Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 | Xbox Review

Five years ago, I ended my Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2 review by declaring, “The Birdman is back.” Little did I know that, shortly after, developer Vicarious Visions would be dissolved and folded into Blizzard as a support studio working on Diablo content under a new name, Blizzard Albany. For a minute there, it felt like we’d seen the last of Tony Hawk. But now, in 2025, the franchise pulls off another miraculous trick with Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4. This time it was developed by Iron Galaxy, and released as a Day One drop on Xbox Game Pass. And let me tell you: the Birdman’s still flying high.

While I played the original Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 and 2 (plus the remake) so much I could probably run through them blindfolded with both hands tied behind my back, 3 and 4 were more of a gray area in my personal history with the series. Back then, I hadn’t yet upgraded to a PlayStation 2, and those games were clearly built with that next-gen leap in mind. I’ve played them in the years since, of course, but I never developed the familiarity with their levels or challenges as I did with the first two games. So coming into this remake felt a bit like revisiting a chapter I’d skimmed before, but now get to truly dig into with fresh eyes and slightly older reflexes.

360 Kickflip + Pop Shove It

While Pro Skater 1+2 was lovingly rebuilt by Vicarious Visions, this new entry is handled by Iron Galaxy. I’ll admit, I was cautiously optimistic going in, only because I genuinely wondered how they’d reconcile the vastly different design philosophies of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4. The former was the last to use the classic two-minute run format, while the latter introduced an open-ended format, allowing players to freely explore levels and take on objectives at their own pace. But the devs still nailed the flow, feel, and finesse of what makes Tony Hawk… well, Tony Hawk. It’s not just a visual upgrade. Many iconic levels, skaters, and objectives return, reworked to fit a unified gameplay style that brings both games under one cohesive experience.

From the Foundry and Airport to Alcatraz and Kona, the stage selection will feel both familiar and solid. But THPS4 in particular saw the most significant changes: a few levels were cut or replaced, and its original open-ended format has been retrofitted back to the traditional two-minute run style of its predecessors. It’s a logical move for consistency sake, but one that may disappoint hardcore fans expecting a faithful remake.

FS Revert to Manual

The core fundamentals of the gameplay haven’t changed since 1999, and that’s a good thing! Movement is tight, tricks are snappy, and chaining together combos still delivers that same rush it did over two decades ago. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 builds upon what was established with 1+2, while seamlessly folding the mechanics that originally debuted in these two particular entries: spine transfers, reverts, grind extensions and more. Those additions round out the move set and allow for longer, more intricate combos and tricks, giving returning players more freedom without overwhelming newcomers to the series. And thankfully, the developers wisely kept the mechanics that worked, while avoiding the more gimmicky additions, like Project 8’s “Nail-a-Trick” or worse…that god awful peripheral from Tony Hawk’s Ride that barely worked! This is peak Tony Hawk, no unnecessary fluff.

Create-a-Skater makes a return, and while there are more options in terms of wardrobe and deck options, the actual face and hair customizations are still pretty limited. You start with a limited selection of gender-neutral base models and go from there. It’s serviceable, but still feels like a holdover from the previous game. On the other hand, Create-a-Park is greatly improved with more assets and objects to use. Not only can you build and share your own parks online, but you can even add your own objectives to them. These community created parks actually feel like real levels, complete with the classic two-minute run timer and goal structure. 

540 McTwist to FS Bluntslide Grind

Just like its immediate predecessor, the visual presentation in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 is absolutely top-notch. Each level has been lovingly rebuilt with richer textures, more environmental detail, and subtle atmospheric effects that bring these classic parks to life like never before. From the snowy summits of Canada, to the gritty industrial sprawl of The Foundry, everything looks sharp and modern while still retaining the classic layouts that longtime fans will instantly recognize.

Interestingly, while the THPS3 levels remain unchanged, a couple of THPS4 stages have been replaced with new ones designed by Iron Galaxy. The Chicago level, for example, has been removed. It was originally included as a crossover with Mat Hoffman’s Pro BMX, part of Activision’s early 2000s attempt to apply the Pro Skater formula to other extreme sports like surfing and snowboarding. The new levels feel like natural additions and blend well with the originals.

Nosegrind + 180 Heelflip

While the graphical enhancements are universally welcome, the level designs from THPS4 carries one major caveat. Now that these levels have been folded back into the classic two–minute format, there’s a huge disconnect as the maps remain just as large as they were in the original, but now with a ticking clock that works against you. Objectives are scattered across distant corners of the map, making it difficult (if not impossible) to complete multiple objectives in a single run. It’s a stark contrast to the tight, focused layouts of Pro Skater 1, 2 and 3, where speedrunning multiple objectives in one session was not only possible, but core to the challenge.

It’s not game-breaking by any means (seasoned players will still find satisfaction in dissecting each map), but it’s one of the few areas where the remake’s classic structure initially seems at odds with THPS4’s larger, more open-ended level design. Thankfully, there is a smart compromise tucked into the options menu: players can now adjust the timer on a per-run basis, extending it beyond the default two minutes to three, four, or even five. Combined with other optional tweaks like perfect balance for rails, lips, and manuals, it gives players more flexibility to approach these expansive levels at their own pace and handicap. It’s a welcome adjustment that helps bridge the gap between old design and new structure.

FS 50-50 + 540 Melon

While Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2 managed to retain much of its iconic soundtrack, 3+4 wasn’t as lucky. Only about a dozen tracks between the two original THPS3 and THPS4 soundtracks have returned this time around. Yes, Motorhead’s “Ace of Spades” made the cut, but other genre-defining tracks, like the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Fight Like a Brave” or punk classic “Blitzkrieg Bop” by The Ramones are notably absent. The new additions aren’t necessarily bad, but few carry the same weight or instant recognition. You could argue that this opens the door to discovering more music, just like we did back in the day. But for many players, myself included, part of the appeal of a remake like this is the sound of the nostalgia, not just the look and feel of it.

Interestingly, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 also includes a selection of original, royalty-free tracks designed specifically for streaming. These songs mimic the punk and rock energy that defined the series’ sound, offering a decent stand-in when licensing issues get in the way. It’s a smart inclusion, even if the tracks themselves aren’t particularly memorable, it’s more background vibe than playlist staple.

The 900

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 keeps the good times rolling, even if it takes a few liberties. The gameplay still feels smooth and satisfying, with mechanics from THPS3 and 4 adding more combo variety. But longtime fans might feel a bit torn, especially those who loved THPS4’s open-ended levels and were hoping for a 1:1 remake. Compressing those big maps into two-minute runs changes the pace, and while the adjustable timer is a nice band-aid, it’s still a shift not everyone will like.

Still, you can tell Iron Galaxy understood the assignment. Not only that, they matched the high standard established by Vicarious Visions with 1+2 so seamlessly, you’d hardly notice the developer had changed unless someone told you. Whether you’re a veteran effortlessly shredding six-figure combos, or a newbie learning to kickflip for the first time without falling on your ass, this is a solid return to form. Despite the long hiatus, the Birdman’s still flying high. Hopefully, we won’t wait another five years for the next game. It’d be awesome if Activision greenlit more remakes (Tony Hawk’s Underground 1+2, please!) or better yet, make a brand-new Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 6 that does the series justice and keeps the momentum going.

 

To hear me talk about Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4, be sure to listen to the July 16th, 2025 episode of The Gaming Outsider Podcast around the 1:23:45 time stamp.

This review is based on an Xbox Game Pass copy of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4. It is also available to purchase on Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and PC.