REVIEW: ‘Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3 + 4’ Gives Old Games New Life

The name Tony Hawk has been synonymous with skateboarding since the 1980s. The star skateboarder spawned a line of video games starting in 1999, and the series has been given new life thanks to new remasters. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 and 4 is the next remaster that makes a few tweaks to bring new life to older games, allowing both new and returning audiences to enjoy them.

It only takes a few button presses to get into the action in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 and 4 . Campaign modes from both Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4 are available to play, and players can choose either one right away. Each campaign features a selection of maps with various timed objectives to complete, unlocking the next one in the skate tour.

This setup is identical to that in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2, ensuring continuity across the franchise. This change also involves the removal of individual mission objective selection in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4, streamlining the process. However, the familiarity across the different games does make it more accessible, and the overall objectives remain the same. Variety in game types would have been great, but the differences between the maps and the challenges on them do provide plenty of variance.

In-game mods can increase the amount of time players have, which will be particularly helpful for less experienced players. The base skate tour mode only allows two minutes, but it can be expanded to up to 60. There are also options to make grinding balance and landing tricks easier. These options are entirely optional, but they enhance the game’s accessibility for players. 

All the classic maps are back, plus more in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 and 4.

All of the classic maps, like Airport and Alcatraz, are back, but Iron Galaxy brought in a few new maps as well. Movie Studio, Waterpark, and Pinball are all new creations that fit the vibe of the original maps. Newcomers won’t be able to see the difference thanks to how well the old maps are refreshed and how well-crafted the new locations are. 

The skating itself is the best it has ever been. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 and 4 is even smoother and more refined than its predecessor, making the skating action as lifelike as possible. Landing tricks feel fluid, and although it takes a while to master, it is pretty simple to pick up and play. There are special tricks that can be unlocked and assigned to skaters as well, scoring significantly more points than your average trick.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 and 4 encourages players to try to clear new gaps or land new tricks by making it feel and look simple to do. The movement is flawless, making success feel great and keeping failure from being too punishing. The fact that it is easy to learn and challenging to master makes it accessible to both new players and those looking to push the boundaries of what is possible.

Creating your own skater is where the customization options shine.

Players can choose to either create their own skater or play as one of over 30 old-school and current skateboarding icons. Real-life skaters like Tony Hawk and Yuto Horigome have stats that mirror the peaks of their careers, with some specializing in specific styles. There are also limited customization options, such as different outfits and skateboards, but these options are minimal.

Creating your own skater is where the customization options shine. The character creator is quite in-depth, allowing players to develop their skater’s look to suit their preferences. From there, hundreds of clothing and skateboard customization options are unlocked either through the in-game store with money earned on tour or by completing specific challenges. 

It feels great to unlock a new grip tape theme or clothing option, and it’s easy to get lost while exploring the various options. The best part of all of this is that in-game money can only be earned in-game, so there isn’t a nefarious money-grab situation urging players to spend real cash on appearance items.

Online multiplayer in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 and 4  is arguably the most enjoyable part. Matchmaking is quick, and loading between game mode types is smooth sailing. There are objective-based modes like score challenge and graffiti, but there is also the option to just free skate around your favorite maps. 

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 and 4 add a new HAWK multiplayer game mode.

The standout is the new HAWK game mode. In HAWK mode, players hide HAWK letters around the map, and then their opponent has a limited amount of time to find them all before the timer runs out. It is the online version of the SKATE objective in the skate tours, but it encourages players to be creative with how they place their letters. This mode is the most replayable because every setup is unique, offering countless options to try out.

Create-A-Park is back and better than ever in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 and 4. All of the skate park items are available right away, which means players don’t have to grind out the single-player story to unlock them. Players can also add goals to their created park, making the maps even more challenging and exciting. These changes should result in a significantly larger pool of created maps available to explore, while also allowing players to flex their creativity for the world to enjoy.

Visually, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 and 4 is absolutely stunning. The remastered visuals make old maps feel brand new, and the increased fidelity is truly mesmerising. The only downside I noticed was some minor issues in performance mode. There is a slight amount of screen tearing, but it is hardly noticeable. It is certainly worth bearing with to enjoy high-framerate gameplay, and the visual downgrade is minimal.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 and 4 is another example of how to breathe new life into a classic without losing touch with what makes the originals great. There is plenty of replay value thanks to online mode and important improvements to the Create-A-Park mode.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 releases July 11th on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2.