Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 review – high score grindset

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In 2025, it seems as though Tony Hawk games have made a triumphant return. The release of Pro Skater 1 + 2 has brought back the legendary “Birdman” and his talented skaters, while Pro Skater 3 + 4 is now available, ensuring a lasting impact in video game culture. Moreover, EA’s revival of the Skate series points towards an enduring trend – skating games are making a comeback and it appears that once more, Tony Hawk takes center stage as the main attraction.

In essence, PlayStation’s Pro Skater 3 and 4 are exactly as you’d imagine if you’ve played the first two games. This new version is a complete overhaul of the third and fourth mainline titles in the Tony Hawk series. Notably, Pro Skater 4 underwent substantial changes to fit the two-minute timer, replacing the original mission structure. Some fans who are fond of Pro Skater 4 might take issue with this adjustment, but seasoned players will appreciate the return of the timer, as it embodies the arcade-style essence of Pro Skater games.

The remade versions of the two games have their differences, although they can both be enjoyed individually. While the structure of the 3 + 4 part remains familiar, the levels in game number 4 are noticeably designed for a timeless experience. They’re expansive, and the paths within them aren’t as constricted. This might feel a bit awkward at times, but it provides an enjoyable trip back to iconic stages.

If you’re looking to advance through each level as you play, it won’t take much effort or dedication, but seeking out hidden areas and uncovering secrets will deepen your understanding and proficiency in those levels. During a Games Done Quick live stream, one of the hosts likened the Tony Hawk games to “Super Mario 64 on a skateboard,” which is quite fitting. While Super Mario 64 grants players freedom to explore stages freely, it also provides enough movement techniques for skilled players to pull off incredible jumps and tricks. Similarly, the Tony Hawk series offers these same features, making mastery of the various movement techniques crucial.

Experimenting with only the moves and combinations from the initial games could leave you feeling rather constrained. Each installment in the series has introduced, eliminated, and polished various tricks and maneuvers, and the remake duology has truly nailed down what makes a Tony Hawk game ideal. It’s so well-crafted that I worry a future Tony Hawk game – I genuinely hope there will be more – might spoil it by trying to incorporate too many new features. In terms of gameplay and physics, 3 + 4 comes very close to perfection.

In this game, while it’s exciting to see both veteran and new skaters, an extensive collection of unlockable decks and outfits often goes unnoticed due to the lack of a compelling narrative surrounding the skater’s career. Since I’m not particularly invested in the aesthetics or appearance of my skater when there are so many professional skaters to pick from, these cosmetic elements don’t hold much appeal for me personally.

The Create-A-Park game remains, and it’s great to have it around! However, despite my attempts, my Nintendo Switch 2 just wouldn’t let me access my Activision account, denying me multiplayer fun and the chance to share my parks online with friends. It’s early in the game, so I’m willing to overlook this issue, as well as the occasional loading glitch where levels turned black, requiring a restart.

As a gamer, I must admit, the gaming experience on the Nintendo Switch 2 has exceeded my expectations in many ways. Initially, the visuals can seem a tad softer when playing in handheld mode, but once docked to a stunning 4K TV, the clarity is impressive and almost indistinguishable from console versions of games I’ve played on PS4 and PS5.

I must admit, I’ve grown accustomed to somewhat blurry, 30 fps renditions of these big-console games on my Switch 2. In fact, there was a moment when I forgot entirely that I was playing this game on the Switch 2, it felt like I was playing a fully-fledged console version instead of a handheld device being scaled up to a large screen.

In essence, if you enjoyed the previous remake of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 and 4, this new version is essentially a must-have game for any platform. While I may not be drawn to the extensive customization options, the core gameplay remains exceptional, and the classic levels have been meticulously reimagined. In essence, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 delivers almost everything you could want from a remake of these iconic games.

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2025-07-25 18:46