Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 is the latest in a line of remakes breathing new life into one of gaming’s most iconic franchises. Following the widely praised 1 + 2 remaster in 2020, this collection continues the revival with updated visuals, revamped controls, and a blend of nostalgia and innovation. But while Pro Skater 3 gets the modern treatment with few caveats, the changes to Pro Skater 4’s design philosophy may leave longtime fans with mixed feelings.
Visuals & Performance
Graphically, the game is an impressive leap forward. Levels like Foundry, Suburbia, and College are beautifully reimagined in 4K with dynamic lighting and sharp detail, giving each park a sense of atmosphere without compromising the fast-paced gameplay.
On PC, performance is rock-solid. Players can expect high frame rates, ultrawide support, and seamless optimization across a range of hardware. Load times are near-instant, and the UI is responsive and clean. Small hiccups like occasional screen tearing were observed in very specific setups, but overall, the technical execution is excellent.
Gameplay & Mechanics
The heart of THPS has always been in its movement—and here, it shines. Controls are fluid, responsive, and satisfying, whether you’re chaining a high-score combo or casually grinding rails. Manuals, reverts, spine transfers, and lip tricks are all retained, making trick chains feel as deep and rewarding as ever.
Where THPS 3 sticks to the classic two-minute runs with familiar goal lists, THPS 4 undergoes a more significant transformation. Originally a step toward open-world, objective-based gameplay, it’s now restructured into a time-limited format that aligns more closely with the first three games. While this brings a sense of cohesion to the collection, it sacrifices some of THPS 4’s more ambitious design—something purists may miss.
New additions like the “HAWK” multiplayer mode (think hide-and-seek with trick challenges) and cross-platform online free skate sessions inject fresh energy into the experience. A built-in timer extender even lets players customize session length, which helps recapture the slower-paced exploration feel of THPS 4.
Content & Customization
All the original levels from both games return, and they’re faithfully rebuilt. From the gritty streets of Los Angeles to the chaotic lines of Kona and the industrial loops of Canada, the environments feel both true to memory and revitalized with modern detail.
Three brand-new levels—Waterpark, Pinball, and Movie Studio—are standout additions. Waterpark in particular feels like it could’ve been pulled from the early 2000s era of Tony Hawk design, with inventive vertical lines and great flow.
The skater roster is deep and diverse, featuring returning legends like Rodney Mullen and Chad Muska alongside modern stars such as Rayssa Leal and Yuto Horigome. Character customization is solid, with a detailed Create-a-Skater system and a robust Create-a-Park editor that supports community sharing. However, some players may be disappointed by the relatively limited cosmetic customization for professional skaters, which feels like a missed opportunity in an otherwise feature-rich game.
Soundtrack
Few things define the Tony Hawk games like their soundtracks, and the 2025 remix walks a tightrope between legacy and evolution. While not every classic track returns due to licensing, the spirit remains. New selections from artists like Fontaines D.C., Danny Brown, and Jeff Rosenstock blend well with the familiar punk, hip-hop, and ska foundations of the series.
Some fans may understandably miss specific nostalgic tracks, but the curated soundtrack succeeds in preserving the game’s musical identity while introducing a fresh sound for a new generation.
Final Verdict: 7/10
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 is a smart, stylish remaster that retains the series’ fast-paced, combo-driven essence while updating its presentation and structure for 2025. It doesn’t fully capture everything that made THPS 4 unique, and some omissions—musical or otherwise—will sting for die-hard fans. But moment to moment, trick to trick, this is still one of the best skateboarding experiences on the market.
Whether you’re reliving your childhood or discovering the series for the first time, 3 + 4 delivers tight gameplay, great design, and endless replayability. It’s not a flawless love letter, but it’s close—and it’s undeniably fun.
