Tony Hawk’s™ Pro Skater™ 3 + 4 – A Legendary Ride Revisited

Introduction: Two Icons of Skateboarding Reborn

Tony Hawk’s™ Pro Skater™ 3 + 4 combines the best of early 2000s extreme sports culture into a nostalgic, fast-paced skateboarding experience. As sequels to the genre-defining originals, these titles brought enhanced mechanics, larger levels, and iconic soundtracks that fueled a generation of gamers. Whether you’re grinding down rails in Tokyo or soaring across the Kona skatepark, this combo delivers trick-filled action, classic vibes, and arcade mastery.

1. Visual Style and Presentation

Early 2000s Aesthetic with Big Air Attitude

The visual direction of THPS 3 and 4 captures skateboarding culture with graffiti walls, urban landscapes, and vibrant parks. Character models and animations were fluid for their time and still carry charm today.

Pros:

• Varied, iconic level designs

• Cool skater outfits and animations

Cons:

• Dated graphics without remastering

• Some textures feel flat by modern standards

2. Core Gameplay Loop

Skate, Trick, Score, Repeat

The core loop is simple: land high-scoring tricks, complete objectives, and unlock new levels. Gameplay rewards creativity, flow, and combo chaining.

Pros:

• Addictive combo-based scoring

• Wide range of tricks and challenges

Cons:

• Can feel repetitive without new mechanics

• Limited progression in career mode

3. Controls and Mechanics

Refined to Near-Perfection

With manuals (introduced in THPS 2), revert tricks (THPS 3), and spine transfers (THPS 4), the control scheme became incredibly deep. These mechanics allowed chaining tricks across entire levels.

Pros:

• Tight, responsive controls

• Deep combo system with balance

Cons:

• Takes time to master complex tricks

• Some special tricks require awkward inputs

4. Level Design and Environments

Iconic Locations That Stick with You

From the foundries and airports of THPS 3 to Alcatraz and the College campus of THPS 4, the levels are full of ramps, rails, and hidden areas perfect for creative exploration.

Pros:

• Great layout variety

• Each level has distinct flow and personality

Cons:

• Some goals require tedious backtracking

• Invisible walls in older maps feel restrictive today

5. Soundtrack and Audio Design

A Time Capsule of Punk, Rock, and Hip-Hop

The soundtracks are legendary. From Motorhead and Redman to Alien Ant Farm and Del the Funky Homosapien, the audio defines the game’s vibe.

Pros:

• Genre-defining music selection

• Excellent syncing of gameplay with beats

Cons:

• No dynamic music changes during tricks

• Tracks may loop too often for long sessions

6. Customization and Progression

Skaters, Stats, and Decks

Players can customize their skaters’ stats, outfits, and boards. THPS 4 introduced non-linear career progression, letting players choose goals freely.

Pros:

• Stat upgrades affect gameplay

• Character progression is satisfying

Cons:

• Customization options limited by today’s standards

• No gear impact beyond cosmetics

7. Skater Roster and Guest Characters

Legends, Celebs, and Wild Unlocks

Play as Tony Hawk, Bam Margera, Rodney Mullen—or unlock Spider-Man and Darth Maul. These games were packed with secret characters and wild surprises.

Pros:

• Diverse and iconic roster

• Entertaining guest appearances

Cons:

• Guest skaters feel gimmicky for some

• Lacks diversity in real-world skaters

8. Multiplayer and Replayability

Split-Screen and High Score Battles

Even without online play (at the time), the games offered hours of replayability with local competitive modes like Horse, Trick Attack, and Graffiti.

Pros:

• Tons of replayable content

• Fun, fast multiplayer challenges

Cons:

• Limited to local play

• No ghost or replay saving

9. Level Editor and Creative Mode

Build Your Own Skatepark

The Park Editor let players build custom parks, place ramps, rails, and design layouts—years ahead of its time in user-generated content.

Pros:

• Deep editor with creative potential

• Share levels via memory card/save files

Cons:

• Object limits and simple tools

• No terrain customization

10. Final Verdict: Do THPS 3 + 4 Still Shred?

Tony Hawk’s™ Pro Skater™ 3 + 4 remain landmark entries in arcade sports games. Their fluid controls, iconic levels, and cultural impact shaped skateboarding games for decades. While they may look dated, their gameplay still shines today—especially if re-released or remastered.