Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 Review for PlayStation 5

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 Review

I never thought I’d see the day. When Vicarious Visions was absorbed into Blizzard, I figured “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4” would forever be a dream deferred. But here we are, Iron Galaxy took up the board, pushed off from the solid foundation laid by the “1 + 2” remake, and actually brought this thing across the finish line. And while it’s not without a few chipped edges, I’ve been absolutely glued to it.

Let’s start with the good stuff: the game feels fantastic. The controls are buttery smooth, the handling is as tight and responsive as ever, and the flow of movement still captures that satisfying loop of chaining tricks and hunting down every last collectible. Whether you’re a longtime fan or skating in for the first time, it’s easy to pick up and start pulling off combos that make you feel like a legend. Visually, it’s gorgeous. The remade parks, both the old favorites from “Pro Skater 3” and “Pro Skater 4,” look incredible in 4K. There’s a real sense of place to each location, and the way everything’s been visually reinterpreted with modern tech is genuinely impressive. Even returning skaters have aged up to reflect their current appearances, which is a nice touch of authenticity.

Multiplayer is back and better than ever. With cross-platform support for up to eight players, it’s never been easier to jump into trick attack, graffiti, or tag modes with friends. You can mix in returning classics with brand-new multiplayer goals, and it works surprisingly well as both a nostalgia trip and a fun online hangout. The expanded Create-A-Skater and Create-A-Park tools are deeper, even if not perfect. You can now make custom goals for your parks and share them with others, finally giving a real reason to dive into community creations. Unfortunately, the Create-A-Skater system feels like it was left behind. The customization options are oddly limited compared to what we had two decades ago, which feels like a huge missed opportunity.

I’ll be honest, the soundtrack situation stings. Only about ten tracks from the original games made it into this version, and those soundtracks were legendary. Songs like “Ace of Spades” or “TNT” didn’t just define the series; they defined a generation. I get that licensing is a mess, but it’s hard not to feel the absence. I’m just thankful “96 Quite Bitter Beings” made the cut, or else I would have rioted. That said, they’ve packed in a healthy number of new tracks that still carry that THPS energy. It’s not the same, but it still works. Now for the sore spots. While “1 + 2” felt like a nearly perfect love letter, “3 + 4” makes a few changes that are harder to justify. Several levels have been altered or stripped down in ways that feel like they sap their original soul. Ollie the Magic Bum is gone from college. Kona’s pigeons are MIA, as well as the Neversoft girls, who have vanished from the Cruise Ship level. It’s unclear if these changes were made to avoid controversy or due to time constraints, but either way, especially from a purist like me, it leaves a mark.

Worse still, “Pro Skater 4” no longer retains its open-world structure. It’s been reconfigured into the more traditional two-minute time attack format, which simplifies things but also loses what made the fourth game feel different. Some of the original quirky, character-driven goals, like saving the sea lion guy in San Francisco, are just gone. Whole levels like Carnival and Chicago didn’t even make the cut. Even with these omissions, there’s still a mountain of content here. The new Pro Goals and Solo Tours offer real reasons to keep pushing forward, with tougher challenges and unlockable content that rewards skill and exploration. The THPS3 levels, in particular, shine thanks to how well their layouts mesh with the remastered mechanics.

Some fans have been vocal in their disappointment, and I get it. I miss the weird stuff too. But the idea that this remake has “lost its soul” feels overblown. There’s still plenty of fun to be had here, with tons of goals, new maps, fresh challenges, and enough flexibility to let you play how you want. Don’t like the two-minute limit? Just crank the timer to 60 minutes and explore at your own pace. Ultimately, “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4” nails the most important part: it’s fun. It’s still that same addictive blend of arcade energy and precise mechanics, wrapped in a slick visual package with just enough new content to feel fresh. It’s not a perfect recreation, especially for fans who adored every detail of THPS4’s structure, but it’s a worthy addition to the series nonetheless. I’ll be chipping away at those challenges for a long time and loving every bail, grind, and wallride along the way.

8.5/10

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Nick Navarro

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Gaming since I was given an original Nintendo as a kid. I love great storytelling and unique ingenuity. When both collide in a single game, I'm a happy gamer. Twitter/IG @NickNavarro87

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