Tony Hawk’s 3+4 Review – A Remake That Shreds

The franchise that thrust skating games into the mainstream, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, has returned.

Fans already got their grubby mitts on Tony Hawk’s 1+2 (released in October 2023), and now, finally, Iron Galaxy and Activision have released Tony Hawk’s 3+4. More than a remaster, Tony Hawk’s 3+4 boasts crisp, modern visuals, a massive soundtrack, and even new content. This isn’t a cash grab — it’s a 720 double kickflip to tail grab, crooked grind, varial heelflip to indy… uh, grab.

My point? In a sea of lazy ports, remasters, and remakes, Tony Hawk’s 3+4 soars above the rest. This is the new gold standard for how remasters should be done.

New to the Series?

If, somehow, you’re unfamiliar with the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater games, here’s a quick rundown:

The franchise began in 1999 with Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, letting players control their favorite pro skaters as they completed a variety of objectives across diverse locations. Objectives included reaching a target score, landing a huge combo, collecting the letters S-K-A-T-E, performing tricks over certain gaps, finding hidden tapes, and more.

As the series evolved, so did the gameplay. THPS2 introduced manuals (essential for chaining combos). THPS3 added reverts for combo extension off ramps. THPS4 brought spine transfers and expanded flatland tricks. All of these mechanics were incorporated into Tony Hawk’s 1+2 — and now return for 3+4, letting players experience every level with the most versatile moveset yet.

Polished and Packed With Content

Tony Hawk’s 3+4, much like 1+2, lets you revisit iconic levels from the original THPS3 and THPS4, now rebuilt with modern textures, high resolution visuals, and dramatically improved lighting and shadows. They look phenomenal.

Gameplay may seem complex at first, but like most old-school games, it just takes practice. Veterans of the franchise will feel right at home — like slipping on an old pair of DCs.

All the classic levels return: dodge sparks and molten metal in The Foundry, bury the bully in snow in Canada, shred through a haunted house in Suburbia, skitch a stolen car at College — and more. But that’s not all…

For the first time ever, a THPS remake includes brand new levels:

• Waterpark – An abandoned waterpark turned skate haven, with dried slides and empty pools.
• Pinball – A surreal level set inside a working pinball machine, where flippers and bumpers launch you mid-run.
• Movie Studio – Interconnected film sets (Western, medieval, futuristic) allowing seamless transitions as you skate between genres.

There are even secret areas and clever Easter eggs to discover, with slick references that longtime fans will appreciate.

Soundtrack Wipeout

My only real gripe with Tony Hawk’s 3+4 is its soundtrack overhaul. Less than 20% of the original tracks made the cut. Sure, “Spokesman” by Goldfinger is thankfully included, but many of the iconic, hook-driven tracks have been replaced with chaotic noise — overly fuzzy guitars, screamy vocals, and songs that feel more grating than energizing. I’m a die-hard metalhead, and even I had to mute a few of these new additions.

A Celebration of Skate and Gaming Culture

Despite the soundtrack stumbles, Tony Hawk’s 3+4 feels like a celebration — a loving tribute to an iconic era in skateboarding, gaming, and pop culture. The gameplay is as slick as ever, the visuals are stunning, and there’s plenty of challenge here even for seasoned players.

A standout feature? Crossplay. No matter your platform, you can squad up with friends and shred together. Add in a New Game+ mode and extra unlockables, and you’ve got hours of replay value.

Conclusion

Tony Hawk’s 3+4 takes two classic skating games, rebuilds them from the ground up, and delivers a masterclass in how to modernize beloved titles. The added content fits seamlessly, and even veteran players will find something fresh to tackle. Kudos to Iron Galaxy and Activision — this is how you do a remake.