After playing THPS3, it's tough to even think about going back to play the first two Tony Hawk titles. The difficulty is just right (although the medal competitions are a bit tough at times) and the game is considerably faster than the previous two titles.
There is a bit of nasty slowdown that occurs here and there, and I have some issues with a few of the songs on the soundtrack, but the game is the new skateboarding king of the hill-- Neversoft has done it again.