I know what you’re going to say right from the get-go. We are getting a brand new Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater game in the next few months and yes, I’m incredibly happy with the revival of one of the greatest gaming franchises from my childhood. With that being said,  Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 is a remake of the first two games in the franchise, and it will feature the same soundtrack that was present in those games.

That’s awesome, don’t get me wrong. However, I’m trying to think ahead a little bit, hoping for a proper Tony Hawk sequel to be released in the near future. The Tony Hawk series of games have always been widely praised for their soundtracks and a new game in the franchise should keep that flame alive. It should feature a mixture of hip hop, punk, ska, alternative rock, and metal, with these songs sharing some similar features, such as an upbeat mood and fast pace. Something to keep your adrenaline pumping while performing a 900 on a half-pipe.

I’ll try to include a bit of everything, with the aforementioned genres being represented with both classic and more modern songs. A nice balance between well-known acts, cult favorites, as well as up and coming bands, just like the Tony Hawk games have always succeeded at doing.

Classic Hip-Hop (5 songs)

Pras feat. Ol’ Dirty Bastard & Mýa: “Ghetto Supastar”

House of Pain: “Jump Around”

How the hell hasn’t this been part of any previous Tony Hawk game is beyond my comprehension.

Biz Markie: “Just a Friend”

Because every Tony Hawk game needs a dumb yet charming song in its soundtrack.

Public Enemy: “Harder Than You Think”

In my humble opinion, Public Enemy’s most underrated gem. This song was released twenty years into the group’s career and it’s by far their most uplifting banger.

OutKast: “B.O.B. (Bombs Over Baghdad)”

Fast-paced, energetic, completely over-the-top. This OutKast classic is a perfect choice for a skateboarding soundtrack.

Modern Hip-Hop (2 songs)

Kendrick Lamar: “King Kunta”

Dave: “Thiago Silva”

Sure, it’s a football song, but it still fits.

Ska (3 songs)

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones: “The Impression That I Get”

Another one that can only be described as “how the hell hasn’t this been included in Tony Hawk games before”.

Sublime: “What I Got”

Ditto.

The Interrupters: “Bad Guy (Billie Eilish Cover)”

Killing two birds with one stone, a modern ska representative, as well as one of the most popular songs from the past year in a format that’s better suited for a skateboarding game.

Classic Alternative (3 songs)

Hüsker Dü: “Don’t Want To Know If You Are Lonely”

Such an important band that inspired everyone from the 90’s onwards; Hüsker Dü deserves a nod.

Butthole Surfers: “Who Was In My Room Last Night”

The Butthole Surfers are the living embodiment of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater’s crass 90’s / early 2000’s humor.

Harvey Danger: “Flagpole Sitta”

This underappreciated gem from the 90’s features one of the most smart and ironic lyrics from the decade, with that typical Gen-X sense of humor that was all the rage in the late 90’s.

Classic Punk (5 songs)

Descendents: “Suburban Home”

They basically gave birth to pop punk, emo, and everything in between. Without them, we wouldn’t have had half of the songs featured in past Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater games.

Misfits: “Die Die My Darling”

Buzzcocks: “What Do I Get”

We also need a representative from Britain’s first wave of punk rock bands.

Screeching Weasel: “Guest List”

Good Riddance: “Steps”

Modern Pop Punk / Hardcore (5 songs)

Bad Religion: “Chaos From Within”

C’mon. It’s THE hardcore band. Do you really think I wasn’t going to include them?

Knuckle Puck: “Breathe”

An upbeat and positive modern pop punk song, which is a rare thing to be seen in 2020.

The Story So Far: “Quicksand”

This song just screams “Tony Hawk”.

Hands Off Gretel: “I Want The World”

Tony Hawk games are severely lacking in rock tunes with female-fronted bands. Time to correct the mistakes from the past with this absolute banger.

Neck Deep: “Gold Steps”

This one is pretty self-explanatory.

Classic Metal / Hard Rock (2 songs)

Helmet: “In the Meantime”

Black Sabbath (the Dio era): “Neon Knights”

Because we need to spread the legacy of Dio whenever possible. RIP.

Modern Metal / Hard Rock (5 songs)

Municipal Waste: “Breathe Grease”

Ghost: “Dance Macabre”

Pay attention to the lyrics. This isn’t a love song.

The Wildhearts: “Dislocated”

The kind of riff that punches you in the face as soon as the song begins. A perfect fit for a Tony Hawk song.

Kvelertak: “Crack of Doom feat. Troy Sanders”

Kvelertak walks a fine line between hardcore and heavy metal. Regardless of what genre you label them, their adrenaline-fueled tunes are a perfect fit for a Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater game.

Hawk Eyes: “Witch Hunt”

Not exactly a recent song (it’s from 2012), but this is an opportunity to showcase this criminally underrated British band to a wider audience. It would please the Fu Manchu-loving crowd, as you can clearly notice their influence in Hawk Eyes’ music.

What would you add on your dream THPS6 soundtrack? Let us know in the comments below!