Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 brings two more classics into the modern era with a clean, upgraded look. Following the success of 2020’s Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 remaster, this latest collection picks up right where that one left off. The levels, the music, and the fast arcade flow are back. Whether you’re chasing high scores, hunting down collectibles, or just skating around, there’s plenty to do.
I still remember my late-night sessions with these games when they first came out. I’d start playing after work, planning to skate for a few minutes, and suddenly realize hours had passed. Something about the combos, the chaos, and that early-2000s soundtrack kept pulling me back in. This new remaster brought that same rhythm back almost instantly.
With Iron Galaxy taking over from Vicarious Visions, there were questions about how well these two games would be handled. But what we get here is a solid, if not always perfect, celebration of the original THPS era. From classic skaters to unlockable gear, there’s a deep well of content that delivers that familiar rush.
Let’s drop into the half-pipe and see how well Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 holds up today.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 details
Platform(s): Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC
Developer(s): Iron Galaxy
Publisher(s): Activision
Genre: Sports
Modes: Single-player, multiplayer
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
Skate culture, real spots, and that early-2000s energy
There’s no real story in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4, but it does not need one. The setting is the story—as each level feels like a real place. It’s all about movement, music, and getting into a rhythm. The energy, part rebellious and part ridiculous, is still baked into every corner of the game.
Whether you’re skating through an airport, college campus, or cruise ship, the vibe leans into early-2000s skate culture. From graffiti-covered walls to NPCs yelling as you ollie past, every level is built to feel like a spot where you’d want to land a sick combo or just hang out and skate.
The two-minute timer returns for most levels, but you can also free skate or adjust the time in the options. Levels are packed with little details that support both exploration and flow. Rails, ramps, gaps, and collectibles are placed to push you into movement. Each location doubles as a playground and a puzzle, rewarding you for learning every corner.
One thing I noticed right away was how much easier the levels are to read now. On PlayStation, I remember crashing into objects I couldn’t even see coming. Skating through the Foundry or Suburbia now feels smoother, like the layouts finally caught up to how they were always meant to play. The game also includes three brand new levels: Waterpark, Movie Studio, and Pinball. Each one fits surprisingly well with the rest of the lineup. I kept going back to Waterpark just to mess around. It’s not from the original games, but it feels like it could have been.
Tight controls, classic flow, and that one more run feeling
The core gameplay hasn’t changed, and that’s a good thing. You build combos by stringing together grabs, flips, manuals, reverts, and grinds. The controls are still tight and responsive, letting you pull off huge lines with just a bit of practice. It’s arcade skating through and through. It’s easy to learn, but tricky to master.
Everything you remember from the original gameplay loop is here. You’ve got two-minute runs packed with goals, collectibles, gaps, and stat boosts. Each level pushes you to experiment. You’ll be grinding rooftops one minute and launching off a kicker ramp the next. Manualing between rails and trying not to bail becomes second nature after a while.
One of the most satisfying moments I had came during the Cruise Ship level. I was down to the final few seconds, trailing just under the Pro Score. I reversed off a wall, hit a quick manual, and somehow linked a grind across two rails into a melon grab before time ran out. That last-second combo was enough to push me past the goal, and I let out a quick cheer without even thinking. It’s that kind of rush that still makes this series feel special.
There’s more here than just the standard Career mode. You can turn on cheats like perfect balance or remove the timer completely. There are also Pro goals for each level after you finish the basics, giving you harder challenges to chase. If you just want to skate, you can do that too. The game doesn’t punish you for messing around. It actually encourages it.
Visual upgrades, performance gains, and some skater wobble
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 looks and runs great, keeping the same visual style from Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 while making everything easier to read. The upgraded lighting and sharper detail give each level more personality, from the steam in the Foundry to the sunset glow in Los Angeles. You can spot rails, gaps, and landing zones more easily, which helps when lining up combos. Performance is solid too. I didn’t notice any frame drops, even when the screen got busy.
Skater animations are solid, but the faces can feel off. Some of the real-world skaters look a bit stiff, especially in the menus or intro sequences. It’s not a dealbreaker, but you’ll probably notice it if you’re familiar with the roster. Custom skaters don’t look much better. The options are limited, and everyone ends up looking a bit too similar. That part could’ve used more attention.
Music plays a big role in these games, and this is where things feel uneven. Only about ten tracks from the original THPS 3 and 4 return, while the rest of the soundtrack is filled in with new picks. There’s a decent variety of punk, rap, metal, and alternative tracks, and a few do stand out. But if you grew up grinding through Suburbia to Spokesman or blasting through the Airport with Less Than Jake, the missing songs are hard to ignore. A few returning artists like CKY and Motorhead help a bit, but the overall sound just doesn’t hit the same. You can turn tracks off in the settings or use a stream-safe playlist, but it’s still disappointing to see so many legacy tracks left out.
Classic modes, cross-play, and casual chaos
Multiplayer in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 brings back the classics and adds a few new options. You can go online across PlayStation, Xbox, PC, and Nintendo with full cross-play support. It’s easy to hop in, whether you’re chasing top scores or just looking to mess around with friends.
The expected modes are here. Trick Attack, Combo Mambo, Score Challenge, and H-O-R-S-E all make a return. Each one focuses on short sessions where you try to land the biggest trick line or beat someone else’s combo. Graffiti mode is still a blast. You claim parts of the map by landing tricks on them, and if someone pulls off a better combo in that spot, they take it from you. It turns into a playful fight for control.
Some of the new modes add a nice change of pace. Hawk Mode has you placing letters around the map while others try to collect them. It feels light but competitive, and it helps you learn each level’s layout. Public Free Skate removes the timer completely, letting you relax and skate alongside others without any pressure.
If you’re a longtime fan, these modes will feel just right. If you’re new, they offer space to practice and have fun without feeling overwhelmed. Not every match is about pulling off a perfect combo. Sometimes it’s about wiping out and laughing as someone lands a huge trick right after.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 is a fun throwback that doesn’t stick every landing
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 lands most of its tricks, even if it doesn’t catch quite as much air as the last remaster. The core gameplay is still as smooth and satisfying as ever. Tricks flow into each other, goals come fast, and the gameplay loop is built to keep you coming back for just one more run. That part still works better than almost any arcade sports game out there.
There’s a lot to like. The updated graphics look sharp. Most of the levels feel better than they ever did, and the new ones don’t feel out of place. Custom parks are easier to build now, and multiplayer has enough variety to keep things interesting. Even if you just want to skate around casually, the game lets you play your way without forcing you into a specific mode.
Still, there are a few things that are lacking. The soundtrack misses some key tracks that helped define the originals. The create-a-skater options are limited, and the lack of THPS 4’s original goal structure might bother some fans. None of these issues break the game, but they do make it feel more like a solid expansion of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 instead of a huge step forward.
Here’s a snapshot of the pros and cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The core gameplay is smooth, fast, and still incredibly fun. | The soundtrack is missing many iconic original tracks. |
| New levels blend in naturally with the originals. | Skater faces look stiff and under-detailed. |
| Multiplayer offers a good mix of casual and competitive modes. | THPS 4’s original open-ended goal structure is gone. |
| Create-a-Park is more user-friendly than ever. |
Overall assessment of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4
Gameplay: 5/5
Graphics: 4/5
Sound: 3/5
Lasting appeal/Replayability: 4.5/5
Overall rating: 4.1/5 (82%)
Coming back to these games reminded me why I fell in love with the series in the first place. Even now, landing a late combo right as the timer hits zero still gives me that same rush. There might be a few issues with THPS 3 + 4, but it’s a great way to revisit two classics that deserved another ride.
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