Like most other games in the series, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 5 oriented its gameplay to classic arcade games. The goal of most modes of the game is to achieve a high score or collect certain objects. As with previous Pro Skater games, the game does not feature a story. To score, the player has to successfully perform and combine aerials, flips, grinds, lips, and manuals, with successful executions adding to the player's score. The point value of the trick is based on time maintained, degrees rotated, number of tricks performed in sequence, performing tricks on specific landmarks on the map, and the number of times the tricks have been used. Successful tricks also add to the player's special meter, which, once full, allows for the execution of special tricks which are worth considerably more than normal tricks. Bails (falling off the skateboard due to poor landing) attain no points for the attempted trick and reset the special bar to empty. The controls of the game deviate to a degree from previous games in the series, omitting features such as switching grind tricks in the same sequence, flatland tricks, the ability to get off the board, climb, slow time, or drive vehicles. Entirely new controls include the ability to stomp to the ground mid-air to reach certain rails or destroy objects. Also, each level features a unique power-up, such as a double jump, gigantism, or a burning or electric skateboard.
Levels in the game are all new to the series, although most are derivative of popular levels featured in earlier entries, with the exception of The Berrics, based on the real-life skatepark of the same name. Pro Skater 5 features a total of ten levels, albeit only seven were available at launch, with the other three being added with post-release patches.[8] Furthermore, the game features the ability to create custom skate parks, as was the case with most previous entries.[9]