewarding. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a newbie just learning to ollie, you'll find that this game is a lot of fun to play.

Is it Worth it on the Switch?

So, is Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 worth buying on the Nintendo Switch? For portability alone, it gets a big thumbs up. Being able to play this classic on the go is a huge plus. The game is perfect for short bursts of gameplay, whether you're commuting, traveling, or just relaxing at home. The ability to pause and resume the game at any time is a great feature for busy gamers. However, the performance issues are a bit of a drawback. The occasional frame rate drops can be distracting, especially when you're trying to pull off precise tricks or combos. If you're particularly sensitive to frame rate issues, you may want to consider playing the game on a more powerful console. The graphics are also a bit of a compromise. The game looks good in handheld mode, but the resolution is lower than on other consoles. If you're looking for the best possible visual experience, you may want to play the game on a more powerful console. Despite these drawbacks, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 on the Nintendo Switch is still a lot of fun to play. The gameplay is addictive and rewarding, and the controls are intuitive and responsive. If you're a fan of the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater series, or if you're looking for a fun and addictive skateboarding game to play on the go, then this game is definitely worth checking out. The game also offers a lot of value for the price. It includes both Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2, as well as a variety of single-player and multiplayer modes. The game also includes a robust skatepark editor, where you can design and share your own custom skateparks with the community. Overall, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 on the Nintendo Switch is a great game that offers a lot of value for the price. The portability is a huge plus, and the gameplay is addictive and rewarding. While the performance and graphics are a bit of a compromise, they don't detract too much from the overall experience. If you're a fan of the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater series, or if you're looking for a fun and addictive skateboarding game to play on the go, then this game is definitely worth buying.

Final Verdict

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 on the Nintendo Switch is a solid port of a fantastic remaster. While it has some graphical and performance hiccups, the core gameplay shines through, making it a worthwhile addition to any Switch library, especially if you crave that nostalgic skateboarding fix. It's not perfect, but it's still a blast. So grab your Switch, lace up your virtual skate shoes, and get ready to shred! You won't regret it!