Nothing is more satisfying than kicking off with your skateboard and clearing a gap or pulling off a trick you’ve been practicing for weeks. Skateboarding takes an immeasurable amount of skill, coordination, and patience. If you can do it, kudos to you. But when you aren’t skinning your knees from a failed grind, perhaps consider playing one of the 10 best skateboarding video games. Maybe it’ll give you a few ideas for your next trick?
10 Best Skateboarding Video Games
Skate City
Not every skateboarding game needs to involve collecting letters or racking up the highest score; Skate City is super-chill, just like the people who love skateboarding in real life.
It takes a small departure from typical skateboarding games by being a side-scroller. Skate City drops you right into a level, you enjoy the view, and perform a few tricks along the way. And if you want to turn up the heat, try out the in-game challenges.
10 Best Skateboarding Video Games
Skate 3
Skate, to some, is seen as a spiritual successor to Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, at least to some degree. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater definitely has a more arcade feel to it, whereas Skate leaned heavily into a more realistic skateboarding experience. It’s essentially the difference between dumb, goofy fun and a serious simulator. And since EA has already confirmed Skate 4 being in development, now is the time to revisit Skate 3 or the series as a whole.
10 Best Skateboarding Video Games
The Ramp
Just about every skateboarding video game on this list has some level of preparation and expectation. Only a few are perfect for dropping in for a few minutes. The Ramp is one of those games, a small, casual experience.
In terms of content, The Ramp doesn’t provide much. To be fair, it was developed by a single person. The joy you get out of The Ramp is what skateboarding is all about: nailing that tricky move you’ve been practicing for weeks.
10 Best Skateboarding Video Games
OlliOlli
Similar to Skate City, OlliOlli presents another venture into skateboarding that’s a little calmer and laid back but with a dash of arcade qualities. It’s just you, your board, and long stretches of urban environment to mark.
There’s more of an emphasis on scoring; otherwise, you won’t be reaching the next level. Part of the fun, other than scoring big, is how it challenges you to make the most of an area. If you fall in love with OlliOlli, check out the sequels, too.
10 Best Skateboarding Video Games
SkateBIRD
SkateBIRD is just a lovely combination of skateboarding love and, well, birds. You’re just a regular-sized bird grinding on rails with a skateboard no bigger than a Tech Deck.
Other than being a cute bird—which you can customize, by the way—the levels are cleverly designed with the size of the bird in mind. For example, hopping off the end of rulers or doing tricks inside of a bookcase. For a wholesome experience, try SkateBIRD.