This game is very fun, and they only minor problem I have with this game (and some other tony hawk games for that matter) is that the "bails" are a little bit violent. Why I put "Good Role Models" as a highlight is because I think Tony Hawk is a fantastic role model for kids.
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Tony Hawk's American Wasteland
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 15; suggested age 13. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Amazing skating game, amazingly bad behavior.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 13–15
The good stuff
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Educational value:
What to watch out for
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What Parents Need to Know
This review of Tony Hawk's American Wasteland was written by Jeremy Gieske
Parents need to know that this game has a strong anti-establishment attitude. Players steal signature items from places around L.A. to build the ultimate skate park, running from the cops and security in order to do so. Players make cash by spray painting graffiti on walls. In addition, players can hit each other with skateboards, and the game's outrageous moves lead to spectacular crashes, complete with blood. Players can deck themselves out with name-brand skate boarding clothes and equipment, such as Vans. Finally, the game is online enabled (except for GameCube version), which means players can run into unpredictable language and behavior.
Families Can Talk About
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- Families can talk about why many games put the player on the other side of the law. Does this increase the appeal? Do you think this glamorizes bad behavior? Do you think games like this increase real life pranks and vandalism?
More on Tony Hawk's American Wasteland
What’s the Story?
TONY HAWK: AMERICAN WASTELAND offers players several modes of play. In story mode, players take on the role of a country bumpkin, just arrived in L.A. and attempting to make it big on the skateboarding circuit. To fit in, players have to develop a pretty serious attitude. Although the game has a tongue-in-cheek sense of humor, players often finds themselves on the wrong side of the law -- from stealing random objects for their skate park to tagging walls with graffiti in order to make some cash, to even running from the cops.
In classic mode, players face challenges, such as achieving a high score within a set amount of time. And a multiplayer mode allows players to face off against one another in variety of small games, such as trick attack and king of the hill. There are several BMX bike missions mixing things up. And a map editor is included so players can make their own skate park designs.
CloseIs It Any Good?
A long string of successes propelled the Tony Hawk series of skateboarding games into a mega-franchise. Packed to the half-pipe with goodies, Tony Hawk: American Wasteland is perhaps the best effort in years. The skating is fantastic, and several modes of play keep players engaged, from a solid story mode to exciting online play.
Overall the game proves, hands down, it is the best skateboarding game out there. Parents may cringe over some of the bad behavior, but teens will love the outrageous tricks, the wide-open world to explore, and the first-class gameplay that they have come to expect from Tony Hawk games.
ClosePublisher’s Details
Released on 12/01/2005, price $49.99, not online enabled
ESRB rating: T
ESRB rating: T
Our Members Say
See all 24 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
- Easy to play
Pretty good for every one!
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give itMy concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
- Easy to play
Best Tony Hawk Game Yet
A character is skimpily dressed . Some very mild cussing . Extremely easy to play though . You do have to steal things from the city and take it to your skate ranch . One thing to steal is a " naked lady statue " .
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
The falls are a bit hard to take
Fun game, as long as your kid understands that some of the "bad" behaviour is not to be copied. I personally found the falls hard to watch, but I'm squeamish. You can do some awesome tricks and it's fun to watch your kids' friends on-line. Know your kid.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
Awsome
I love this game. It is very fun and has a awsome story mode. The worst thing in this game is breaking things in the city for the skate ranch
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
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