The best extreme-sports game gets even better in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3. The elements that made the last two games successful are back: tight controls, a deep trick system, a wide selection of skaters (including Tony Hawk, Bucky Lasek, Rodney Mullen, Chad Muska and Elissa Steamer) and a slick soundtrack. Adding to the already brilliant formula is a new trick, updated graphics and Internet/LAN play. In Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2, players were introduced to the Manual--a move that greatly revolutionised the series' gameplay. This instalment introduces the Revert, and while it isn't as significant an addition as the Manual, it does add another layer to the already deep trick system. The game features solid graphics but a level of detail was sacrificed in order to make the game's levels so large. There are a few moments of frame skipping and polygon clipping, but these instances are rare and don't overshadow the stellar gameplay. Career mode is as deep as ever, with eight objective-filled levels. In this single-player mode players find hidden videotapes and interact with level-specific objects. Two players can participate in the five multiplayer mini-games, which include "king of the hill", "horse" and "trick attack". On its own, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 is a top title, but with its Internet capabilities there's no reason for fans of sports, action and platform games not to have this title. This game will satisfy them all.--Raymond M Padilla

Features:
Skate as the legendary Tony Hawk, or choose from 12 top pro skaters
Full customization abilities with Create-a-Skater (now including female skaters) and Skatepark Editor
Travel from L.A. to Tokyo, Suburbia to Skater's Island performing challenges and meeting goals
Trick off everything in eight massive Living Levels
Skate against up to four friends in all new online play