Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 Review (Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S & PC)

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series is legendary. For many, it’s the skateboarding game that defined a generation, mixing fun tricks, cool music, and vibrant levels that kept us coming back for more. The original THPS3 and THPS4 games pushed the boundaries of what skateboarding games could be, adding exciting new mechanics and unforgettable moments.

THPS3 was a game-changer, introducing reverts and manuals, making combos longer and smoother. It was also the first in the series to feature online play, giving players the ability to compete against each other in a new, exciting way. Meanwhile, THPS4 took things even further by ditching the time limits and giving players a more open-world feel. 

Now, when Iron Galaxy announced the remakes of THPS3 and THPS4 in 2025, expectations were sky-high. Fans hoped for updated graphics, smoother gameplay, and a fresh, modern take on the classics. After the success of the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2 remake, it seemed like a sure thing. So, let’s take a closer look at Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 and see if it hits the mark.

Reuniting the Crew

One of the standout features of the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series has always been the multiplayer experience. In the original THPS3 and THPS4, players could engage in competitive modes with friends, battling for high scores and executing sick tricks in various levels. The remake brings an exciting, modern twist to the multiplayer experience by introducing cross-platform online multiplayer, allowing players to join forces or compete with friends no matter the platform they’re on. Whether you’re on PlayStation, Xbox, or PC, the cross-platform feature ensures a wider, more connected THPS community.

In the remake, players can join forces with up to eight others in various game modes. Notably, this makes it much easier to connect with friends, challenge others, and enjoy the competitive aspect of this sports game. The matchmaking is smooth, and the ability to challenge players across different systems makes the game accessible to a broader audience. It’s a great addition, and one that helps breathe new life into the multiplayer modes.

From Blocky to Realistic

One of the most noticeable upgrades in the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 remake is the improved character models. The original games featured basic, blocky designs with lower poly counts and simpler textures. While they were cutting-edge for their time, these character models now feel quite dated. In contrast, the remake boasts much more detailed models with higher poly counts and sophisticated textures. The skaters look far more lifelike thanks to better hair textures and improved lighting effects, enhancing the overall realism of the game.

The remake also introduces several new visual effects that improve the overall look and feel of the game. Fire, water, smoke, and spark effects have all been upgraded, adding a layer of realism and excitement to the gameplay. The Foundry stage, for example, now features massive fireballs that shoot out from gas tanks. On the other hand, the rainy streets of London are enhanced with new particle effects that make the environment feel alive.

The visual enhancements in the parks are also noticeable. Every level from the original games has been recreated in 4K resolution, offering sharper and more detailed environments. The parks now feature enhanced textures, dynamic lighting, and environmental effects like particles, weather changes, and realistic shadows. Additionally, classic levels like Foundry and Skater Island look fantastic, with vibrant new effects that help bring these areas to life.

That said, while the character upgrades are noticeable, they are not necessarily groundbreaking compared to modern gaming standards. The models look similar to those in the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2 remake by Vicarious Visions, which were designed for last-gen consoles. While the level of detail is good, it doesn’t push the boundaries as much as other recent titles in the industry.

Customization Galore

Customization has always been a key feature in the Tony Hawk games, and the remake continues this tradition with expanded Create-A-Skater and Create-A-Park modes. The Create-A-Skater mode offers more options than ever before. It allows players to customize their skaters’ appearance using various outfits, accessories, and hairstyles. Ultimately, this gives players the freedom to create a skater that truly reflects their style.

The Create-A-Park mode also returns, allowing players to design their dream skate parks. With the new ability to create custom goals within your parks, this mode adds more depth and creativity. Notably, players can design challenging objectives and share them with friends. While these features increase variety, some players might find the complexity overwhelming. This is especially true if they prefer just skating without worrying about designing challenges.

Perfect Lighting

Lighting is another area where the remake excels. In the original Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater games, the lighting was basic, and many environments looked flat. With the remake, lighting has been completely overhauled, thanks to Unreal Engine’s powerful capabilities. The lighting now features more realistic reflections, enhanced volumetric lighting, and better shadow placement. It gives the environment a more dynamic feel.

For example, parks like Rio and San Francisco have had their time of day altered. They now transition from daytime to a late-evening setting with an orange glow that enhances the aesthetic. The night setting at the airport, London, and Zoo parks provides more variety and visual appeal to the courses. Ultimately, these changes make the parks look more vibrant, and the dynamic lighting effects help improve the overall visual experience.

New Game Mode

One of the most rewarding aspects of the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series has always been the variety of challenges, and the remake takes this to the next level. The introduction of New Game+ mode presents tougher objectives as players progress. It offers a fresh challenge for those who have mastered the original content. Now, here is the best thing about this mode: it encourages experimentation with different tricks, chaining long combos, and taking on high-stakes objectives. 

Additionally, the New Game+ mode ensures that the game remains engaging and challenging, pushing players to keep improving their skills. However, this increased difficulty could be overwhelming for casual players just looking for a relaxed skateboarding experience. The complex challenges might diminish the pure fun that THPS games are known for. Ultimately, it’s a feature that will likely appeal more to long-time fans than newcomers.

Alongside these new challenges, the game maintains the smooth controls that have always been a hallmark of the series. The smooth control scheme makes it easy for newbies to jump in while still offering depth for seasoned players to master. The addition of two new playable skaters, Doom Slayer and The Revenant, brings exciting new elements to the gameplay. Both come with unique outfits, skateboards, and two secret moves each. While some may miss the iconic pro skaters, these new characters add a fresh vibe and new moves, keeping the game dynamic and fun.

What’s Gone?

While the remake does a great job visually and technically, it falls short in terms of some key features. For starters, the iconic soundtrack from the original Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 is lacking. Out of the 55 songs from the original games, only 10 have made it into the remake. Surprisingly, none of the fan-favorite tracks like Wish by Alien Ant Farm, Blitzkrieg Bop by The Ramones, or TNT by AC/DC are included. Instead, a bunch of new tracks have been added, but it’s just not the same without the classic tunes that defined the original games’ vibe.

Another significant missing feature is the skater roster. While the game includes most of the original pro skaters, some beloved characters, like Mike Vallely and Jenna Jameson, are not present. This exclusion is understandable due to licensing issues, but it still feels like a missed opportunity. Furthermore, the remake also omits the fun, unlockable skaters from the original, including cross-promotional characters like Darth Maul and Jango Fett. In their place, we get new, lesser-known characters, but they don’t quite carry the same excitement.

The biggest disappointment, however, is the removal of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4’s campaign mode. Instead, the remake features a two-minute timer forcing players to rush through objectives. The levels are simplified, and many of the fun mini-games and pro goals have been removed. This removes much of the charm from the original Tony Hawk 4, making the levels feel rushed and less enjoyable.

Verdict

In conclusion, while the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 remakes have a lot of visual and technical improvements, they are still a bit of a mixed bag. The character models, animations, and environments are much more detailed than the original. Notably, the game feels visually fresh thanks to the enhanced lighting and effects. However, the game lacks some of the heart of the originals, with missing features like the iconic soundtrack, beloved skaters, and the full Tony Hawk 4 campaign. Nevertheless, for those who love the gameplay from the originals, there’s still a lot to enjoy in this sports game.