Tony Hawks Pro Skater 3 + 4 Review – Should You Buy It?

The Full Review: Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 – Before You Buy

There are few sounds as instantly nostalgic as the clack of a virtual skateboard hitting pavement while Goldfinger blares in the background. If you grew up skating your way through pixelated versions of Canada, Alcatraz, or the College Campus, you’re probably just as hyped (and skeptical) as I was when Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 dropped as a follow-up to that 2020 banger remake of 1 + 2.

And now that I’ve sunk hours into it—deluxe edition and all—here’s my honest take: this is a damn good time, even if it doesn’t quite stick the landing every time.

Skate or Die (Again)

Let’s start with the basics: the gameplay is just as tight as you'd hope. If you played the remake of THPS 1 + 2, then you’ll feel right at home. The trick chaining, the responsive controls, spine transfers—it’s all here and buttery smooth. Whether you’re jumping back in after years away or you’ve been grinding through Thug Pro on PC, it’s super easy to pick up and start linking together ridiculous combos.

It’s the kind of game where your fingers remember what to do before your brain does.

Levels That Deserve a Victory Lap

Tony Hawk 3 and 4 had some of the best levels in the series, full stop. And they absolutely shine here. The suburb, the airport, Japan, Canada—these maps are lovingly recreated with some visual upgrades that make them pop in all the right ways.

For example, College from THPS4 now has vibrant parade confetti, more life, and more personality. Brazil looks slick and stylish. The Foundry, with its smoke effects and molten metal vibes, is a total visual treat.

But, of course, not every level made the jump unscathed. The zoo level is a little tamer than I remember, and Kona? Man, that one hurts. What used to be a chaotic skate playground now feels like a toned-down competition park. And that brings us to the biggest sticking point...

What Happened to Pro Skater 4?

Here’s the deal: THPS 4 was the first to introduce open levels and NPCs with actual goals. That’s completely gone. The devs boiled everything back down to the two-minute career mode format to match the flow of THPS 1–3.

Is it lazy? Maybe. Is it a compromise? Definitely. But does it work? Sort of.

While the timed mode is still fun and has some creative callbacks to the original missions, it doesn’t fully capture the exploratory, quirky vibe of THPS4. Gone are the goofy characters and the open, wandering feel. Even small, dumb things like the peeing guy in Canada—yep, not there. And if you’re the type who lives for that kind of personality, you’re gonna feel the loss.

Multiplayer & Character Stuff

Online play works great. Crossplay is enabled, matchmaking is snappy, and it feels like a straight lift from the previous remake—which is honestly a good thing. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” right?

Character creation, though? A little underwhelming this time around. Fewer options, less exciting gear to buy. I’m all for unlocking decks and clothes, but it didn’t have that addictive drip-feed feeling of progression. That said, there is a cool secret shop where you can unlock Bam Margera (love that he's back!) and even some flashy grind effects and screen filters.

New Stuff Worth Shredding

One unexpected treat was the inclusion of three brand-new levels, and wow—they absolutely rock. These aren’t filler, they feel like true extensions of the classic Tony Hawk DNA. Long combo lines, creative structure, and a ton of replay value. They got me wondering: if Iron Galaxy can do this so well, why not go all in on a brand-new Tony Hawk 5?

Seriously. Not the mess from years ago. A real one.

Soundtrack Vibes (Or Lack Thereof)

I’ve got to talk music because let’s face it—Tony Hawk games are part skating, part punk rock mixtape. This one does the same thing as the last remake: mixes in classic bangers with new tracks.

But this time around, more of the classics are missing, and that new stuff doesn’t always land the same way. It still works, and I even discovered a few bops I liked, but it doesn’t carry the same punch. Vibes matter, man.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 is a blast, full stop. It’s a solid continuation of the excellent 1 + 2 remake, and if you're craving some sweet, arcade-style skating action, you're in for a good time.

But it’s also fair to say it’s not quite as polished or complete. The stripped-down THPS4 content, weaker character tools, and missing soundtrack beats take some of the shine off. Still, with new levels, satisfying gameplay, and a nostalgic rush of memories every time you launch off a halfpipe, it's hard not to recommend.

If you're a casual fan, you'll love it. If you're a diehard purist? You'll probably have some nitpicks—but let's be real, you’ll still be grinding rails at 2 a.m.

Stay kickflipping through the nostalgia with more retro remakes and reviews at Land of Geek Magazine!

#tonyhawkremake #gamingreview #ps5proskater #thps3and4 #skateordie