10 Video Games That Saved Franchises From The Brink Of Doom
9. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2
Franchise on the brink? There was a time when Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater was untouchable - a cultural phenomenon. Warehouse gaps, 900s, and Goldfinger’s “Superman” weren’t just gameplay elements; they were rites of passage. But after a string of gimmicky spin-offs and stale sequels, the series finally bailed hard with Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5.
Launched in 2015 to retain the license (and it showed), THPS5 was an unmitigated disaster. Buggy, rushed, and ugly, it felt like a parody of its former glory. The physics were broken, online was a mess, textures refused to load, and menus looked like placeholder assets. What had once been the king of smooth, stylish movement was now handled like a shopping trolley on fire. The Birdman deserved better - and so did the fans.
Saved by: Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2
Enter Vicarious Visions. With Pro Skater 1+2, they delivered a loving, meticulous remake that captured everything great about the originals - and added just enough modern magic. Iconic levels were rebuilt in stunning detail, the soundtrack returned in full force, and the gameplay? As slick and satisfying as ever.
It wasn’t just a good remake - it was a redemption arc. THPS felt relevant again, skate culture was back in the mainstream, and most importantly, it reminded fans that this franchise still had kickflips left in the tank.