Skate It is set between the events of Skate and Skate 2 in San Vanelona, the same fictional city as the original game, although several earthquakes have caused widespread damage and a mass evacuation of the city, leaving the player free to skate alone and undisturbed. They will, however, be able to travel to other cities in the world later in the game,[2] which are unaffected by the disaster (London, Barcelona, Paris, Shanghai, San Francisco and Rio de Janeiro). Skate It is the only game in the series to not feature the main protagonist of the series, as this is set during the protagonist's incarceration explained in Skate 2.
Because the Nintendo DS and Wii[a] lack the dual analog sticks that were used for control in the original game, the controls for Skate It were redesigned to take advantage of each platform's unique hardware. For example, the Wii version utilizes the motion sensing of the Wii Remote to control the player's skateboard, with gestures used to perform tricks, while the Nintendo DS version features stylus and touchscreen control. The Wii version also features support for the Wii Balance Board[3][4] and also allows players to connect a Nunchuk and use its analog stick for more precise steering and spinning in the air.[5]