Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 (N64)

Game Overview

Released long after the launch of next-generation consoles, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 pushed the aging Nintendo 64 hardware to its absolute limits to bring the series' third iteration to Nintendo fans. The gameplay centers around completing time-limited objective runs within densely packed, interactive levels ranging from Foundry and Canada to Airport and Los Angeles.

The introduction of the revert completely transformed high-level score tactics, shifting the flow of gameplay into a continuous dance of high-speed vertical transitions and manual balancing. Players can select from a roster of legendary professional skateboarders—including Tony Hawk, Bam Margera, Rodney Mullen, and Steve Caballero—or create their own skater using the detailed custom character creator. Packed with hidden secrets, challenging career goals, and split-screen multiplayer modes, it stands out as an impressive technical achievement for the N64.

Quick Specifications

• Platform: Nintendo 64

• Developer: Edge of Reality

• Publisher: Activision

• Release Date: August 20, 2002 (North America)

• Genre: Sports / Arcade Skateboarding

• Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer (2-player split-screen)

• Peripheral Support: Nintendo 64 Controller Pak, Rumble Pak, Expansion Pak (optimized)

Key Features

• The Revolutionary Revert Mechanic: Land smoothly from vertical ramps and transition instantly into a manual to keep massive combo multipliers alive.

• Legendary Skater Roster: Play as top professional skateboarders, each featuring authentic trick animations, unique signature moves, and stat attributes.

• Interactive Career Levels: Explore diverse, goal-oriented stages packed with hidden gaps, collectible items, and environmental hazards.

• Custom Skater & Park Editor: Design a custom skater from scratch and tweak level elements using the built-in park editing features.

• Split-Screen Multiplayer: Compete head-to-head with a friend in classic multiplayer modes like Trick Attack, Graffiti, and Horse.

Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)

Is Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 really the last N64 game released in North America?

Yes, THPS3 holds the historical distinction of being the final officially licensed retail game published for the Nintendo 64 in North America.

What gameplay mechanic was newly introduced in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3?

The revert was introduced in this version, allowing players to press a shoulder button upon landing a halfpipe trick to pivot 180 degrees and transition smoothly into a manual.

Does the game support multiplayer on the N64?

Yes, it features a two-player split-screen multiplayer mode with competitive game types like Trick Attack, Graffiti, and Tag.

Does the game require any special N64 accessories?

A Nintendo 64 Controller Pak is required to save career progress, custom skaters, and high scores, while the Rumble Pak is fully supported for tactile feedback.