You Don’t Know These Tony Hawk-Like Games: Top 15 Skateboarding Titles

1-15

Ignacio Weil

Gaming - August 23rd 2025, 17:00 GMT+2

Sword of the Sea (2025)

Gliding across landscapes that blur the boundary between sand and surf, *Sword of the Sea* reimagines what a skateboarding title can be. Instead of concrete halfpipes or urban rails, you’re surfing on a mystical hoversword that rides dunes, waves, and ruins with the same grace as a pro skater. The developers behind *Journey* and *Abzû* bring their signature blend of serene visuals and soaring soundscapes, making every trick feel less about raw points and more about spiritual flow. But don’t be fooled by the meditative tone – there are score-chasing challenges, races, and tight tricks that still tickle the competitive Tony Hawk itch. It’s an experience designed to immerse you in rhythm, speed, and discovery, proving skateboarding can feel as transcendental as it does rebellious. | © Giant Squid

Stardust Skate (2025)

Some skateboarding games aim for gritty realism, while others toss logic out the window – and *Stardust Skate* happily jumps headfirst into neon-drenched absurdity. This cosmic skate-runner puts you in control of a deck blasting across Stardust Valley, where combos chain endlessly if you nail timing and reflex. The thrill comes not just from chasing high scores, but from customizing decks, mastering boost mechanics, and flowing through glowing landscapes that feel like retro arcades met modern minimalism. What makes it addictive is how deceptively simple it looks, while secretly hiding layers of replay depth. Whether you’re tricking for leaderboard bragging rights or zoning out to its trance-like flow, this one proves that skateboarding can thrive in space as much as in skateparks. | © VchiBan

Helskate (2025)

If you ever thought skateboarding was already extreme, *Helskate* politely asks, “what if you did it in hell while fighting demons?” Blending the free-flowing mechanics of skate sims with roguelike action, it has you carving rails and launching tricks while shredding monsters to pieces. Every run offers new powers, upgrades, and tattoos that make you deadlier and flashier the deeper you go. The punk-rock soundtrack and grungy art style fuel the chaos, giving off an energy that feels both rebellious and strangely cathartic. Unlike traditional skateboarding games where the biggest threat is missing a combo, here it’s being shredded by an abomination mid-grind. It’s over-the-top, inventive, and perfectly suited for players who want Tony Hawk with teeth and fire. | © Phantom Coast

Driftwood (2025)

Ever wondered how a chill skate session would feel if you were a laidback sloth? *Driftwood* answers that question with grace, dropping you into solo or online multiplayer downhill longboarding as Eddy – the most stoked sloth on a board. Crafted by the two-person indie team Stoked Sloth Interactive (who also serve as publisher), it’s not about grinding rails – it’s about carving perfect drifts down scenic hillsides. The minimalist world and upbeat tracks create a trance-like flow, while leaderboards and unlockable boards, wheels, and threads quietly nudge you back for “just one more run.” The dev’s focus is pure: no open world or story to distract, just sweet, high-speed zen wrapped in lo-fi charm. When sloth and skate culture collide, the result is unexpectedly mesmerizing. | © Stoked Sloth Interactive

Slackers Carts of Glory — Slackers – Carts of Glory (2024)

Not every ride needs four wheels bolted to a deck – sometimes it’s a shopping cart barreling downhill with no brakes. *Slackers – Carts of Glory* turns the absurd into addictive fun, letting players race unstable carts through chaotic tracks while collecting drinks to boost glory. The physics are gloriously unpredictable, making every corner a gamble between triumphant recovery and complete wipeout. Multiplayer ramps the chaos up even further, with friends colliding in a frenzy of speed, spills, and laughter. It’s less about precision and more about embracing disaster, which makes the victories even sweeter. By taking skateboarding’s momentum and remixing it into something reckless, it proves extreme sports games can still surprise us in the most ridiculous ways. | © Falling Saints

Bomb Rush Cyberfunk (2023)

