Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3

Happy Puppy

The courses themselves are also graphical masterpieces. The size of the skating environments in THPS3 dwarfs the levels that were found in THPS2 and each level comes to life with rich detail.

GamePen

Take the same awesome game play from the first two incarnations, pump up the frame rate to a blistering 60 frames per second, add larger more addictive levels that are full of life and imagination, and enhance the graphics.

GamePro

This is THPS at its best. More fun? Can’t have it.

Games Radar UK (Pre-2006)

The introduction of the revert is a handy addition to you stunt arsenal, but it doesn't have the same game-changing effect that the manual had in number two. Which is good, as it adds an extra touch but doesn't meddle with a beautifully balanced control system.

G4 TV

A rare and beautiful thing, a nearly perfect game.

Game Revolution

When it's all said and done, when your eyes have completely dried up after spending 7 straight hours obsessing over massive rail grinds, THPS 3 comes through on its promise to do next-gen justice to the series. There simply is no better skating game available, and for that matter, very few other games that compete, period.

Official U.S. Playstation Magazine

The replayability is off the charts. [Dec 2001, p.168]

Hot Games

This game will not be completed in a weekend – this is one of those rare games that will take a lifetime to play. Not a biggie – you won’t soon be bored with it.

PSX Nation

Freaking amazing!

Gaming Age

You can combo off of everything in this game. Seriously I mean everything! Cars, people, sidewalks, buildings, rails, ramps, stop signs... The list goes on and on. The funny thing about all this is Neversoft's Highest Score screen shows a high score of 9.4 million. Yes, my jaw dropped too.

GameSpot

Strikes a perfect balance between new and old and renders the two previous entries in the series almost completely obsolete in the process.

Next Generation Magazine

Neversoft’s conspicuously elite design ability has created some of the most challenging, yet most rewarding levels ever conceived in a skateboarding game. [Dec 2001, p.94]

Adrenaline Vault

Not only are the graphics significantly improved, they whisk by at a steady pace and feature larger levels with even more interactive environments.

Game Informer

The most rewarding, playable, and addictive game on the Playstation 2. Just wait until you see who the hidden characters are! Skateboarding stalwarts rejoice! [Dec 2001, p.86]

Armchair Empire

I simply know that as a total package there is no game on the planet that can captivate me more than THPS3 and for many hours on end no less.

Sports Gaming Network

Fast, smooth, detailed, and colorful...THPS3 simply makes the previous games of the series look like battered stepchildren.

Voodoo Extreme

One of the best console games I have played this year. It is that good. The online gameplay is fast with no lag or hiccups.

IGN

Should go down in history as one of the best twitch-fests on PS2. Yes, TH3 is that good. The perfect skating game remains just a tiny hair's breadth out of reach, but if you are not satisfied with your purchase of this game, head examinations are recommended.

Game Chronicles

The visuals are dazzling. Normally, you'd probably be frustrated after losing the 58,976 points you just racked up because you landed sideways. But in THPS3, you'll find yourself screaming, "Sweet!!" after marveling at how cool the pane of glass looked as you shattered it with your airborne body because you didn't land that kick flip.

GameZone

Doesn't only look better; it also offers more realistic and fluid game play, along with a currently unequaled multiplayer mode that will keep gamers coming back for more.

TotalPlayStation

It's blatantly obvious that the guys at Neversoft know exactly what they're doing.

GamerWeb Sony

At least as good as advertised, if not slightly better.

Cloudchaser

Once you get used to it, however, tricks will come second nature, and you'll enjoy the view of the humongous levels, which explode in dazzling colors and glorified details.

GameShark

Third grind is the charm.

TotalGames.net

Like so many classics, the fun in Tony Hawk's 3 comes from being given a liberating amount of freedom.

Electronic Gaming Monthly

Neversoft must have made a deal with the devil, because this series refuses to cool down. [Dec 2001, p.246]

Electric Playground

Tony Hawk himself really likes the game and loves getting online with his PS2. You could end up playing against the "man" himself if you're the lucky type.

Operation Sports

If you loved Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1 or 2 on any other system, and you are a PS2 owner, this is a must have.

XenGamers

Everything to love from the first two Tony Hawk games is back, along with more outrageous levels and more outrageous combos thanks to the revert trick.

Total Video Games

It’s simple if you loved the first two titles you need this one, newcomers may be put off as the game is beginning to get more complex.

Yahoo! Games

What's so great about the game, apart from it looking and sounding so good on PS2, is the course design that you get to sample.

GameSpy

There's only one major new technique, which might be disappointing to some fans of the series.

Gamezilla!

Isn’t as well implemented as I’d have liked. Enjoyable, for certain, but lacking that unidentifiable combination of speed and ease of movement that makes games like this great, I can’t say that Tony Hawk was a truly excellent title.

All Game Guide

While fans of the last installment may at first be disappointed in the apparent lack of notable new features and improvements, there are plenty of additions to be enjoyed after mastering the new options and levels.