When we talk about skateboarding titles, very few carry the same kind of following and respect that EA’s Skate franchise does. When the first Skate title launched back in 2007, it transformed a niche genre dominated by arcade-style Tony Hawk titles. Skate 1 had the whole vibe shifted towards a more realistic control scheme for skateboarding, and we’ve only seen it get better.
As the series evolved, each sequel introduced improved controls, larger playgrounds to explore, and some of the smoothest lines you’ll ever see in a skateboarding game. Now, with the franchise rebooted after about 15 years, everyone’s losing their minds over it.
Nostalgia is hitting, expectations are soaring through the roof, and the series has certainly become a hot topic for discussion.
It’s all about how these games actually feel when you’re in the moment. So, let’s get into it as I rank every EA Skate title below, from the new kid around the block to the undisputed classics.
- Skate 1 (EA Black Box, Sept 2007)
- Skate 2 (EA Black Box, Jan 2009)
- Skate 3 (EA Black Box, May 2010)
- Skate 4 (EA Full Circle, Early Access Sept, 2025)
4. Skate 4 / Skate. (2025)
skate. is the franchise’s revival that launched into Early Access on September 16, 2025. The signature Flick-It controls, core physics, and the free-to-play launch drew massive attention to the game. As a result, it amassed over 15 million players within just three weeks of launch.
However, the launch was also marred by server instability and other technical issues, along with a layer of bugs at first. The content depth was stretched thin, disappointing fans who expected more. However, with the release of Season 1, those concerns will hopefully be addressed.
Some players appreciate the always-online open-world multiplayer, while others argue that it lacks the DNA that made the old games so special. It’s less about structured sessions now; it’s just “Here’s your deck, here’s an endless playground, go wild”.
Let’s not forget that the EA’s roadmap promises seasonal content and updates over the first year in Early Access. It honestly seems like a very promising game, but it’s too soon to call it a true sequel.
Give it another year or two, and who knows? Maybe it’ll take off and top the rankings. I mean, it does have the potential after all.
3. Skate 1 (2007)
EA’s Skate 1 was the title that kicked the door down. It flipped the language of skateboarding games. Gone were the days of Tony Hawk’s button-mashing combos, and the Flick-It system was introduced. Suddenly, you were flicking analog sticks that mimicked actual footwork.
Adding on that low, kind of cinematic camera angle that made tricks feel realistic. It just oozed style and realism like no other skateboarding game had ever managed before.
Was it flawless? Not exactly. I mean, sometimes missions felt like someone hurried them off in a rush. But San Vanelona had this weird charm, and the way the controls demanded actual skill made every clean line feel earned.
Skate (2007) holds a significant part in building the series’ legacy and cult-like following. Honestly? It walked so the others could run. Critics praised it for innovation, and even to this day, it remains the favorite among many because of its raw, no-nonsense vibe.
2. Skate 3 (2010)
If Skate 1 was the wild revolutionary one, Skate 3 is where the party was at. It doubled down on all the fun, social, and online features. Forget the gritty, urban jungles: Port Carverton traded it all for a much vibrant and cleaner city.
Sure, some fans preferred the dark, moody vibe, but honestly? The shift away from that grim atmosphere opened the doors to creativity.
Skate 3 brought way smoother controls, ridiculous tricks than ever, and the online functionality? Simply stole the show. Especially co-op and challenges. The game just begged you to mess around, no pressure, and no weird skill gatekeeping, just pure fun.
It wasn’t just skating anymore; it was this era of endless goofy sessions with your crew, chilling in community parks, and maybe even building your own playgrounds.
That’s probably why even years later, its popularity blew up through YouTube and Twitch and got a bunch of player interest. It’s easy to see why, I mean, Skate 3 is arguably the most replayable, no-brainer fun entry in the series. Hence, a fan-favorite among many.
1. Skate 2 (2009)
Skate 2 was the epitome of skateboarding games at its time. You know how sequels usually fumble or go all “more is better” and lose the plot? Not this one. It just nailed that sweet spot of tight, improved gameplay and a stronger identity than the first one without losing its soul.
The rebuilt San Vanelona in Skate 2 felt something out of a skater’s playground, alive and layered. You got all these nooks, sketchy rails, and funky lines; all the stuff that made you wanna try, fail, and try again. The introduction of walking/off-board movement and movable objects was also praised.
The physics in this game were realistic enough to make you wince at a bail, but not so harsh that you rage-quit. The balance of all is what makes Skate 2 stand out; it didn’t lean too much into online sandboxing like Skate 3.
It didn’t carry the clunkiness and toughness of the first game either. It just lands in that perfect zone, a little structure to keep you engaged, but enough freedom to mess around and make your own fun.
Many fans who’ve stuck around since the beginning land on the same conclusion: Skate 2 is where the series peaked. There’s no arguing here.
What’s Next?
EA’s Skate series actually grew up with the people playing it. Skate 1 was the foundation, the intro to a new realm of skateboarding. Skate 2 came in and refined everything, perfecting it. Then Skate 3? Opened the floodgates for everyone to hop in and have a blast.
Now, Skate 4 is trying to shake it all up and reinvent it for the modern era. Will it be a massive success or a potential waste? That remains to be seen, but honestly? You can still feel that spark that made the older games so special.
