The birdman is back. Honestly, if you told me two years ago that we’d be talking about a Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3 + 4 release in 2026, I would’ve called you a dreamer. We all remember the heartbreak of 2022. Vicarious Visions, the geniuses who nailed the first remake, got swallowed up by the Blizzard machine. It felt like the franchise was dead in the water.
Then 2025 happened.
Activision pulled a total 180 and handed the reins to Iron Galaxy. You might know them from Rumbleverse or their technical wizardry on various ports. They didn't just polish some old textures; they fundamentally changed how the fourth game plays. And that’s where the internet started fighting.
The THPS 3 + 4 Controversy: Remake or Reimagining?
Most people expected a 1:1 carbon copy of the original 2002 experience. They didn't get it.
The biggest point of contention? The timer. In the original Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4, Neversoft ditched the two-minute limit. You could skate around the College or Alcatraz at your own pace, talking to NPCs to start missions. It was the birth of the "open world" skater.
Iron Galaxy went a different way.
For the Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3 + 4 collection, they unified the mechanics. Everything runs on the classic two-minute heat system. If you’re playing the THPS 4 levels, you’re back on the clock. Some purists hate this. They feel it strips the identity of the fourth game. But if you’ve actually spent time with the 2025 release, you’ll notice something. The maps are denser. The "Lazy River" in the new Waterpark map is basically a high-speed infinite combo loop that wouldn't have worked with the old mission-giver setup.
It’s faster. It’s sweatier.
What’s actually in the box?
The game dropped in July 2025, and by now in early 2026, the meta is pretty much settled. You’re getting:
- Every single level from THPS 3 and 4.
- The "Waterpark" and "Mojave Desert" maps—entirely new additions.
- A roster that mixes 90s legends with modern killers like Rayssa Leal and Yuto Horigome.
- The return of Bam Margera (after a lot of behind-the-scenes drama and a literal "900" from Tony to make it happen).
Why the New Game+ Mode is the Secret MVP
If you’re just finishing the career mode and putting the controller down, you’re doing it wrong. The 2026 community is obsessed with the New Game+ mode.
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This isn’t just "play it again but harder." It introduces "streamlined goals" that feel more like Tony Hawk's Underground (THUG) than the arcade originals. You can build your skater's stats beyond the original caps. Also, the inclusion of the Doom Slayer as a secret character is just weird enough to work. Seeing a space marine pull a Christ Air over a cruise ship is the kind of "nonsense" that made the original games great.
Technical Performance on Switch 2 and Beyond
We have to talk about the hardware. While the PS5 and Xbox Series X versions look crisp at 4K, the real surprise was the Nintendo Switch 2 version that launched shortly after the initial reveal.
Iron Galaxy used Unreal Engine 4 for this project. On the older Switch, the 1+2 remake was a miracle of optimization. On the Switch 2, it’s a different beast. We’re seeing consistent 60fps even in the complex Airport and Tokyo levels.
The lighting effects on the "drained-out lazy river" in the Waterpark map are particularly impressive. You can see the rust on the slides and the individual tags of graffiti. It feels lived-in.
The Music Problem (and Solution)
Soundtracks are the soul of this franchise. Most of the CKY and AC/DC tracks made the cut, but licensing is a nightmare in the mid-2020s. To fix the gaps, the game includes a "Legacy Radio" feature. If you have the right subscriptions, it pulls in your own playlists. It’s a bit of a workaround, but hearing 96 Quite Bitter Beings while gapping over the baggage carousels is non-negotiable.
What Really Happened with Vicarious Visions?
There’s a common misconception that Activision hated the 1+2 remake. That’s false. It sold three million copies faster than any other game in the series.
The reality was corporate reshuffling. Blizzard needed bodies for Diablo IV and Overwatch 2. Vicarious Visions (now Blizzard Albany) was simply the most talented "support" team they had. Tony Hawk himself went on the record in late 2024 saying he’d been "talking to Activision again." He knew the fans were loud. The 25th-anniversary push was the catalyst that got the 3+4 project out of "cancelled" status and into Iron Galaxy’s hands.
Actionable Insights for New Players
If you’re picking this up today, don't just mash buttons. The skill ceiling has moved.
- Learn the Wallplant: Unlike the original THPS 3, you have all the modern moves. Use the wallplant to keep combos alive when you run out of rail.
- Toggle the Timer: Check the options. You can actually extend the career timer up to an hour in certain modes if you miss the "free-roam" vibe of the original THPS 4.
- Find the Letters: The "SKATE" letters are in different spots than you remember. Iron Galaxy moved them to account for the better verticality in the 2025 engine.
- Custom Skaters Matter: The stat points you earn in the "Create-A-Skater" mode carry over to the online competitive rooms, which are currently dominated by players using high-speed "manual" builds.
The future of the series is looking stable for the first time in a decade. There are already whispers about a Tony Hawk’s Underground (THUG) collection for 2027. For now, get back to the Warehouse. Those high scores won't beat themselves.