It seems astounding to think that a single song from a single game’s soundtrack (let alone a demo disc) could have that sort of impact, but in the late ’90s, it was very, very real. I hate to sound like a “back in my day” old coot, but I could not possibly begin to articulate the profound impact the THPS series had on music and on American culture as a whole.
But when you consider the franchise’s recent mistakes, interested parties have to ask: are they doing it the right way? The World-Famous Soundtracks I have been obsessed with the series ever since scoring the fabled Pizza Hut demo disc as a 9-year-old way back when, and I was hesitantly excited to see the series return. Perhaps none is more damning than 2015’s Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5, which became more famous for its launch bugs and glitches than anything nostalgic. As much as we love the THPS series, it has had its fair share of missteps. Naturally, when the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 and 2 remasters were announced, it was met with some questionable glances.
Whether it is an article, roundtable discussion, or just a message on the OS forums, we daydream about rebooting our favorites all the time around here, often just begging for the exact same game to be re-released with practically nonexistent upgrades.
Countless decade-old dormant franchises (the original NFL Street would be getting its driver’s license this year) are not just exclusively nostalgic, but also arguably play as smooth or even smoother than current-gen titles. How often, particularly here at OS, do we as sports gaming enthusiasts clamor for properly done remakes and remasters? Whether it is Def Jam: Fight for NY, NBA Street, MVP Baseball or NFL Blitz, the list is seemingly endless.