Like skateboarding itself, skateboarding games have come a long way in the last couple decades. Games like Skate or Die and 720 became staples of the 1980s and with the advent of the Sony Playstation, the Tony Hawk series took games to a whole new level.

We still have a special place for the classics, as well as the new games that continue to push the boundaries of gaming. Here are a few of the best skateboarding games ever made.

Skate Boardin’

 
There wasn’t much to this Atari 2600 game, but it helped usher in an area of skateboarding game development that led to some of today’s most beloved skate games. The entire game is just one level that lasts about ten minutes if you successfully navigate your way to school. The ramps look like stairs and there are also some hurdles thrown in the mix. It’s a lot like Pitfall on a skateboard.
 
 

Town & Country Surf Design: Wood and Water Rage

 
Ironically, the surfing aspect of this game was all but worthless and most players stuck to the skateboarding events. Players could catch air, wipe out and fall into cavernous pits. The game itself is named after a shop in Hawaii that manufactured surfboards and clothing. The characters in the game were modeled after T&C’s “Da Boys” cartoon characters, which were popular tee shit designs before the game hit the market.
 
 

Skate or Die!

 
While most of us are familiar with the NES version, Skate or Die! was originally released in 1997 for Commodore 64 and Atari ST. The game featured two iconic characters, Rodney Recloose and Bionic Lester. Players compete in ramp events, downhill, pool joust and other contests. While major video game reviewers gave Skate or Die! Pretty hard knocks, it has become a favorite cult classic still played by vintage gaming enthusiasts.
 
 

720°

 
Released as an arcade game in 1986 and on Nintendo in 1989, 720 became one of the most popular skateboarding games out there and is attributed as one of the first extreme sports video games on the market. Of course, the gaming feat for skilled players was actually landing a 720 on the half pipe. To move through the game, players must earn enough points to move on to bigger and better events.
 
 

Top Skater

 
This arcade game had everything a skateboarding game enthusiast was looking for  – including an a deck-shaped controller you stood on to do tricks. Big airs, grabs, 360s and plenty of other tricks were at out fingertips with a punk rock soundtrack to tie everything together.
 
 

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater

 
Pro Skater took skateboard gaming into the new millennium. It featured a rotating cast of favorite professional skaters to choose from, superior graphics and an incredible bank of tricks. The game mixed the best elements of street and ramp skating, allowing players to shred in a way reality simply would never allow. It came with loads of critical acclaim and spawned plenty of follow-ups.
 
 

Thrasher: Skate and Destroy

 
Thrasher, the premiere skateboarding magazine for decades, teamed up with Rockstar Games to put out Skate and Destroy. Unfortunately, this game was released on Playstation shortly after Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater hit the streets. Needless to say, Thrasher’s game didn’t get the love it deserved. It featured a solid hip-hop soundtrack, but getting the tricks down was a lot harder than Tony Hawk’s game, which turned off a lot of players.
 
 

Grind Session

 
Grind session was yet another post-Hawk game that didn’t get the love it deserved, but did have a pretty solid following. Critics knocked this one for being a Tony Hawk rip off, yet despite the bad rap, it actually had some pretty remarkable playability and was decidedly more realistic than it’s Hawk counterpart – although there was still plenty of opportunity to defy reality.
 
 

Tony Hawk’s Underground

 
Released in 2003, Tony Hawk’s Underground upped the stakes once again by adding several new elements. This game actually included storytelling, vehicles and the ability to get off your skateboard. It was new territory that helped revive the Hawk series and make it the premiere skateboarding game once again.
 
 

Skate 3

 
Skate 3 hit the market in 2010 and quickly became a favorite of gamers looking for a bit more of a challenging and realistic skateboarding experience. Thrasher’s third installment of the Skate and Destroy series provides a depth of playability and storytelling unseen in its competitors.
 
 

Each Halloween, The Daggers, a local Arizona based BMX group, throws a bicycle-mounted scavenger hunt throughout Tempe, Arizona called the Dagger Death Race. This year was the Death Race Five and looking through the photos I saw a pretty sweet skateboarding halloween costume, the Powell Peralta Bones Brigade logo A.K.A. “BONES”!

Check out more pictures from the Death Race Five at The Dagger Zone.

