Revisiting cherished childhood experiences often risks clouding objectivity, yet playing Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 required no such filters. With minimal nostalgia for the franchise—despite owning a functional PS2 during its heyday—my skateboarding roots instead took shape through EA’s Skate series. This fresh perspective proved advantageous when evaluating Activision’s latest remaster, which blends arcade-style mechanics with modern refinements.

The collection shines through its polished iteration of THPS3’s beloved level design and physics. Iconic locales like Alcatraz and the Airport retain their chaotic charm, while the revamped THPS4 adopts a less faithful approach—streamlining its open-world progression into a mission checklist. Though some new stages lack the memorability of classics, the Pinball arena demonstrates how inventive environments can elevate the formula. Custom park support further extends replayability, though returning players may miss the original THPS4 structure.

Modern gaming’s shadow looms in subtle ways. Premium editions lock characters like DOOM Guy behind paywalls, though Bam Margera remains earnable through gameplay. This monetization tension contrasts sharply with the package’s core appeal: unfettered, score-chasing freedom absent of battle passes or grind-heavy unlocks. For 20+ hours, I reveled in perfecting lines across Venice Beach and School II, recapturing the series’ magic through razor-sharp controls that demand mastery without punishing imperfection.

Music proves contentious. While VGC reports only 10 tracks return from the originals, the new 50-song roster leans heavily into modern punk and alternative cuts that struggle to match the cultural imprint of earlier entries. Frequent muting in favor of personal playlists became my norm—a missed opportunity given the series’ audio legacy.

Where the package excels is embodying skateboarding’s rhythmic flow state. Chaining manuals, grinds, and aerials across Chicago’s Suburbia delivers a hypnotic satisfaction that transcends era—a welcome reprieve from 2025’s overwhelming digital landscape. This purity of purpose makes THPS3+4 feel simultaneously nostalgic and refreshing, even for newcomers.

Minor frustrations emerge—awkward collision detection on certain assets, underdeveloped narrative threads for new skaters—but these never overshadow the core joy of landing a million-point combo as Spider-Man ducks through a half-pipe. Iron Galaxy understands what made these titles legendary, even if corporate fingerprints occasionally mar the presentation.

8.5

WCCFTECH RATING

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4