The birdman sets his eye on the GBA with Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3, and it's safe to say that the killer-app eagle has landed.
Now that the clichés are out of the way, let's talk about why this game does the impossible: does THPS2 one better. If you've played the console versions of the game, the answer is simple: better levels, better options, and bigger score combos, thanks to the inclusion of the revert.
Control may have some worried. After all, didn't they cram all they could into the GBA's meager 4 buttons with THPS2? Now they're including yet another move? In reality, the revert fits quite nicely into the control scheme, although the timing for it and other moves isn't the same as you remember from the console versions. A lot of that has to do with the isometric view used. The controls will take a little getting used to, especially if you are accustomed to playing the home console counterparts. Once you have it down though, it's nothing but pure, addicting fun.
Graphics aren't up to par with even the PS1 version, but then again, they're probably not meant to be. For what it's worth, THPS3 is probably the best looking game on the GBA at the moment. Then again, I haven't yet played Advance Wars.
Sound is the game's weak point. All the sound effects associated with grinding, ollies, and bailing are present, and there's even a nice little ditty at the main menu that is reminiscent of the home versions. However, the in-game soundtrack is all generic music that is by no means horrible, but without its licensed soundtrack, the Tony Hawk series just loses a little something.
Actually, the other weak point is precisely what caused the sound to cut corners: the game had to be scaled down to fit within the confines of a handheld. This is certainly understandable, but just know that you only get 6 levels (plus a hidden one), and no skate park mode.
These are all minor complaints that aren't really valid, given the amazing things that were pulled off with the hardware. If you have a PS2, X-Box, Gamecube, or even a PS1, you'd be much better off with one of the other versions. But if your gaming habits are exclusive to Nintendo's handheld, or you're just looking for one hell of a game to play on the go, THPS 3 is for you.
-George
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