If arcade and simulation games can roll side-by-side in racing and sports game genres, then the arcade essence of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD can complement the simulation approach of EA's Skate franchise. Thirteen years later, Robomodo have astutely rejuvenated the THPS franchise by returning to its roots, with a HD remodelling of seven stages cherry-picked from the first two THPS titles. The THPS franchise became lost additions to the Tony Hawk's Underground series – including getting off the board to run and climb, skitching by holding onto vehicles and a Jackass-inspired story – complicated its core gameplay.

However, in 2007 the simulation feel of Electronic Arts’ Skate incorporated right-stick thumb trickery to beat Activision at their own game, as they reclaimed the 'Top Skate Title' crown previously held by 1988's Skate or Die!. A session on THPS felt like going for a skate, in that it recreated the mind-set of a skater in a gamer's head, where they would scan their home environment for ramps, ledges and skate lines, in a similar way to how a Tetris player organises tetrominoes, even when their eyes are shut.

Neversoft embraced skate culture so vehemently that a number of their team became skilled at riding a real seven-ply deck and urethane wheels. When Tony Hawk's Pro Skater first landed on PlayStation in 1999 it was welcomed with open arms and scabby knees by skateboarders, as the first video game to capture what it felt like to skate.

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