We just saw this on TMZ this morning. Allegedly, what seems to be an intoxicated Chad Muska was arrested in Hollywood for tagging his name “MUSKA” on a Coffee Bean and “MUSKA KILLS” on the El Capitan Theater last night. According to the TMZ report, Chad Muska was detained by security guards at the Roosevelt Hotel around 2am until LAPD showed up. Chad Muska was then arrested and booked for felony vandalism charges. Chad Muska is currently being held on $20,000 bail.

Watch the video of Muska’s arrest on TMZ – CLICK HERE.

Some of us here at Skateboarding Skateboards have skated with Chad Muska in Phoenix, AZ back in the day and from what we see on this video he seems out of it. The gnarly beard may be influencing him to do some pretty crazy things (kidding of course).

Ditch everything but the skateboard, that meeting with the folks, forget it, and hit up the park, your local skate spot, or that abandoned pool next door in that foreclosed home, and just watch out for the 5-0 because they will be watching today. June 21st, the summer solstice in most people’s minds, is also another hot topic day, Go Skateboarding Day. With the longest period of daylight of the year, today was created back in 2003 as a day for skateboarders around the world to come together and join in their favorite pastime. No matter where you are in the world, today is reserved for any and all to grab a skateboard and have fun.

Back in 2003 from its beginnings, this day was created with the skateboarder in mind, bringing together one and all to engage in or even learn how to skateboard. Thanks in most part to the International Association of Skateboard Companies; today is now a holiday to skateboarders all over the world. While most are at work, or sitting in front of their television on the couch, skateboarders have been coming together over the past few weeks if not months making plans for today.

If you have ever been skateboarding, you know the thrill and excitement that comes with the freedom of the skateboard underneath your feet, well that is, after you learn to balance it between you and the ground. But once you learn the basics, the world has a new view; the view from the skateboarder’s eye is completely different from those who only know of the world on their feet.

Today is a day to inspire anyone to take up that skateboard, beg, borrow, just get one in your hands, put it on the ground and stand on it, learn to control the skateboard, you may fall, but that comes with the territory. Every skateboarder started out the same. Learning how to control the somewhat unwieldy piece of board on wheels at their feet. Once you get the hang of it, the possibilities are endless. Some use it for transportation; others find an amazingly exhilarating sport that changes them for life.

June 21st is the day where skateboarders come together to do what they love, and to get others informed about what is going on in their circle of life. Today is an offering into a glimpse of a different lifestyle from the norm. Somewhere in your vicinity, there is a group of skateboarders who have made plans for today, be it at their skate park, or anywhere with a surface suitable for skating, they are congregating and shredding the land with their skateboards.

Don’t let June 21st slip by without skateboarding on Go Skateboarding Day! Learn more about skateboarding and the history of skateboarding from SkateboardingSkateboards.com.

Ryan Dunn, Jackass star and actor, passed away early this morning in West Goshen Township, Pennsylvania when his car crashed into the woods. Ryan brought countless laughs to people world wide and he was loved greatly by the skateboarding community.

Ryan Matthew Dunn (June 11, 1977 – June 20, 2011)

Just got word today from the City of Phoenix Parks Development and Planning Division that Rob Dyrdek’s Safe Spot Skate Spot (Safespot Skatespot) will open July 16th, 2011 at the Cesar Chavez Park in Phoenix, Arizona (35th avenue and Baseline Rd).

As you may recall, back on August 24th, 2010 the Rob Dyrdek Foundation, Street League Skateboarding and Monster Energy teamed up to donate the Street League Skateboarding course along with $50,000 to build the first Safe Spot Skate Spot in Phoenix, Arizona. It now looks like the highly anticipated new skatepark is opening very soon.

Below is information on Cesar Chavez park in Phoenix, Arizona:

Cesar Chavez Park Info:

Address:
7858 S. 35th Avenue
35th Avenue and Baseline Road
(602) 495-5844
(602) 262-6111 (South Division)

Park Hours: 5:30 a.m. – 11 p.m.

Park offerings: Lighted basketball, boat ramp, fishing, lake, picnic area, playground, racquetball, ramadas,restrooms, lighted softball, tennis, lighted baseball field, lighted multi-purpose field, soccer fields and the new Rob Dyrdek Safe Spot Skate Spot, WOO!

