The single-player campaign in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater HD will feature a combination of all-new game modes alongside some of the classics. Fans of Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground will be pleased to see that Hawkman has made a return: a game mode where players fly around levels collecting a series of colored pellets before time runs out (think Pac-Man on skateboards). A brand-new mode to the series is Big Head Survival, where players have a head that’s constantly growing and the only way to stop the swelling is to perform tricks before it gets too big and explodes. Throw in Free Skate and a never before seen list of PROjectives, new, harder objectives unlocked upon completing the game’s original objectives, and there’s plenty to keep gamers coming back for more.

Beyond career mode, online play offers its own assortment of specific game modes. Trick Attack is the classic, two minute battle where the player with the highest score as time runs out reigns victorious. Old favorite Graffiti mode also returns and gives players two minutes to “tag” as many objects as they can by performing tricks on them. Making its online debut is Big Head Elimination, a hilarious game mode where players will have to perform tricks to shrink their ever-growing heads and keep their noggins intact longer than their opponents. Free Skate is another online mode and allows players to skate around openly and practice tricks without any goals or time restraints.

Tapping into fans’ muscle memories, the gameplay in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater HD returns to controllers and focuses on the satisfaction of linking sick tricks for maximum points. Combining sharp visuals with the best controls ever in a Tony Hawk game, the feel is cutting edge yet timeless. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater HD features an eclectic group of today’s skateboarding pros, including Nyjah Huston, Chris Cole, Eric Koston, Andrew Reynolds, Rodney Mullen, Lyn-z Adams Hawkins (Pastrana), Riley Hawk, and, of course, Tony Hawk himself.

After constant prodding and heartfelt pleading from fans, Activision has confirmed today that Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater HD will get downloadable content. Going even further, it has been officially stated that first batch will include multiple levels from Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3. Ratcheting things up even further is the fact that the exact levels haven’t been decided yet, and Activision, Robomodo, and Tony Hawk himself want to hear from the fans to determine the final content of the DLC.

Hardcore fans may remember that Tony Hawk went on Twitter last summer to ask his fans their favorite THPS 1+2 levels, and that feedback played a role in the levels chosen for Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater HD. It wasn’t an exact science – Tony still pushed to get Phoenix Downhill in there despite the fact it didn’t top the list – but other levels like Marseilles and School 2 made the cut because of the fans.

Also, to clear up some speculation: You can do manuals as part of trick combos in THPS HD. Given the fact that this game combines the best gameplay from THPS1 and THPS2, reverts will not work as part of trick combos in the initial launch of THPS HD as that mechanic was not introduced until THPS3. However, reverts will work in the post-release DLC for the THPS3 levels, as those levels were originally designed to accommodate this.

Due to licensing issues the original soundtrack could not be fully retained so lead designer Patrick Dwyer revealed the new soundtrack:

Tracks from the original games:

• Bring the Noise - Anthrax featuring Chuck D
• Superman - Goldfinger
• When Worlds Collide - Powerman 5000
• Heavy Metal Winner - Consumed
• May 16 - Lagwagon
• No Cigar - Millencolin
• You - Bad Religion

New tracks:

• The Bomb - Pigeon John
• We the People - Lateef the Truthspeaker
• Marathon Mansion! - Pegasuses-XL
• Teenage Blood - Apex Manor
• Please Ask for Help - Telekinesis
• Flyentology (Cassettes Won’t Listen Remix) - El-P featuring Trent Reznor
• USA - Middle Class Rut

Features

• HD Upgrade: Game was rebuilt and polished by Robomodo using Neversoft’s original code.
• Classic levels: The style and feel of the best 7 levels from THPS and THPS2 refreshed for today (Warehouse, School 2, Mall, Phoenix, Hangar, Marseilles and Venice.). Tony Hawk himself put a call out to his fans on Twitter during the summer of 2011 to decide the final levels.
• The Top Pros: Today’s biggest skate pros round out the cast including: Nyjah Huston, Chris Cole, Eric Koston, Andrew Reynolds, Rodney Mullen, Lyn-z Adams Hawkins (Pastrana), Riley Hawk and, of course, Tony Hawk himself.
• Refined controls: The skaters’ animations, tricks and combos reflect the evolution of the THPS games. For example, you can do manuals in levels from the first THPS, a trick that didn’t enter the franchise until THPS2.
• Endlessly fun objectives: Players pursue the same global and level-specific goals as the original games, including S-K-A-T-E, Secret DVD (used to be VHS tape!), and many more.
• Details on soundtrack and online modes will be announced soon.