THPS3 sits in the perfect spot as far as the franchise and other skateboarding games. It improved several aspects over the first two games by naturally being released in the next generation of systems versus its predecessors (such as graphics, sound, and presentation) and by introducing key gameplay components such as adding the revert move to chain vertical tricks and combos into manuals and horizontal/street tricks. While it's true that TH games that followed introduced new gameplay components, ideas, and improved graphically and presentation-wise, THPS3 found the perfect balance between gameplay, presentation, and level design making this my favorite game of the series by far.