PETER HOSKIN reviews Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 and Monster Hunter Stories 2 – Wings Of Ruin

As a philosopher once said, let’s party like it’s 1999. That was the year when Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater was released for the original PlayStation — and now it’s back for modern consoles, just as much fun as it was at the end of the last millennium.

In truth, it’s been back for several months: a remastered combo pack of both Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 and 2, with much prettier graphics, was released for PlayStation, Xbox and PC last year.

But Nintendo’s Switch has just been added to the list, meaning that these games can now be enjoyed on a handheld device. And, gosh, it feels so right.

In truth, it’s been back for several months: a remastered combo pack of both Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 and 2. But Nintendo’s Switch has just been added to the list, meaning that these games can now be enjoyed on a handheld device

The first two Tony Hawk games, named for the professional skateboarder who lent his features to all the marketing, always were masterpieces of control. You guided your own skateboarder around digital interpretations of American warehouses, parks and forecourts, performing tricks along the way.

It was easy, just rolling around. And it was difficult, getting really good at the controls. These games didn’t really judge you either way; they simply let you do your thing.

The remastered versions retain that magic. And, crucially for 90s kids, they also retain most of the songs from the original soundtracks. Just pull on some headphones, grab your Switch, and start kickflipping it with Tony and his buddies.

The main Monster Hunter series is popular in part because of how demanding it is: you’ve really got to master a lot of button combinations to defeat them beasts.

This second title in that sideline, Wings Of Ruin, doesn’t require knowledge of the first nor, indeed, of any previous Monster Hunter games

But that’s why some — me included – might get along better with the Stories sideline. The combat is more laid-back. The emphasis is on, well, story.

This second title in that sideline, Wings Of Ruin, doesn’t require knowledge of the first nor, indeed, of any previous Monster Hunter games. It’s a fine way into a very colourful world… with its murderous fauna.