Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 Remake: A Bold Revival or a Risky Reinvention?
The long-awaited Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 remake is finally rolling in, promising a fresh take on two of the most beloved skateboarding games of all time. With upgraded visuals, new skaters, and enhanced online play, the remake is shaping up to be a dream for both nostalgic fans and newcomers. However, some major changes—including the omission of Bam Margera and a controversial revamp of Pro Skater 4’s Career Mode—are sparking heated debates within the community.
Will these updates propel the franchise forward, or will they alienate the core fanbase? Let’s break it all down.
Bam Margera’s Absence: A Necessary Move or a Loss for the Franchise?
One of the biggest shocks surrounding Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 is the exclusion of Bam Margera. As a key figure in the original Pro Skater 3 and Pro Skater 4, his absence is hard to ignore. While Activision has not provided an official reason, speculation points to Margera’s well-documented legal struggles and personal issues as likely factors.
Margera wasn’t just a playable skater—he was a core part of the game’s DNA. In Pro Skater 4, he even served as a mission giver, guiding players through objectives with his signature Jackass-style humor. His removal raises a significant question: how will Activision handle future remakes, especially Tony Hawk’s Underground 2, where Margera played an even more pivotal role?
For some fans, the decision is understandable given the circumstances. For others, it feels like a piece of skateboarding history is being erased. It’s yet another example of how modern gaming remakes must navigate the fine line between nostalgia and the realities of today’s industry.
Career Mode Overhaul: A Step Back for THPS4 Fans?
Another major shift in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 is how Pro Skater 4’s Career Mode is being restructured. Rather than keeping the game’s open-ended career progression, the remake adopts a two-minute challenge system akin to THPS3 and earlier titles.
Why Does This Matter?
In Pro Skater 4, players could freely explore levels, take on challenges at their own pace, and engage in a more immersive career experience. This move toward a stricter time-based structure might streamline gameplay, but it also eliminates some of the depth that made THPS4 stand out.
While this change makes sense from a design consistency perspective—bringing THPS3 and THPS4 in line with one another—it’s a tough pill to swallow for players who were looking forward to a true remake of THPS4’s more open-ended structure.
What’s New in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4?
Despite these divisive choices, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 isn’t just a rehash—it’s bringing a lot of new content to the table.
- Next-Gen Graphics: The remake features completely overhauled visuals, giving classic levels a modern facelift.
- Expanded Roster: New and returning pro skaters will be available, broadening the lineup beyond the original selections.
- Updated Controls: Refinements to trick mechanics promise a smoother, more responsive skating experience.
- Online Multiplayer: Competitive online play gets a boost, allowing players to challenge each other in various game modes.
- Soundtrack Expansion: The iconic THPS soundtrack returns with classic hits, alongside new tracks curated to fit the series’ legendary vibe.
While these additions are exciting, they also highlight the balancing act the developers are attempting—modernizing the experience while staying true to the originals.
The Future of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater Remakes
The decisions made in THPS 3+4 will likely influence how Activision approaches future remakes, particularly Tony Hawk’s Underground and THUG2. Will future titles maintain their original identity, or will they be reworked to fit a more streamlined design philosophy?
One thing is certain: Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 is shaping up to be a major moment for the franchise, for better or worse. The remake is set to launch as a day-one release on Xbox Game Pass in July, making it more accessible than ever. Whether the changes will be embraced or criticized remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure—this is a conversation that’s far from over.
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