Review: Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 (Switch 2)

I must confess, I was rather anxious about Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4. I enjoyed the initial ‘1 + 2’ compilation back in 2021 and truly cherished it, but my formative adolescent years were influenced by the Birdman’s third and fourth console releases. Therefore, it’s fair to say that much was at stake with Iron Galaxy’s remake, and early worries regarding THPS4’s structural changes definitely unsettled me.

Fortunately, I can wholeheartedly affirm that this recent nostalgic journey back to what I would claim was the pinnacle of the Tony Hawk’s series is a triumph – albeit with several qualifications.

Let’s address the obvious issue first. Pro Skater 4 has undergone significant alterations to align more closely with Pro Skater 3 (and THPS1 + 2, for that matter). Instead of exploring each level at your own speed and initiating missions by conversing with the local populace, you’ll be racing against a two-minute timer, completing tasks naturally as you navigate through the environments.

It’s a tough adjustment for veterans who were hoping for a more faithful remake of the original, but I must admit that it still operates quite effectively as it is. Yes, the levels in THPS4 are considerably larger than those that preceded, meaning that tasks like gathering the S-K-A-T-E letters may prove more challenging with the countdown clock. However, having the title align more closely with the third does create a more unified experience; one I am confident newcomers will value.

Speaking of unity, despite the transition of development from the now-defunct Vicarious Visions to Iron Galaxy, THPS3+4 feels immediately recognizable to those who played the original titles and the 2021 remake of 1 + 2. It operates precisely how you would expect, featuring smooth, responsive controls, extravagantly over-the-top combos, and a wealth of options regarding player and board customization.

You’ve got a robust assortment of skaters to select from, including Hawk himself, Zion Wright, Chloe Covell, and others. Unlockable characters encompass Bam Margera and TMNT’s Michelangelo, while those who opt for the Digital Deluxe Edition can also skate as DOOM Slayer and the Revenant, along with additional bonus music tracks.

Each skater possesses unique strengths and weaknesses, but by gathering hidden stat points throughout each level, you can enhance attributes from speed to lip balance. The encouraging news is that if you switch characters, you can instantly apply all previously collected stat points, eliminating the need for repetitive grinding.

Regarding the levels themselves, they’ve been absolutely superbly recreated. Unlike the first two installments, 3 + 4 heavily leans into the whole MTV / Jackass influence, featuring some outlandishly ridiculous missions that utilize the various NPC characters scattered across each stage. Consequently, you can ‘Bury the Bully’ in Canada, ‘Stop the Pickpockets’ at the Airport, and ‘Photobomb the Tourists’ in Alcatraz. Some missions have been moderately modified, so don’t anticipate Ollie the Bum hallucinating pink elephants. They remain, but the context has been changed somewhat.

Apart from the familiar favorites, Iron Galaxy has also taken the initiative to create several new tracks, and I must say, they’re fantastic. Waterpark, in particular, stands out as a true highlight, with its multitude of waterslides and empty pools creating a genuine skateboarding playground that invites combos into oblivion. It gives me hope that Activision could soon greenlight a brand-new Tony Hawk’s game, though I won’t be holding my breath.

One aspect I wish to highlight, however, is the music. To clarify, the soundtrack here is incredible; truly excellent content. You’ll find Iron Maiden’s 2 Minutes to Midnight, Sex Pistols Holidays in the Sun, Mastodon’s Precious Stones, and plenty more. The drawback, however, is that music evokes strong nostalgia, and most of the original tracks have been omitted, with only six from THPS3 and four from THPS4 remaining.

I want to emphasize that the soundtrack is genuinely quite good, and ultimately many newcomers will stumble upon lifelong favorites here, just as I did in the early 2000s. Yet why couldn’t Iron Galaxy cater to both audiences? I broke into a wide grin when Bodyjar’s Not the Same played for the first time, and I simply wish that the collection incorporated a few more nostalgic anthems.

Shifting to multiplayer, there are several options available to engage you after you finish the single-player segment. One of the standout features is the new ‘HAWK’ mode, where you conceal H-A-W-K letters around levels before riding around to discover your opponent’s letters. It’s a neat little addition, and it’s refreshing to see something beyond the typical ‘see who can rack up the highest score’.

That said, while the multiplayer aspect operates smoothly, finding a match can occasionally take some time. It’s early days, to an extent, but if the game is struggling to match players at launch, then I dread to consider what it may be like in a year or two.

Alongside standard multiplayer, you’ve also got the Create-A-Park mode. Here, you can experiment with custom parks from a substantial selection, though it’s fair to say that some of the initial designs leave much to be desired. Honestly, I can’t criticize; I wouldn’t fare much better, but I’m certainly eager to see a few creations that go beyond silly gimmicks.

The actual creation tool is quite enjoyable and intuitive, with assets selected via the D-pad and placed on the ground using the analogue sticks. You can rotate pieces, zoom in, and pan the camera around – all sorts. It’s a fun little tool if you have an aptitude for park creation, but ultimately, I can’t foresee myself utilizing it extensively.

Finally, evaluating how the game performs on Switch 2, I’m largely very impressed. In handheld mode, there can be some minor aliasing, but overall, the game is remarkably comparable to the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, achieving what feels like a solid 60fps with stunning reflection technology on display with puddles.

The lighting appears splendid in settings like Tokyo and Foundry, and thankfully, pop-in is kept to a minimum. Some NPC characters may seem slightly goofy at times, certainly, but if anything, this reminded me of the original games. That’s my justification at least – deal with it.

Finally, you can explore some of the scenery via the game’s photo mode, which operates effectively and incorporates a variety of cool little filters and effects for good measure.

Conclusion

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 is another welcome return to the franchise’s golden era, showcasing the third and fourth installments with enhanced visuals while preserving the same slick gameplay. Some may struggle with the structural changes to Pro Skater 4, and I must admit to feeling a bit let down by the absence of classic music tracks, but overall, the advantages certainly outweigh the disadvantages.

If you’re aiming to inject a substantial dose of nostalgia into your life, or you simply wish to experience what the Tony Hawk series was like at its utmost peak, then this should prove a fine addition to your Switch 2 library.