PSP games are tricky to review. On the one hand it is a portable system with console-like capabilities, but it isn’t a full fledged console. On the other hand, when gamers pick up a game that is appearing on multiple platforms, their expectation is that it will be the same game on every system. That is not the case with Project 8 the next in the line of Tony Hawk games and the second on the PSP.

As a skateboarding game only, Tony Hawk succeeds. Great gameplay though a little squished and a weird concept to put the manual trick (usually up,down or down,up on the d-pad) on the X button but entirely playable and enjoyable. THUG 2 Remix released when the system first came out was a great game that gave you tons to do and see, but the actually skating was limited since you had to do all kinds of stupid objective based missions (it did have a great create-a-mode setup though which is sorely lacking here). Here the game is pure skating and the game succeeds because of it.

Most things from the next-gen version are here, but in a truncated form. Nail-the-trick is present with the ability to slow time and use the d-pad and face buttons as your left and right foot respectively to flip and rotate the board. A great idea and one that can “abused” to get extremely high scores on a regular basis. A great weapon to add to your arsenal of flips, grabs, grinds, etc.

The next-gen graphics and motion capture system are not present here with version being on par if not better than the PS2 version. The graphics are pretty good for a PSP game where they were lacking in the PS2 version. The create-a-skater could use some work (not every skater has tattoos you know). Also there is no streaming world, but that works in this portable version to make it easier to jump into and out of play when on the go. You can pick up your PSP and literally invest five minutes to complete a goal, save, and then shut it down and continue on with your life. The levels, though a little uninspired do the job and the load times are pretty quick including a steady frame rate.

The sound is average, bordering on been-there done-that territory. The music however is great as usual. Most soundtracks in games are just average, but Tony Hawk has always given you more than most and Project 8 is no exception.

On the whole, THP8 is classic Tony to go. Highly recommended to any skating fan with a pretty good package overall. The only downfall is the weird control setup and the lack of create-a-modes. Definitely worth the trip.