Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 was a big hit when it released last September, bringing remastered versions of two classic extreme sports games to modern consoles. The game is likely to see another surge in popularity when Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 releases for PS5 and Xbox Series X later this month, followed by Switch later this year. Before then, Activision is offering a limited-time free trial period for the game on Xbox.
Developer Vicarious Visions has been expanding upon the game since it released, giving the Tony Hawk revival new features like private lobbies for multiplayer. When the game comes to next-gen hardware it will get a myriad of additional updates like multiple new graphics modes and the ability to run in 4K, 60 FPS; whereas its Switch port will take advantage of the Nintendo console's portability.
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Thus it makes sense for the developer and publisher to offer prospective fans a trial of the game so they know whether to invest come these future releases. The official Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 Twitter account advertised the free trial available through the Xbox Store until March 12. A graphic included with the tweet indicates it is only limited by time, so the whole game should be accessible with this trial.
While the game was a hit for bringing back a couple of fan-favorite titles with solid mechanics and a fresh coat of paint, one big reason for the appeal of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 has been its player-made custom content. The Create a Park feature has been used for original projects and to recreate settings from games like Spyro 3: Year of the Dragon, Super Mario 64, and more.
Though Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 was a success particularly for fans of the extreme sports genre, it is not the only game released in 2020 that was a boon for Activision. Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time crossed over with Pro Skater 1 + 2 in DLC adding Crash Bandicoot-themed gear to the skateboarding game, and the platformer is also scheduled to release on PS5, Xbox Series X, and Switch later this month.
Both of these games coming to next-gen hardware will likely help Activision boast as strong a 2021 as it had in 2020, so releasing a free trial for Tony Hawk's Pro Skater on Xbox seems like a good move. Activision Blizzard has also been shaking up its management, with the company announcing it hired Frances Townsend today, former counterterrorism expert for US President George W. Bush.
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 is available now on PC, PS4, and Xbox One, with PS5 and Xbox Series X releases coming March 26. A Nintendo Switch port is also slated for later this year.
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