Tony Hawk's American Wasteland

 GameCube
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 26
  3. Negative: 1 out of 26
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. BonusStage
    73
    The thought of pulling a combo across an entire city with no load times is very appealing, but unless you have perfect balance, nimble fingers, and patience, you probably won't pull it off.
  2. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    72
    Tony, you are lookin' haggard. Even though I like American Wasteland's country-boy-in-the-city story line much better than last year's World Destruction Tour's, the annual sequels will drive this franchise into the ground if publisher Activision doesn't take a break, and soon.
  3. Play Magazine
    70
    A free-play mode returns Hawk to his origins and here, the game does not disappoint one bit with its go forth and explore approach. [Dec 2005, p.66]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Kombo
    70
    A step up from last year's sequel to "Underground," but it still has its problems.
  6. Gamer 2.0
    70
    With the braindead goals, non-charismatic cast of characters, and relatively limited level list, the game is unfortunately relegated to rental status, with its best points making us reminiscent of the days when you actually had to be good to beat a Tony Hawk game.
  7. Game Revolution
    67
    Kudos to Neversoft and Activision for creating an amazing game, the sole competitor in its self-created genre, and curses upon them for distilling it to the point of absurdity.
  8. Edge Magazine
    60
    The title is just painfully apt: never has a free-roaming structure brought so little to improve the quality of a game's world. The mooted open-ended environments of Tony Hawk's American Wasteland feel like a fallacy, a bleak repackaging for hocking the game to a jaded audience. [Dec 2005, p.107]
    All this publication's reviews
  9. games(TM)
    60
    When only a couple of challenges require you to break the million point barrier, only the weakest players will have trouble acing the game in hours. [Christmas 2005, p.107]
    All this publication's reviews

Awards & Rankings

23
#23 Best GameCube Game of 2005
24
#24 Most Discussed GameCube Game of 2005

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 20 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 20
  3. Negative: 2 out of 20
  1. TheSpacecat
    Feb 28, 2016
    5
    It's okay I guess... The controls are a bit wonky and It's more fun to just run around, explore, and do tricks rather than actually play theIt's okay I guess... The controls are a bit wonky and It's more fun to just run around, explore, and do tricks rather than actually play the game. Can only recomend to Tony Hawk fans.… Full Review »
  2. RyanM.
    Jan 23, 2006
    7
    When the greatest slogan or advertising ploy with this game is the fact it has no laod times, which is completely falso due to the excessive When the greatest slogan or advertising ploy with this game is the fact it has no laod times, which is completely falso due to the excessive lagging when entering and exiting areas, something ahs gone terribly array. The game is Tony hawk, and truly, nothing else has to be said. I must comment on a few "new" aspects, for they mix up the gameplay a bit. The bike has substantially different controls, which could be rewarding for those willing to give it time. A few new tricks there, various levels which look way too similar, and a slew of lame unlockable skaters, plague this game. The classic mode, surprisingly enough, is actually a sclaed down version of what we saw in the previous 5-6 entries. There are less levels and the goals contain that tony hawk style, yet are way too simplistic for anyone to worry over for more than a few minutes time. Story mode is easy, even on sick, and can be completed in less than 8 hours. All in all, the game is solid. Yes, these flaws run rampant, and bring down the quality of the game, but for Tony hawk fans alike, we have taken these flaws every time and continue to buy each entry. for fans coming in to the series, start here, for lucky for you, story mode is one long and monotonous tutorial which you can take and run with. We all know and it is quite obvious, Tony Hawk needs a revitilization. As for now we have Tony Hawk American Wasteland....THUG 3 with flair.… Full Review »
  3. JonathanG.
    Dec 31, 2005
    8
    Fun but I feel as though it is time to stop making Tony Hawk games. Either that or change the storyline compley I mean to where it is almost Fun but I feel as though it is time to stop making Tony Hawk games. Either that or change the storyline compley I mean to where it is almost uncomparable to other THUG or THAW.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »