Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 Remake: 2001 Has Never Looked Better

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It can be rewarding to be a millennial due to some unique experiences we’ve had. Although many of us might struggle with homeownership and student loans, our generation was fortunate enough to live through and observe the remarkable advancements in video gaming and skateboarding from the early 1980s up until the mid-1990s.

Back in Christmas 2001, I unwrapped Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 for GameCube, along with my first skateboard – a World Industries Flame Boy deck. That very moment marked the beginning of an unquenchable passion for me. My gaming buddies and I had already been hooked on Pro Skater 2 on N64, but getting my own copy was like striking gold!

Pro Skater ignited a flame in me to delve deeper into skateboarding culture. I devoured X Games videos, begged my parents for tickets to Tony Hawk’s Boom Boom Huck Jam, and found myself immersed in Southern California’s punk scene, which would soundtrack the next 20-odd years of my life. Those years were formative, shaping who I am today – a 35-year-old dorky punk with a heart full of gratitude for Tony Hawk and his Pro Skater games that set me on this incredible journey.

Years later, the revamped versions of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 and 2 hit the market, revitalizing the series following the disappointing Pro Skater 5. When I learned that a merged remake of Pro Skater 3 and 4 was underway with Iron Galaxy, who collaborated on the previous reboots with Activision and Vicarious Visions, my excitement soared. Will my gaming instincts return, or will it feel like mastering a new game altogether? Will it preserve the same humor and enthusiasm as the originals, or veer off courseno pun intended? Upon sampling several hours of the remake, I can only say: The cheeky 12-year-old skater in me is thrilled beyond measure.

Our Childhood Revamped

Before jumping into the latest features, I felt it was essential to refresh my skills and rekindle the nostalgia by launching the classic Pro Skater 3 level “The Foundry”. This legendary factory serves as a paradise for meta-rail enthusiasts, so I’m curious to find out if Iron Galaxy made any changes to this iconic level.

In the remake of Pro Skater 3 and 4 by Iron Galaxy, they didn’t just update the graphics, but completely rebuilt the old maps from scratch. This isn’t a simple remaster; it’s a fresh take while still preserving the original design. The familiar sensation of soaring through fiery spouts and irritating factory workers is still there, but now it’s more vivid than ever – you can almost feel the heat. It’s been over 20 years since I last played this level, yet stepping onto that skate park felt just like my junior high days, grinding pipes and rails with Rodney Mullen while AFI’s “The Boy Who Destroyed the World” played in the background.

I found it effortless to resume my rhythm in the game as the controls felt fluid and liberating, allowing me to smoothly transition into practicing nose grinds and inventing unique combos. After a while, I felt unstoppable, pulling off 50-70K point combos within an hour of casual play. At the demo event, professional players showcased their skills to highlight the game’s smoothness. One player, in particular, consistently scored 10-25 million points with such ease, further emphasizing the elegance of the controls. Even if you’re new to Tony Hawk games or lack prior skill, it’s enjoyable and straightforward to simply cruise on your skateboard, explore the maps, and practice.

In the remake, while I appreciated the enhanced graphics and gameplay that brought back my childhood memories, one aspect from Iron Galaxy stirred debate among fans. Instead of keeping the open-ended career mode found in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4, they opted to reintroduce the original two-minute timer from the initial three games. Initially, many were hesitant about this choice, including myself. However, after dedicating countless hours attempting to complete each challenge within that tight time frame, I recognized a unique appeal in that time limit. The rush and the memories of repeatedly starting over to perfect certain sequences reminded me of challenging feats like an uninterrupted run or experimenting with new abilities against tough opponents.

In his discussion with the team, Game Director Kurt Tillmans explained that reintroducing the two-minute timer was aimed at producing a unified game experience that wouldn’t be too complex for novice players. He believes that the format of Pro Skater 3 most accurately reflects the series’ origins and playing style. While there will be an option for extended time limits, he recommends starting with two minutes. I’m looking forward to observing the reactions from both seasoned fans and newcomers when the game is finally launched.

Gnarly New Stuff

I’ve waited more than ten years for Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater to introduce fresh maps, and now that a highly anticipated one has been included in the remake – the deserted Waterpark – I can’t wait to explore it!

This park embodies everything Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater stands for: an entertaining, exploratory layout brimming with amusing Easter eggs and an abundance of inventive ways to perform unique combos. As soon as you begin the level, you find yourself atop a meticulously designed water slide, ideal for trying out fresh tricks, while offering a stunning panorama of the map that resembles a skateboarder’s dream Disneyland.

In this updated version of Tony Hawk, they’ve swapped out some old tunes for fresh tracks that make it just as exhilarating as ever. From timeless hits like Motorhead’s “Ace of Spades” and CKY’s “96 Quite Bitter Beings,” which fueled my teenage angst, to new skate anthems such as “Dog Years” by Urethane and “uknowhatimsayin” by Danny Brown, the soundtrack is a perfect blend of the past and present. The moment I heard Bodyjar’s “Not the Same” playing in Suburbia, it took me back to my countless attempts (and failures) to pull off a 360 flip on that weathervane!

When it comes to choosing skaters in the Tony Hawk series, I typically favor the original pros I knew from my childhood such as Rodney Mullen, Eric Koston, or Bob Burnquist. However, learning that Bam Margera and Andy Anderson would be part of the roster made me incredibly excited to try out their gameplay. Fans have been eagerly waiting for Bam’s return since his appearance in Pro Skater 3, and he is another pro skater I grew up with. In an interview about joining the remake of 3 + 4, Bam said he would need to give gaming another chance because this game will be worth it. On the other hand, Andy Anderson is a newer skater known for his mix of traditional and innovative tricks and always wearing a helmet. During my interview with him, Andy mentioned that Tony Hawk games were a significant part of his childhood, with American Wasteland being his favorite, so being invited was like a dream come true. When asked about seeing himself as a playable character, Andy said it felt like a perfect representation of himself from every angle. At this point, we haven’t seen Bam’s gameplay yet, but Andy Anderson’s character seems to capture his style almost perfectly.

I’m really eager to find out how the multiplayer aspect of this game operates, given that it has been problematic in previous Tony Hawk games due to gameplay restrictions. Fortunately, Iron Galaxy claims that THPS 3 + 4 can accommodate up to eight players simultaneously across platforms. Let’s hope this means a wider range of online experiences and fewer lengthy loading screens for us gamers!

A Beautiful Sandbox

Based on what we’ve observed, the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 remake appears to be an impressive playground for both old and new gamers. The stunningly updated and fresh maps, a vast array of adored skaters, and an exceptional soundtrack within the game have me optimistic about Iron Galaxy as the future studio to carry on the legacy. This remake successfully combines novelty with respect for the original Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series, which is renowned for its distinctiveness and enduring popularity among video game enthusiasts.

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2025-05-14 01:57