View Larger Map

UPDATE – 5/31/2011: According to a follow up e-mail from a City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department representative:

The plan is for the plaza to be completed by the time Dyrdek comes to town again in mid July. The plaza will be built at Chavez Park located at 35th Avenue and Baseline. The plaza will be located near the Softball Fields, just southwest of the Libary.

UPDATE – 6/18/2011:

We visited the new location of the Safe Spot Skate Spot in Phoenix, Arizona over the weekend to find just the area marked with a fence. No construction had begun from what we could see. Hope the company in charge of the construction is fast as this deadline is coming up quickly.

You think you have fingerboarding skills? Check out this awesomely done fingerboard skateboarding video.

Also, check out the best skate videos of all time.

Showcasing the latest styles and tricks, videos are a huge part of the skateboard industry. Every year a shit ton of videos come out, but these in my opinion are the best of the best. Now I know for a fact that alot of you won’t agree with this list, and you are entitled to your opinion, no matter how gay or wrong you are. My advice: make your own top ten on your own website, doucheface!

10. Welcome to Hell – Toy Machine

This video has a great soundtrack, and even better skateboarding! From the smooth style of Donny Barley to the pure power of Mike Maldonado, each section is more epic than the last. I would have to say the slam section is easily one of the gnarliest I’ve ever seen, so be warned…..By the time you see handrail-killer Jamie Thomas at the end, you’ll definitely be hyped to go skate.

9. Fulfill the Dream – Shorty’s

With a definite hip-hop flavor, this video perfectly blends technical skating with big gaps and rails. It begins with the whimsical and quirky Steve Olson, which is worth watching even if just for the insane roof-to-rail transfer. One of my favorite parts of all time, “Best Style” award winner Peter Smolik steps up with some flip-in flip-out shit that will blow your mind. Not to be forgotten, Chad Muska unleashes his big ledge/gap assault and reminds us why he was the shit in the 90′s.

8. The End – Birdhouse

The End is Birdhouse’s high-cost brainchild of a project offered to all you skate-hungry kids out there. The video, shot entirely on 35mm, features a pre-Baker Andrew Reynolds fucking ripping, as well as Tony Hawk and Bucky Lasek getting all vert on that ass.  My favorite section though would have to be the shared part of Heath Kirchart and Jeremy Klein, as they destroy (literally) everything that gets in their way with their van and then set up a jump ramp to skate a variety of signs, a bus stop, and even a gas pump. Each skater also has a Hollywood caliber skit that serves as an intro (and/or closing) to his part.

7. Trilogy – 101, World Industries, Blind

Okay now this one really fucked me up (in a good way) when it first came out. The opening 101 part is just dripping with steez, Gino Iannucci‘s part easily fits into the “Legendary” category and Jason Dill exhibits his usual wackiness. Ronnie Creager and Lavar McBride dominate the blind section, with smooth lines and crazy technical flavor. Last but not least is the World Industries team, and Kareem Campbell comes through with the best part in the video. His song is still dope, and the switch hardflip over the picnic table is still sick as hell.

6. Baker 3 – Baker

Andrew “The Boss” Reynolds has put together one of the best teams in the history of skateboarding, and this video is a testament to that. The soundtrack kicks all kinds of ass, and the skating is phenomenal. Erik Ellington starts the shit out, and his Backside Bigspin down the carlsbad gap is still impressive. Antwuan Dixon and Jeff Lenoce both have some hammers, and Kevin “Spanky” Long is just plain fun to watch. The sketchy style of Jim Greco never gets old, you can tell he always goes for broke. Ending the video is 360 flip champ Bryan Herman, and when you watch it you’ll see why he got the last part.

5. Fully Flared – Lakai

Over 4 years in the making, this video features more legends than I can count. Technical master Mike Mo Capaldi starts the shat off right, his last trick is guaranteed to melt your face with its steezy goodness. Veterans Mike Carroll and Rick Howard prove they still have the game on lock, as well as Eric Koston and always smooth  Marc Johnson. Almost everyone knows by now about Guy Mariano‘s part, which won “Best Street” and “Best Video Part” at the 2007 Transworld Skateboarding awards.

