Overview
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 (THPS3) is the third entry in the legendary skateboarding franchise, developed by Neversoft and published by Activision. Released in 2001, it was the first PS2 game to feature online multiplayer and later ported to PC, GameCube, Xbox, and Game Boy Advance.
THPS3 expanded on the foundation of its predecessors by introducing reverts, allowing players to chain combos from ramps into manuals for massive points. With iconic music, a killer trick system, and a roster of pro skaters, THPS3 became a genre-defining sports game.
🖥️ System Requirements (PC Version)
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 was officially released for Windows PCs in 2002. It’s lightweight by modern standards, but may need compatibility tweaks on newer systems.
✅ Minimum System Requirements (Original)
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| OS | Windows 98 / ME / 2000 / XP |
| CPU | Intel Pentium III 500 MHz |
| RAM | 64 MB |
| GPU | 16 MB Direct3D-compatible video card |
| DirectX | DirectX 8.0 |
| Storage | 700 MB |
✅ Modern PC Compatibility (Unofficial)
| Component | Recommended Specs for Modern Play |
|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 / 11 (64-bit) |
| CPU | Dual-core Intel/AMD processor |
| GPU | Integrated GPU or any discrete GPU |
| RAM | 2 GB or more |
| Emulator | Optional (PCSX2, Dolphin) |
| Patch | Compatibility patch / dgVoodoo |
⚠️ On Windows 10/11, you may need to run the game in compatibility mode (Windows XP) or use wrappers like dgVoodoo2 to fix graphics and resolution.
⭐ THPS3 Review Summary
| Category | Score (Out of 10) |
|---|---|
| Gameplay | 9.5 |
| Controls | 9.0 |
| Graphics (2001) | 8.5 |
| Soundtrack | 10.0 |
| Replayability | 9.0 |
| Overall | 9.2/10 ⭐ |
🎮 Game Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Skaters | Tony Hawk, Rodney Mullen, Elissa Steamer, Bam Margera, etc. |
| Levels | Foundry, Rio, Suburbia, Tokyo, Airport, Canada, etc. |
| Trick System | Kickflips, manuals, reverts, special tricks |
| Modes | Career, Free Skate, Multiplayer, Park Editor |
| Customization | Create-a-Skater, Unlockables, Cheats |
| Online (PS2) | First THPS with online multiplayer |
🎵 Iconic Soundtrack Highlights
- “Ace of Spades” – Motörhead
- “What’s the Difference” – Dr. Dre
- “Blitzkrieg Bop” – Ramones
- “If You Must” – Del the Funky Homosapien
The soundtrack perfectly blends punk, rap, and metal to energize gameplay.
🧩 Playable Platforms
| Platform | Status |
|---|---|
| PlayStation 2 | ✅ Original Release |
| PC (Windows) | ✅ Needs tweaks |
| GameCube / Xbox | ✅ Native support |
| GBA / N64 | ✅ Portable versions |
| PC Emulation | ✅ (PCSX2, Dolphin) |
| Remastered | ❌ Not yet available |
📥 How to Download & Play THPS3 (Legally)
✅ Option 1: Play Original PC Version
- Buy a physical copy from eBay, Amazon, or retro game stores.
- Install on your PC and:
- Run in Windows XP compatibility mode
- Use dgVoodoo2 wrapper for modern resolution fixes
💡 Game disc may require a No-CD patch for modern play (check legality in your region).
✅ Option 2: Emulate PS2/GameCube Version
You can run the console versions using emulators for smoother and more reliable performance.
🔹 PS2 Emulation (PCSX2)
- Download PCSX2 Emulator: https://pcsx2.net
- Use your legally owned THPS3 disc to create an ISO
- Load and configure for HD graphics
🔹 GameCube Emulation (Dolphin)
- Download Dolphin Emulator: https://dolphin-emu.org
- Game runs well in 60 FPS at 1080p+
⚠️ Only emulate games you own physically to remain within legal use.
📊 Performance (Emulated vs Native)
| Platform | Resolution | FPS | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PC Original | 480p | 30 | May need patching on Win 10 |
| PCSX2 (PS2 ISO) | 1080p+ | 60 | Smooth gameplay with upscaling |
| Dolphin (GC ISO) | 1080p+ | 60 | Great performance, fast loading |
🧾 Conclusion
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 remains a golden standard in skateboarding games, with fluid controls, engaging level design, and a killer soundtrack. While it may not have the modern shine of the remastered THPS 1+2, it still holds its ground as one of the most addictive and fun sports games ever made.
Whether you’re playing on a retro PC or through emulation, THPS3 is a ride worth taking.
Would you like:
- A step-by-step emulator setup?
- A downloadable PDF of this article?
- Reviews for THPS2 or THUG?
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