Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4

Taken as its own thing, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 is an amazingly fun game that I’d recommend even to people who have no particular interest in skateboarding. Those seeking the nostalgia trip are going to have to deal with a wildly different take on Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4 and a mostly-new soundtrack, but these titles still play just as well as they always did. The fresh coat of paint is all the excuse needed to dive back in and remember what made this series one of the biggest of its era. The Nintendo Switch 2 version doesn’t have to make nearly as many compromises on the technical side as the original Switch had to with Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2. Time has been kind, and so has this port.

I had some trepidation when Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 was announced. While the 1+2 remake was excellent, Activision’s track record with the series since the mid-2000s has been spotty at best. I’m thrilled that the skateboarding in this game feels just as good as it did 20+ years ago and that this goes beyond just a simple remake, with so many fun and enjoyable post-game challenges that builds off of the foundation. Something is lost in Tony Hawk 4’s transition to the 2-minute timer, but I still had a great time saving Painter Neal from the shark in San Francisco. And the quality of the original levels Iron Galaxy made makes me hopeful for the future of the series, whether it leads to a brand new game or an attempt at remaking Tony Hawk’s Underground. Regardless of whether or not you bring nostalgic baggage for the format from the fourth game, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 is an excellent video game that will keep you kickflipping and reverting to increasingly higher scores for a long time.

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4 is a solid remake, but with design choices that will divide opinions. On one hand, it retains the magical gameplay of the series, with precise controls, infinite combos, beautifully redesigned levels, and an excellent soundtrack. On the other hand, changes to the levels from THPS4, the loss of iconic missions, and the progression structure likely leave fans less happy with the final product.

Despite the ill-advisedness of some changes, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 is an entertaining game, which successfully updates the graphics and gameplay details, although it leaves the aftertaste that “more” could have been done, especially with the soundtrack, the original THPS4 campaign and the multiplayer.

If you played THPS 3 or 4 during your teenage years, you’ll feel right at home. The gameplay remains sharp, the visuals have been tastefully updated, and the content is vast enough to keep you engaged for many hours. What it lacks in cultural context, it makes up for in sheer fun. For those looking for a solid trick-based game with quick challenges, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 delivers exactly that.

Ultimately, you already know if you’re going to like Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4. If you played and enjoyed the last remake, it’s basically an essential game on any platform. While I don’t care for the litany of customization options, the core gameplay is fantastic and the classic levels have been recreated beautifully. 3 + 4 has almost everything you’d want from a remake of Pro Skater 3 and 4.

Given the current climate in the video game industry, it’s hard to know if we’ll ever see another Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater collection. THPS 3+4 was a miracle to get made at all. This reimagining of the classic Tony Hawk games is still a joy to play, even if there have been some compromises. Now, it’s time to live in (potentially foolish) hope for a remake or remaster of Tony Hawk’s Underground!

While there’s clearly an issue with preservation, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 is still a great package, one that those who grew up with the GameCube and PlayStation 2 titles likely won’t appreciate much, but everyone who got into the series with Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 is sure to love, and hopefully, it will lead to a whole new installment.