4. Questionable – Plan B

Even though the styles in this one are outdated, the innovation alone of the skaters in this video make it a must-own. Pat Duffy was definitely a pioneer in the field of handrails. He was breaking new ground every time he went filming, all the while making it look so fucking easy. The supreme high commander of technical skateboarding, Rodney Mullen will school you in the art of flippery. Although kinda sketchy, Sean Sheffey has such a unique style and swagger that will have you mesmerized.

3. Sorry – Flip

I still watch this video all the time. Mark Appleyard is always on point, and here is no exception. His style is unarguably one of the best ever. Tough as a motherfucker, Geoff Rowley is overall the most gnarly on the team. Having some of the biggest tricks in the video, he shows his consistency with some smooth lines as well. What can you say about Tom Penny that hasnt been said a million times. His mini-ramp technique has got to be the best in the world, and his street skate is hypnotic. Even watching him kickflip on flatground is magical. Almost dying twice during shooting the film, Arto Saari gave his all for this and you could tell. He was on a mission for crazy footage for sure, and he brought us all along for the ride. Sick as shit.

2. Mouse – Girl

Having Spike Jonze direct a skate video was a stroke of brilliance. I played this video until the tape broke when it first came out, and yes that means it was a VHS tape you DVD bitch! Gino Iannucci and the now passed Keenan Milton shine bright with their ledge mastery, while Rick Howard and Mike Carroll always have rad lines for days and days. Almost everyone agrees that Guy Mariano is an Icon, his casual grace and trick selection are unmatched in skateboarding. I really need to find a copy of this vid, and so should you if you haven’t seen it.

1. Search for Animal Chin – Powell Peralta

Still my favorite after all these years, this was actually the first video i ever saw. It follows the adventures of Tony Hawk and the Bones Brigade team as they travel in hopes of finding the elusive Won Ton Animal Chin, the first thrasher to ever hop on a board. Along the way, they tear up everything from the streets of Chinatown, to launch ramps in a park, to empty hotel pools, to big fuckin’ vert ramps in the desert. The format of this video is like a porno, lots of action sandwiched by a lot of bad acting. The entertainment value and pure style of this shit never gets old to me though.

SKATE or S.K.A.T.E. is a skateboarding game that is modeled after the basketball game called HORSE. The skateboard game can be played with as many skaters as those playing like, but typically there are only a few playing against each other. The idea behind the skateboarding game SKATE is that the skaters playing take turns trying to land tricks that the other players cannot. Once one skater lands a skateboard trick, the other skaters has to land the same skate trick, or he or she earns the first letter of the word SKATE. Once a skater spells out the entire word SKATE, that skater player loses. It’s a super simple but fun game to play against your friends or others at skate spots.

In the skateboarding game of SKATE, it’s common for the free skateboarding game to be played on flatland (meaning with no obstacles involved). However, some like to play the game of skate in a skate park using all obstacles in the skatepark, playing the game of SKATE in a parking lot using the rails and curbs, or on half pipes and mini ramps.  Additionally, similar to the basketball game HORSE, some SKATE players like to play that a letter isn’t earned in SKATE until the first skater to land the skate trick proves it. So, while playing, SKATE player A (we’ll call him Eric) lands a 360 Flip. Then player B (we’ll call her Chad) tries the 360 Flip and bails (does not land the skate trick). Now, Chad should earn a letter, but first Eric has to pull off another 360 flip without messing up. If he lands it, Chad gets his letter. If he doesn’t, Chad doesn’t get a letter, and now it’s Chad’s turn to try and land a skateboarding trick that will be hard for Eric to land, and the game goes on. This makes games of SKATE last a lot longer and isn’t always played this way.

Professional Games of Skate

eS shoe company has been holding an amateur world wide SKATE competition for several years now.  Usually, The eS  SKATE competition ends with a huge game of SKATE against the pros in San Diego at the end of summer.

If you don’t know about Shake Junt by now, then you better ask somebody bitch! Always keeping it g-code, they’re busting out with some new shit for the new year. The shirts are lookin super fresh, particularly the Bryan Herman and Braydon Szafranski signature Chicken Bone designs. For those of you that live in a cave and haven’t seen it yet, watch this shit immediately Shake Junt Chicken Bone Video NOWISON! You should also notice the new accessories including a “Get Buck” beer mug, Official logo bottle opener, and the “Let It Ride” Brian Hansen pack (which is a Deathwish tye-dye bandanna and black sunglasses).