Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4 Lands a Perfect Combo of Nostalgia and Innovation

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 is a full remake of the third and fourth games in the popular skateboarding series. Developed by Iron Galaxy and published by Activision, the game will be released on July 8. It follows the format of the earlier Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2 remake, keeping the same controls, goals, and time-based structure, but with updated graphics, more skaters, and a new original level called Waterpark.

The original games, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 and 4, were released in 2001 and 2002 for PlayStation 2. Many players still consider them the best in the series because of their level design and gameplay systems. In this remake, classic maps from both games are included. 

From THPS 3, players can revisit Foundry, Canada, Rio, Suburbia, and Los Angeles. From THPS 4, College, San Francisco, and Alcatraz return. Every level has been rebuilt with updated visuals and small layout changes to improve flow and gameplay. For example, ramps and rails have been adjusted to make combo lines easier or harder, depending on the situation.

One major change in this remake is that the two-minute timer is now used for every level, even those from THPS 4. In the original THPS 4, players completed open-ended missions by talking to NPCs scattered around the level. Iron Galaxy replaced this with the older, simpler system of completing goals within a time limit. While longtime fans might prefer the original mission system, the timed goals bring consistency across all maps. 

Players who want more control over their experience can adjust the timer to five minutes, ten minutes, or even an hour, which makes it much easier to complete goals without feeling rushed. The game also includes settings to adjust speed, prevent bails after failed tricks, and make balancing during manuals simpler. These options make the game more accessible and enjoyable for both new players and those returning to the series.

The biggest addition in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 is Waterpark, a brand-new level created by Iron Galaxy. This is the only original map in the game, and it’s also the largest. According to director Kurt Tillmanns, if built to scale in real life, the park would be visible from space. Waterpark was inspired by recent skateboarding videos showing skaters riding in abandoned water parks, using empty pools and slides to pull off tricks. The developers took that idea and designed a level filled with rails, loops, and open areas for long combos.

The layout of the Waterpark includes slides, giant funnels, and multiple lines to explore. One of the hardest parts of development was designing the SKATE letter collection path, which went through several versions before being finalized. The level fits in so well with the rest of the game that some playtesters believed it was part of THPS 4. According to the developers, the goal was simple: to make the new level feel like it belonged in the original lineup.

In terms of characters, most of the original skaters return, along with some new faces. One of the standout additions is Chloe Covell, a 14-year-old Australian skateboarder who competed in the Olympics. Her father was a teenager when THPS 3 came out, which shows how long the series has been around. Including more female skaters is a step toward better representation, and it reflects the current skateboarding scene.

The soundtrack combines old songs from the original games with new tracks from modern artists. Songs by Iron Maiden and Adolescents return, while new additions include Lupe Fiasco’s “Kick, Push,” King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, 100 Gecs, Fontaines D.C., and Idles. For streamers, there’s also a Streamer Mode featuring original music by Logan Byers. 

Gameplay stays true to the series. Players grind rails, link tricks, and chase high scores using the familiar control system. Most players who grew up with the original games will find the controls easy to remember. Within minutes, it becomes second nature again. The remake also supports modifiers like perfect balance and perfect manual, which were part of the original games. Essentially, they help players practice and enjoy longer runs without constantly failing.

As expected, changes were made to fit modern standards. For example, in the Alcatraz level, players no longer push tourists off the edge to complete goals. Instead, they photobomb them. Similarly, it’s unlikely the airport level will return to its pre-9/11 version, which originally featured a terrorist scenario. In the released game, that was changed to include pickpockets, and it’s expected to stay that way.

One concern during the preview was motion sickness. Players have reported that the camera movement made them dizzy. The demo didn’t have full accessibility options, but developers may address this before release. While it didn’t affect every player, it’s something to consider, especially for those sensitive to motion effects.

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