Tony Hawk's™ Pro Skater™ 3 + 4

Tony Hawk's™ Pro Skater™ 3 + 4 offers a mixed experience for fans and newcomers alike. Gameplay for THPS3 is generally praised for retaining the classic feel and smooth mechanics seen in the previous remaster of 1+2, providing a satisfying skateboarding experience. However, THPS4’s reimagined career mode, which replaces the original open-world style with a 2-minute timed goals format, has sparked significant disappointment. Many players feel this change strips away much of the unique identity and replayability of THPS4. Additionally, the removal of several original levels such as Carnival and Chicago, along with missing secret skaters and heavily altered or missing soundtrack tracks, detracts from the nostalgic appeal.

Graphically, the game is competent but considered by some to lack the charm and grit of the originals. Technical issues like stuttering and crashes on PC also affect the experience for some. Despite these flaws, the game includes new levels, crossplay multiplayer, and retains core mechanics, making it enjoyable for those who appreciate the franchise’s gameplay foundation. Overall, the game is seen as a solid but flawed package, best purchased on sale.

Highlights

Players widely praise the faithful recreation of THPS3’s gameplay mechanics, which remain fluid and true to the original. The inclusion of crossplay multiplayer and new levels such as Movie Studio adds fresh content and replay value. The roster features fan favorites like Bam Margera and even special guests like Doom Slayer and Michelangelo, which fans appreciate. The game’s engine delivers smooth controls and responsive skating, maintaining the series’ hallmark feel. Graphically, the levels are polished and run well on most systems. The soundtrack retains some iconic tracks, and the addition of modern songs provides variety. Create-a-Park and Pro Goals add depth to gameplay, enhancing the overall experience for dedicated players.

Criticisms

The restructured THPS4 career mode is a major point of contention, criticized for reducing the game to repetitive 2-minute runs and removing its original open-world exploration and NPC missions. Several original levels and secret skaters are missing, which fans see as a significant downgrade. The soundtrack suffers from the removal of many classic songs, replaced by less fitting modern tracks, diminishing the nostalgic atmosphere. Technical issues such as frequent stutters, crashes, and UI glitches—especially on PC—frustrate players. Create-a-Skater is considered bare-bones and uninspired, lacking depth compared to previous entries. Some new levels, like Pinball, are viewed as poorly designed and disrupt flow. Overall, many feel the game is more of a content add-on to 1+2 rather than a full-fledged remake, with perceived laziness in design and execution.