Iron Galaxy has taken the reins of remastering Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 and 4, showcasing a capable stewardship of the franchise. The nearly five-year wait since Vicarious Visions remastered Pro Skater and Pro Skater 2 is over, with this new iteration offering both bold changes and a return to form.
For fans of the series, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 remains one of the best video games of all time. Its release in 2001 added new tricks and special combos that expanded the tricking system. The remaster maintains its levels, objectives, and skaters, including Bam Margera’s return, while introducing some refinements to gameplay.
The more recent Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4 has undergone a significant transformation with Iron Galaxy’s remake. The studio has reworked open-ended missions into classic format runs with timed objectives, allowing players to focus on scoring high and mastering levels like the new Waterpark level, which showcases their talent in designing THPS levels.
While die-hard fans may take issue with some changes, such as the soundtrack overhaul, the overall direction of the remasters presents a promising future for the franchise. Iron Galaxy has created strong new levels, including Pinball and Movie Studio, that fit seamlessly within the series’ identity.
As Tony Hawk himself explained, his choice to drastically switch up the soundtracks was intentional, aiming to create discovery and excitement around new tracks alongside classic ones. The remasters are providing fans with a fresh experience while staying true to the spirit of the original games.
With the release on July 11 for multiple platforms, including Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X, Iron Galaxy has cemented their place as capable stewards of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater.
Source: https://www.polygon.com/gaming/612450/thps-tony-hawks-pro-skater-3-4-remaster-review