because it is a very good game

was it the playstation version that was better?

Better than what? The game boy color version? If that's the case, than no, the game boy color version is far superior to the PlayStation. However, the N64 version is by far the best, so yes, it is vastly better.

am i playing it wrong idk what i'm supposed to do

you're supposed to have fun by doing tricks and listening to the good music and stuff. You do the things the tasks that the game says to do and learn how to do super crazy stuff and it's lots of fun to do. It's a collection of simple and perfect pleasures. If you don't get it from the outset, this game probably isn't for you.

that all just sounds so mind numbingly simple when put on paper imo
i might give it another shot tho, maybe change my opinion

from Tony hawk 4 onward they take on a different structure. There's no time limit you just like skate around and talk to people to do stuff. I don't like it all that much but apparently the games following Tony hawk 4 improve it greatly. Anyways if you can't get the hang of it maybe try those ones and come back to the first three

aight