Skate 3is one of the most satisfying skating experiences available in the video game medium. Not only doesSkate 3continue with its unique analog stick-based trick scheme, it also adds a ton of features not included in previous titles, including online multiplayer.
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With its inclusion in the most recent Xbox Game Pass update, new players are experiencingthe world of theSkateseriesfor the first time. However, it’s a bit different than other skating games in a lot of ways. Thus, it’s best for completely new players to spend some time getting used to the game’s unique (but very intuitive) control scheme.
Updated June 11, 2025 by Erik Petrovich:Despite being an 11-year-old game, Skate 3 proves time and time again to be the best take on the skateboarding genre that video gaming has ever seen. Its control scheme feels realistic without taking away a player’s ability to piece together intricate and impressive combos, and its expansive open world gives plenty of places to explore without feeling repetitive. Its inclusion in Xbox Game Pass makes it more available than ever before, though it’s still a hard game to find if you prefer physical copies over digital ones. Skate 3 is a game every gamer should play at least once – it’s the ultimate “easy to learn, hard to master” skating experience, which makes it much, much more satisfying than its contemporaries.
13Where To Play Skate 3
Skate 3is a somewhat difficult game to play in the 2020’s, as it was released more than a decade ago on no-longer-supported systems and was never ported or remastered for modern consoles (or for PC).
One way to playSkate 3is to look for a physical copy of the game at your local game resale store, located in theXbox 360orPlayStation 3sections. A copy ofSkate 3on the Xbox 360 can be played on either the Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S consoles with no issues, while a copy of the game for PlayStation 3 can only be played on PlayStation 4 consoles. The game wasnever ported to PC(though certain emulators can get it running, to a degree). The game isincluded in the Xbox Game Pass, or can be purchased from theMicrosoft store for digital download.
12The In-Game Trick Guide Is A Great Tutorial
The number one best thing aSkate 3player can do to learn difficult manoeuvres is to use the Trick Guide. This option in the paused trick menu shows a looping full-motion video recap of the selected trick in a simple stage, and is intended to show offexactlyhow to pull off the trick with more than a simple text description.
The video Trick Guide is included in everySkategame and is a great way for new players to see where they are going wrong. Compare and contrast your thumbstick flicks and board movements to the full-motion video, make changes, and you’ll master the most difficult tricks in no time. Plus, there’s a Trick Guide for everything in the game, from Ollies to near-impossible flips and everything in between.
11Get Used To Skate’s Unique Control Scheme
TheSkateseries uses theright analog stickof the controller for just about every trick in the game aside from turning in the air. From performing a simple Ollie to pulling off the more complex Front Flip, it’s essential to get used to using analog stick inputs for the majority of the game.
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Other famous skating games, likeTony Hawk’s Pro Skater, simply ask the player to point their movement stick in a direction and press a button associated with a style of trick; for example, using X for flips or Y for grabs. InSkate 3, though, all of this is done with careful and precise movement of the thumbstick.
10Play Career Mode For Basic Tutorials
The Career Mode ofSkate 3is arguably the least interesting part of the game, but it’s essential for new players. It teaches the basics of how toget around theSkate 3world, as well as offering more advanced tutorials that cover expert maneuvers.
Players can alsoaccess tutorials through their in-game menu screen. Selecting one will bring them to an area where they are taught the move and asked to replicate it, differing with different tutorials. There are even tutorials for mini-games and other activities, so it’s well worth a look.
9Spend Time Exploring The World…
The worst thing that someone new toSkate 3can do is follow the story for too long. There’s so much world to explore and so many different areas where one can spend hours setting up the perfect trick. It’s just not worth it to speedrun the main campaign.
The world map also features a number of special activities that pop up, such as contests. These are worth tracking down for their rewards, too.
8…And Find Good Spots For Lines
The most fun thing to do inSkate 3is to spend time trying to pull off the perfect combo. These are lines of tricks strung together in a spot, with the perfect set of obstacles and features to improve the player’s point total.
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Every player has their own favorite spots.Players can save these withSkate 3’s spawn location saving system, making repeat attempts much easier to pull off. They can catalogue these spots, too, making eventual returns onbooting the game up againeasier too.
7Remember To String Tricks Together With Manuals
Manuals inSkate 3are essential to pulling off massive points with a gigantic combo. There’s no way to string together a flip to the ground and into another flip off of a different ramp without including a manual in between both tricks.
Points aren’t added to the combo multiplier if they aren’t done consecutively. Be sure toinclude a manual in the rotation by very slightly pulling the right analog stick back, but not so much that it triggers an Ollie. Keep balancing until the player is ready to jump into the next trick.
6Don’t Try Big Tricks On Small Ramps
It might seem like a good photo opportunity to attempt a huge trick off of a small ramp (or off of an object that doesn’t give the player much airtime). In fact, it’s almost always a disaster, unless the player knows exactly what they’re doing in the air.
Spend time practicing complex grabs and flips on large ramps that give plenty of time for mistakes. When one has three seconds in the air as opposed to one, tricks are a lot easier and a lot more satisfying. With some practice, though, it can be fun topush the game to its limits.
5Check The Board’s Trucks & Wheels…
TheSkate 3menu has a few options for specific customizations, such as the tightness of the board’s trucks and the hardness of the wheels.Tighter trucks will make turning harder but landing easier, whileharder wheels make for speedier and smoother straights.
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Having loose trucks makes it much easier to maneuver at the cost of landing; meanwhile, less hard wheels make things a little spongier. Play around with the settings to figure out what’s most comfortable.
4…As Well As The Character’s Stance and Posture
A character’s stance can either beRegular or Goofy, and their posture can beLoose or Aggressive.Ultimately, these settings do not affect a player’s ability to pull off tricks; they just affect animations and how the playerlookswhen pulling off tricks.
At its core, it’s just a matter of personal preference. Still, it can be nice for players to see their in-game character skating the way they personally would in real life.