Style meets rebellion in *Bomb Rush Cyberfunk*, where skateboarding, graffiti, and futuristic beats fuse into one neon-drenched package. Developed and published by Team Reptile, the game channels the spiritual energy of *Jet Set Radio* while adding its own bold identity. It’s not just about tricks – it’s about self-expression, marking your territory with graffiti while dodging the authorities in a city that feels alive and responsive. Every grind and wall-ride pushes your momentum forward, giving you the freedom to experiment with wild combos. The cel-shaded visuals and banging soundtrack wrap it all into a vibe-heavy experience that rewards flow as much as skill. Few modern titles balance skateboarding and art rebellion quite like this one. | © Team Reptile

Olli Olli World — OlliOlli World (2022)

If skateboarding could be a philosophy, *OlliOlli World* would be its animated guru. Developed by Roll7 and published by Private Division, the game takes the minimalist DNA of the series and evolves it into a technicolor playground of surreal skate paradises. You’re not just landing tricks – you’re exploring Radlandia, a dreamlike world filled with quirky characters who see skating as a spiritual calling. Tight mechanics ensure every flip, grind, and wall-ride feels razor sharp, while the expanded controls give you endless ways to string combos. Add in a slick art style and an upbeat soundtrack, and suddenly it’s less about realism and more about embracing the joy of skating itself. *OlliOlli World* is as much a vibe as it is a challenge. | © Roll7 / Private Division

Session Skate Sim — Session: Skate Sim (2022)

For anyone craving authenticity, *Session: Skate Sim* is the love letter to real skateboarding you didn’t know you needed. Developed by Crea-ture Studios and published by Nacon, it captures the grit of urban skating with a physics system that demands precision and patience. Unlike arcade-style titles, every trick requires deliberate input – meaning your first successful kickflip feels like a personal victory. The open-world cityscapes, inspired by iconic skate spots, give you plenty of concrete to master, while the game’s replay editor lets you capture clips like a true skate videographer. It’s harder, slower, and more punishing than Tony Hawk, but also infinitely more rewarding for purists. This one’s for the skaters who love the grind – literally and metaphorically. | © Crea-ture Studios / Nacon

Skate BIRD — Skatebird (2021)

What if skateboarding wasn’t just for humans? *Skatebird* takes that thought and runs with it – tiny birds shredding miniature skateparks built from everyday objects. Developed and published by Glass Bottom Games, it’s an indie gem that replaces hardcore realism with pure whimsy. Watching a sparrow nail a tailgrab over a stapler ramp is oddly charming, and the game knows not to take itself too seriously. Still, it offers tight mechanics, fun customization, and plenty of quirky missions to keep you hooked. It’s a love letter to skateboarding’s playful side, where creativity is just as important as skill. In a sea of gritty sims, *Skatebird* reminds us that skateboarding can be silly, weird, and endlessly fun. | © Glass Bottom Games

The Ramp (2021)

Sometimes less really is more, and *The Ramp* proves it by stripping skateboarding down to its purest essence. Developed by Paul Schnepf and published by Hyperparadise, this minimalist title isn’t about missions, unlocks, or high scores – it’s about flow. You drop in, pump transitions, and carve satisfying lines in a half-pipe or pool, losing yourself in the meditative rhythm. Its simplicity is the point: no distractions, just the sensation of skating captured in its rawest digital form. While it might not hold you for hundreds of hours, it nails something few games manage – the zen of skating without goals. With its focused design, *The Ramp* is both soothing and endlessly replayable for players who love pure movement. | © Paul Schnepf / Hyperparadise

Skater XL (2020)

A true sandbox for skate enthusiasts, *Skater XL* puts you in control of every flick and grind with unprecedented precision. Developed and published by Easy Day Studios, the game builds on the legacy of *Skate* while pushing its physics-driven gameplay to new extremes. It doesn’t overwhelm you with storylines or objectives – this is pure skating, open-ended and customizable. Community-made mods and maps have become the game’s lifeblood, making it an ever-evolving platform for creativity. While its learning curve can be steep, the payoff is immense: every trick feels like yours, not just a canned animation. With endless possibilities and growing fan support, *Skater XL* remains a digital playground for skaters who crave authenticity. | © Easy Day Studios

