Metacritic Games

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 (Xbox)

Featuring enhanced graphics and an exclusive secret level and character, the Xbox version of THPS3 sports over 20 characters, customizable soundtracks, create-a-skater/park, new locations including Tokyo, Los Angeles and Canada, and the subtle-yet-essential revert that'll let you combo 'till the cows come home.

Activision
Sports, Action
Players: 4
T (Teen)
Developer: Neversoft Entertainment
Released March 5, 2002

Overall Metascore

This is a weighted, normalized average of all individual scores given by critics, on a scale of 0 (worst) to 100 (best).

93 / 100

Critic Reviews

100 GamePen
Even though the game is more than three months old it still manages to retain a special part on my shelf, the part that never gathers dust. As it stands right now, we have an early contender for my vote of Game of the Year.
100 Gaming Age
If you purposely waited those extra months in hope that Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 for the Xbox would be the definitive version, you made the right choice.
100 GamePro
It's the same brilliant game all over again with some new bits. Buy it and be happy.
99 Armchair Empire
The Hawk series soars to its highest echelon in its Xbox incarnation by besting the other earlier releases on the PS2 and GameCube, especially in the graphics department and giving meaning to the old saying "saving the best for last."
98 Game Informer
By playing career mode, players can unlock a new level, which is amazing in multiplayer, and one of the most diverse environments in the game. [Apr 2002, p.83]
96 GameZone
While the lack of an online mode does detract from the playability of the game, the new level and secret skater, which is not found in any other version, definitely help make amends.
96 GameSpot
Any Xbox owner who doesn't already own another version of the game would be crazy to not pick this one up.
95 Electric Playground
Was there ever any doubt that this game would rock?
95 Media and Games Online Network
In my opinion, the game looked better on the PS2, and compared to some of the other stuff the Xbox is pulling off, the game seems even less impressive. It’s still pretty good though.
95 IGN
If you've already got the game on another console, there are some extras for the Xbox that may merit a trade-in. The custom soundtrack ability alone is worth it to me.
95 GameSpy
The Xbox version beats the other two in all the right ways.
95 GamerWeb Xbox
Just go get the game. Don't think, just run out and buy this game as quickly as possible.
91 XenGamers
Although it doesn’t take advantage of the system’s capabilities, THPS3 on Xbox is still a fine port of a fantastic game.
90 Electronic Gaming Monthly
Great controls. Solid game design...Tony 3 has more personality, movies and creative stages than you know what to do with. [Apr 2002, p.146]
90 GameShark
In the Xbox's version, everything is silky smooth, while the PS2's is marred by jaggies...Aside from the annoying Xbox controller..., this is the version of the game to have for any true Tony Hawk fan.
90 Official Xbox Magazine
Simply more of the same, but better. That's hardly a complaint, though, since that's what we begged for all along. [Apr 2002, p.71]
90 Hot Games
What the hell is that ethernet modem for if you can't take the Hawk online? Because of that, this Hawk rates slightly lower than the PS2 version.
90 TotalGames.net
From the moment you kick Tony Hawk's 3 into action there’s this overwhelming feeling of perfection.
88 Team Xbox
The graphics, while not exploiting all of the Xbox's power, look sharp. And the depth and replayability of this game is nearly limitless.
83 Gamezilla!
A really fun little piece of skater action, and has a much more forgiving learning curve than a lot of Action/Adventure titles that have been coming out recently.
80 Yahoo! Games
The key problem lies in the positioning of the four buttons on the right side of the pad’s upper surface... They are too close together and too hard to distinguish by touch for the precise control THPS3 demands. In fact, it bordered on the unplayable.
80 Xbox Nation Magazine
The Xbox version is noticeably sharper than either the PS2 or GameCube iterations, and full-screen anti-aliasing makes the whole thing look smooth like butter. [Spring 2002, p.78]