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Activision Disclaimer: The manufacturer provided NewTechReview with a unit of this product for review. Reviewed by Scott R. Garrigus | ||
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 Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 Deluxe Edition is a love letter to the golden era of arcade skateboarding games, a meticulously crafted remake that not only recaptures the magic of its PlayStation 2 roots but also brings it roaring into 2025 with modern flair. Combining two of the most beloved entries in the franchise, the Deluxe Edition delivers the same thrill and satisfaction of the originals. Whether you’re a longtime fan who grew up with these games or a newcomer curious about why the series became a cultural phenomenon, THPS 3 + 4 Deluxe Edition will definitely interest you.Enhanced Nostalgia From the moment you load it up, the game radiates nostalgia. Booting into Foundry, Airport, or San Francisco feels like stepping back into a familiar dream, only this time everything is sharper and more vibrant. The visual overhaul is impressive without being overbearing. Ramps, rails, and collectibles remain easy to spot even when you’re blasting through a high-speed combo. Lighting, textures, and environmental details have all been enhanced to modern standards, yet the spirit of the original level designs remains intact. Steam rises from the machinery in Foundry, while San Francisco’s golden sunset creates a stunning backdrop for tricks. The remake’s controls are a masterclass in refinement. Building on the excellent gameplay foundation established in the THPS 1 + 2 remake, THPS 3 + 4 feels responsive and fluid. Whether you’re linking manuals between grinds, popping a kickflip on your way to a quarter pipe, or chaining together a massive score run, every movement feels precise and satisfying. The core two-minute run format from the original trilogy remains the backbone of the experience, creating a perfect balance of urgency and replayability. That “just one more try” feeling is alive and well here. THPS 4's Updates One of the most significant design choices in the Deluxe Edition is unifying THPS 4’s levels under this same timed-run format. The original THPS 4 adopted a more open, mission-based structure, which some fans loved for its laid-back pacing and variety of objectives. In the remake, these levels have been reimagined to fit the tighter, goal-based style of the first three games. While purists may miss the original free-roam feel, the decision results in a more cohesive package that flows smoothly between all the included maps. And for players who prefer a more relaxed approach, the game offers the ability to extend run timers up to 60 minutes, creating a hybrid experience that nods to THPS 4’s original spirit. Original and New Maps The level lineup itself is a mix of beautifully updated classics and exciting new additions. In addition to remade fan favorites like Los Angeles, Suburbia, and Alcatraz, Iron Galaxy has introduced three entirely new maps: Movie Studio, Waterpark, and Pinball. Impressively, these fresh additions feel completely at home alongside the classics. Movie Studio is a sprawling set-piece filled with ramps, rails, and prop-filled backdrops that encourage creative lines. Waterpark offers flowing pools and slippery slides that make for unique combo opportunities. Pinball stands out as the most eccentric, placing players inside a life-sized pinball machine with rails and ramps doubling as flippers and bumpers. Career Mode Progression in the Deluxe Edition strikes a satisfying balance between challenge and accessibility. Career Mode tasks you with completing goals across each level — from hitting Sick Scores and collecting S-K-A-T-E letters to finding hidden decks and secret areas. These goals are cleverly placed to encourage exploration and mastery of each park’s layout. Completing all standard goals unlocks Pro Goals, a set of tougher challenges that push your skills further, such as maintaining a single combo while collecting C-O-M-B-O letters or locating well-hidden collectibles. For those seeking the ultimate test, completing every Pro Goal unlocks Solo Tour, a mode that allows each skater to tackle goals individually, much like the structure of the original games. Customization The skater roster is equally impressive. Nearly every professional from the original THPS 3 and 4 makes a return, joined by a new generation of talent. From legends like Tony Hawk and Rodney Mullen to rising stars representing today’s skate culture, the lineup feels both nostalgic and forward-looking. Customization fans will also appreciate the Create-A-Skater mode, which lets you craft your own character with a variety of outfits, decks, and accessories. Smashing Soundtrack The soundtrack is another highlight, staying true to the series’ tradition of mixing punk, rock, hip-hop, and alternative tracks into a high-energy playlist. Many iconic songs from the original games return, joined by fresh tracks from both returning and new artists. The result is a playlist that feels authentic to the series while still fresh enough to stand alongside modern releases. A nice touch is how the game adds reverb to the music whenever you activate your special meter, making big tricks feel even more intense. Multiplayer and Create-A-Park Multiplayer in THPS 3 + 4 Deluxe Edition is pure arcade fun, offering both classic and new modes to keep players competing. Returning favorites like Trick Attack, Combo Mambo, and Graffiti capture the competitive spirit of the originals, while the new HAWK mode adds an inventive twist. In HAWK, players take turns hiding letters in hard-to-reach spots during the Hide phase, then hunt for each other’s letters in the Seek phase. This mode plays brilliantly on both large maps like Waterpark, where hiding spots are abundant, and compact arenas like Airport, where letter hunts become frantic races. Free Skate mode also allows up to eight players to hang out, practice, or just mess around in any level without the pressure of a timer. Create-A-Park returns in fine form, more powerful and intuitive than ever. The editor offers a vast selection of ramps, rails, scenery pieces, and interactive objects, along with the ability to place goals and collectibles. Players can share their creations across platforms, opening the door for a thriving community of custom content. Early creations already range from faithful recreations of other Tony Hawk levels to imaginative, theme-based parks that push the boundaries of what’s possible. This mode ensures nearly endless replay value as long as the community remains active. Performance across platforms is strong, with smooth frame rates and minimal load times, though a few minor bugs have been reported, such as occasional camera glitches and brief black screens. None of these issues are game-breaking, and they’re likely to be addressed in future updates. Even as they stand, they’re small inconveniences in an otherwise polished experience. Skateboarding Heaven Ultimately, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 Deluxe Edition succeeds because it understands what makes this series special: tight, responsive gameplay; addictive goal-chasing; iconic level design; and a killer soundtrack. It manages to modernize the presentation and expand the content without losing sight of the pure fun at the core. For veterans, it’s a warm return to a series that shaped gaming memories and skateboarding culture alike. For newcomers, it’s an accessible, endlessly replayable introduction to one of the most celebrated sports game franchises ever made. Whether you’re grinding rails in Suburbia, launching over gaps in Los Angeles, or discovering the perfect combo line in a community-made park, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 Deluxe Edition delivers the same rush that made these games legends. For more information, visit: * Amazon: Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 * Website: TonyHawkTheGame.com |
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