Skate City (2020)

Slick, stylish, and portable – *Skate City* is skateboarding distilled into a smooth urban rhythm game. Developed by Agens and Snowman, it began as an Apple Arcade exclusive before landing on consoles and PC, offering bite-sized skateboarding sessions on the go. Its art style leans minimalist, but the vibe is strong: lo-fi beats, chilled cityscapes, and responsive controls that let you pull off stylish tricks with ease. It doesn’t try to be a hardcore sim, but rather a skateboarding experience that fits in your pocket. Whether you’re chasing high scores or just cruising through endless runs, *Skate City* nails the balance between accessibility and flow. For casual players and skate fans alike, it’s the perfect way to skate anywhere. | © Agens / Snowman

Tanuki Sunset (2020)

Longboarding raccoons might not sound like the next big thing, but *Tanuki Sunset* makes it work beautifully. Developed by Rewind Games and published by Rewind Games and Popagenda, it combines arcade skating with downhill drifting in neon-soaked environments. Instead of chaining tricks, you’re carving smooth lines down treacherous roads, dodging traffic, and collecting bits to boost your score. Its retro synthwave soundtrack and vaporwave visuals create a hypnotic atmosphere, turning every ride into a high-speed daydream. Quirky challenges and playful design keep it fresh, while its accessibility ensures anyone can hop on and enjoy. *Tanuki Sunset* feels like skating and drifting collided in the best possible way, making it a unique entry in the genre. | © Rewind Games / Popagenda

Olli Olli2 Welcome to Olliwood — OlliOlli2: Welcome To Olliwood (2015)

Bigger, faster, and flashier than its predecessor, *OlliOlli2: Welcome To Olliwood* refined the series into a side-scrolling skateboarding masterpiece. Developed by Roll7 and published by Devolver Digital, the game cranks up the pace with new combo systems, manual tricks, and cinematic levels inspired by movie sets. It’s brutally challenging but immensely rewarding, demanding razor-sharp timing and rhythm. The presentation, paired with its fast-paced gameplay, made it a cult hit among fans who craved intensity. Few games pack so much adrenaline into 2D skateboarding, and its high skill ceiling ensures long-lasting replay value. It’s the game where the franchise truly hit its stride, proving small packages can hold massive thrills. | © Roll7 / Devolver Digital

Jet Set Radio 2000 1 — Jet Set Radio (2000)

Long before “stylish skating” became a subgenre, this Dreamcast classic turned city streets into a rebellious playground. You roll with graffiti crews, link grinds and wall-rides, and tag spots while dodging an increasingly unhinged police response. The cel-shaded look wasn’t just eye candy; it defined an era and still feels fresh today. Its soundtrack is legendary, blasting genre-hopping tracks that make every run feel like a music video in motion. While it’s technically inline skating rather than boards, the trick-combo flow and counterculture spirit put it firmly in the same family as the best skate games. Momentum is king here, rewarding rhythm as much as precision. Its influence echoes loudly in modern homages, proving style can be gameplay. | © Sega

1-15

When it comes to skateboarding video games, the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series usually steals the spotlight – and rightfully so. But what if we told you there’s an entire world of underrated, overlooked, and flat-out awesome skateboarding titles waiting for you to discover them? From quirky indie projects to visually stunning modern takes, these games prove that the spirit of skateboarding – freedom, style, and pure creativity – goes far beyond just one franchise.

This list of the top 15 skateboarding games highlights experiences you probably haven’t tried yet, but definitely should. Whether you’re into realistic physics, arcade-style trick combos, or surreal skating adventures where you ride through neon sunsets and futuristic cityscapes, there’s something here to scratch that kickflip itch. Think of it as your ultimate guide to skateboarding titles that deserve a place on your playlist!