Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Where to Play

Screenwise Verdict

This is how you do a remaster. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 takes two legendary games from 1999-2000 and rebuilds them with modern graphics and tight controls while keeping everything that made them great. No battle passes, no loot boxes, no season passes—just skateboarding.

The gameplay loop is addictive in the best way: you're chasing high scores, finding secret tapes, and perfecting lines through iconic levels. It teaches actual skill progression and rewards practice. The soundtrack is legendary but does include explicit lyrics in some tracks, so preview the music settings if you're handing this to a younger kid.

For families, this is a rare modern game that respects your time and wallet. Kids can play solo or compete online in structured multiplayer (no open chat to worry about). It's challenging enough to be satisfying but not punishing. If your kid is into skateboarding or action sports, this is a no-brainer. If they're not, it might still hook them—the 2-minute timer format makes it perfect for "just one more run."

Age Fit

Best for ages 8 and up who can handle the timing and coordination required. The gameplay is accessible but has a learning curve. Teens and adults who played the originals will get a huge nostalgia hit, and the remaster is polished enough that it doesn't feel dated.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

82

A sports game centered on skateboarding skill and progression with no violence, gore, or inappropriate content. The soundtrack includes punk/rock music with some explicit lyrics that parents should preview, but the gameplay itself models practice, persistence, and achievement. Users interact online but there's no open chat system to worry about. The tone is energetic but not chaotic—you're completing objectives and perfecting tricks, not mindlessly button-mashing.

Imaginative

68

This is a remaster, not something new, so the imaginative score reflects that it's recreating classic content rather than breaking new ground. That said, the create-a-skater mode and the sandbox nature of the levels do invite experimentation—finding new lines, discovering secret areas, and chaining tricks in creative ways. The level design is iconic and encourages exploration, but it's ultimately a sports simulator with set objectives rather than an open creative canvas.

Safe

88

Very safe for a modern game: no in-game purchases, no loot boxes, no open chat. Users can interact online in multiplayer but it's structured competition, not social networking. The main safety consideration is the soundtrack—classic punk and hip-hop tracks that may include explicit language depending on which version/settings you use. Common Sense Media reviews note this, and parents mention it's something to be aware of. No violence, no gambling mechanics, no manipulative monetization.

Enriching

74

Teaches genuine skill progression, hand-eye coordination, and the satisfaction of mastering difficult tricks through practice. The game rewards persistence and precision. Kids learn about skateboarding culture, real pro skaters, and iconic skate spots. It's not educational in a traditional sense, but it does build spatial reasoning and timing skills. The entertainment value is high—the gameplay loop is addictive in a good way, and the soundtrack introduced a generation to punk and hip-hop. It's enriching as a well-crafted sports game that respects the player's time and skill development.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Teaches real skill mastery through practice and persistence—landing that 900 feels earned
No predatory monetization: no loot boxes, no battle passes, no nickel-and-diming
Iconic soundtrack introduces kids to punk, hip-hop, and ska (though some tracks have explicit lyrics)
Create-a-skater and level exploration encourage experimentation and finding your own style
Online multiplayer is competitive skating, not toxic chat—structured and skill-based

⚠

What to Watch For

Soundtrack has explicit language in some tracks—check music settings or preview before younger kids play
The game can be genuinely difficult; younger kids may get frustrated with timing-based tricks
Online multiplayer means interaction with other players, though there's no open chat system

Conversation Starters

"What's the hardest trick you've landed so far? How many tries did it take?"
"Which skate park is your favorite, and what line have you been working on?"
"Do you know any of these pro skaters in real life? Want to watch some actual skateboarding videos together?"
"What's your favorite song on the soundtrack? Should we check out more music from that band?"

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