Reviewed on GBA

TONY HAWK'S PRO SKATER 2

for GameBoy Advance (or read our PC review)
Reviewed By: Joshua Hughes
VOLUNTEER GUEST REVIEWER
GAME TECH INFO

Computer Platform: GameBoy Advance (GBA)
Produced by: Activision
Price Range: $40
Learning curve time: 30 min.

Genre: Sports
Christian Rating: 5 of 5
   (nothing offensive)
Gameplay: 5 of 5
   (excellent)
Violence: 4 of 5
   (barely present)
Adult Content: 5 of 5
   (none)

Screenshot from 'Tony Hawks Pro Skater 2' for GBA
“Tony Hawk Pro Skater” has become the magic words for extreme sport video games. Now, “THPS2” brings true 3D skating goodness to Game Boy Advance.

The game is one of the best release titles for this hand held system. “THPS2” features a 45-degree angle viewpoint—not a complete bird's eye view, yet not completely parallel to the skater either.

There are seven levels in all, five of which are from "THPS2" for Playstation, PC and other systems. The sixth one is the warehouse from the original and the seventh is Rooftops of Boston (I believe this is a GBA exclusive). Many of the levels, in true “THPS” fashion, have secret areas that are accessed by jumping or grinding over things. The levels are not as big as the console game versions, but are still plenty big for all the fun that made the console versions true classics.

Tony and a couple of other skaters make the roster for selectable characters. Mindy and Spider-man are the two secret characters that have to be earned by completing certain objectives in the game.

“THPS2” GBA is pretty much neutral from a Christian outlook, unless you count big, painful crashes as excessive violence. The engine is very well done; the first 3D hand held game rocks on all levels in this arena. The gameplay is very fun, an AWESOME choice for road trips. Overall an 86%.

Hints: Grind and jump over everything—who knows when you will open a secret area or perform a special trick?! All ages will love this game. It's neither too tough nor too difficult for most. Special codes for “THPS2” GBA can be found at gamewinners.com.

Master code: Pause game, hold R shoulder button and hit B, A, Down, A START, START, B, A, RIGHT, B, RIGHT, A UP, LEFT this unlocks all cheats in cheat menu Level Select and max money: Pause game, hold R shoulder button and hit: B, A, LEFT, DOWN, B, LEFT, UP, B, UP, LEFT, LEFT Spider-man Pause game, hold R shoulder button and hit UP, UP, DOWN, DOWN, LEFT, RIGHT, LEFT, RIGHT, B, A, START

Year of Release—2001




I think this is an excellent game. By far the best release for GBA yet. There is nothing objectionable about the game. The only violence occurs when you bail (crash) and blood flies. There is a code where you can turn the blood into smiley faces. The gameplay is awesome. It's so easy to learn (anything with four buttons to use is easy to learn). There are plenty of secrets to unlock, so this game will have you coming back for more. The levels are well done also. They aren't a quarter as big as the PC, PSX, or DC versions, but it's enough to room for them to hide the secret tapes. My overall is a 92%. It also has an awesome soundtrack. HINT: In NY City, if you're having a hard time finding the secret tape, start the level and keep going until you cross the street. Take a left and keep going past the kickers. Then turn around, wall ride off the left kicker, then wallie unto a metal pole. Keep grinding until you come to the end of the pole. Then wall ride on the electric sign, wallieing onto the top of it. Grind this and then wall ride (again!) and wallie onto the fire escape. Grind down the fire escape until you reach the hidden tape. This is the toughest challenge in the game. CHEAT (only read this if you want to easily beat the sick score on every level). Hold the R button then press Left, A, Start, A, Right, Up, Start. This enables Fly Mode. It takes awhile to get used to. Hold B to fly, then using the R and L buttons you can move. My Ratings: [5/5]
   —Joeseph Nordeeck, age 13


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