Tony Hawks Pro Skater 3 & 4 Switch 2 Review
Version Reviewed: Nintendo Switch 1 & 2
The Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater franchise has come a long way since we’d crowd around a friend’s PlayStation, taking turns on the demo disc, passing the controller after every bail, cheering each other on through sketchy landings and miracle combos. I don’t remember every detail of those early days, but I do remember the Canada level in THPS3, played over and over on my GameCube. Now, more than two decades later, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 is back, fully rebuilt and finally grinding its way onto the Switch 2. This isn’t just a re-release, it’s a revival of two of the most influential entries in the series, brought to life with modern visuals, online multiplayer, and performance that keeps up with your reflexes. What’s it Like? Put on your baggy pants, pick out some tunes, and rise and grind as we review Tony Hawks Pro Skater 3 & 4 for Nintendo Switch 2.
This review covers both Switch 1 & 2 versions of the game. The Switch 1 footage and comparisons will appear later in the review, and the footage you see in the video is mostly on Switch 2.
Tour Mode, Tricks, and Tunes
Tony Hawks Pro Skater 3 & 4 brings back the bulk of the original content from both games, including every major level, the full trick set, and a robust lineup of skaters, both classic and modern. I spent my time jumping between Tour Mode, the familiar 2-minute challenge setup, and Free Skate, ticking off objectives one moment and just vibing through levels the next. One of the biggest shakeups is how Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4 has been restructured. Originally known for its open-ended, free-roaming format, it’s now been folded into the traditional challenge-based system used across the rest of the remake.
Some fans might see this as a step backward, but I actually think it works surprisingly well here. The tighter structure keeps the momentum flowing, and the bite-sized challenge design fits naturally within the game’s rhythm. Create-a-Skater and Create-a-Park modes return too, offering a generous toolkit to build both your ideal skater and your dream skatepark. I gave both a go and was impressed with how easy it was to get something fun off the ground. I was even more impressed by how seamlessly online multiplayer worked as cross-platform matchmaking was a breeze, I teamed up with a friend in a private match, then dropped into public games with minimal fuss after the initial load-in.
Gameplay itself is exactly what you’d hope for. It somehow manages to feel both faithful and fresh, like picking up a board you haven’t ridden in years and instantly remembering the balance. Manuals, reverts, and spine transfers are all here and flow as smoothly as ever. Iron Galaxy deserves real credit for capturing the weight, speed, and snap of the originals while making it approachable for newcomers. There is also a new Mods system, which improves accessibility and gameplay balance, but I’ll touch more on that later. Rounding things out is a fantastic soundtrack. Sure, a few licensed tracks are missing, but the mix of returning songs and new additions covers a great spread of punk, rock, and hip hop.
Visuals & Performance: Fresh Paint, Mixed Results
Visually, Tony Hawks Pro Skater 3 & 4 follows in the footsteps of the 1+2 remake, offering a fresh lick of paint that brings these classic levels to life. The environments pop with a rich colour palette and plenty of over-the-top lighting effects that add just the right amount of wow factor without feeling out of place. From the snowy ramps of Canada to the rusted-out Foundry, everything feels bold, crisp, and carefully reimagined. Character models for some reason, seem a little off… like they are very soft and the polygons haven’t rendered correctly. While passable, they sit in that awkward middle ground, not quite realistic, not quite stylised. Still, once you’re moving, it’s the environments that shine, and they more than carry the visual presentation.
On Switch 2: Just About Flawless
On Switch 2, performance is smooth and steady for the most part, targeting 60 frames per second and usually hitting it with confidence. In my testing, the only real issue I had was a single crash to the home screen, but that happened just as a new update rolled out. After that patch, the game ran cleanly, and I haven’t encountered any problems since. It’s fast, fluid, and it matches the responsiveness the series is known for, whether docked or in handheld mode.
On Switch 1: Grinding…
Switch 1, unfortunately, doesn’t fare nearly as well. While the game aims for 30fps, it struggles to maintain it, with some levels, like L.A., dipping so low it borders on unplayable. These speed wobbles are noticeable even in slower sections and become genuinely distracting during fast-paced combos or complex lines. It’s a frustrating experience, especially when the rest of the game is so well-crafted. Hopefully it’s something that can be addressed in a post-launch patch, but as it stands, the Switch 1 version feels like it’s barely holding on.
Mods & Accessibility: Skating for Everyone
For my skater bois and girls looking into accessibility, Tony Hawks Pro Skater 3 & 4 has a solid range of options that make it more approachable without dulling the fun. The new Mods system works a lot like old-school cheat codes, letting you toggle features like perfect balance for grinds and manuals, or boosting score multipliers so you can focus more on flow than precision. You can even slow down time, a great option if you’re learning the ropes or just want to nail that final trick in your combo.
Not every mod is available in every mode, leaderboards and ranked play still require a level playing field, but for casual sessions or campaign runs, it’s a fantastic way to tailor the experience to your comfort level. There’s also good flexibility in visual clarity. You can adjust the UI to reduce clutter or increase readability, which makes a big difference when you’re zipping through a combo-heavy run. As always, I recommend further research to see if Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 suits your needs.
Plenty of Tricks
At $90 AUD, there’s a lot of game here for fans of the franchise. You’re getting two full campaigns, a full suite of tricks, online multiplayer, and robust creation tools, all built on a strong gameplay foundation that still holds up today. For those with the nostalgia, or anyone craving a polished arcade-style sports game, there are plenty of lines to grind on. It’s worth noting the version differences, though… On Switch 2, Tony Hawks Pro Skater 3 & 4 is digital-only; even the retail version is just a code in a box. Meanwhile, the Switch 1 version comes on a physical cartridge, but still requires a hefty 13GB download. There’s also no upgrade path between the two. So if you want the best Nintendo version of the game, you’ll need to go fully digital on Switch 2.
Still Got It
Tony Hawks Pro Skater 3 & 4 doesn’t just ride the nostalgia wave, it earns its place with sharp controls, satisfying flow, and a clear love for what made these games great in the first place. The addition of Tour Mode across both games brings a consistent structure that works surprisingly well, even for THPS4’s more open levels. It might upset a few purists, but I had a blast ticking off challenges and revisiting classic maps with a modern twist.
Performance on Switch 2 is strong, with responsive gameplay and visuals that pop, while the Mods system makes the experience more inclusive without watering things down. The only real downside is the state of the Switch 1 version where technical issues there are hard to ignore, and I’d struggle to recommend it unless you’re desperate to play and can’t upgrade just yet. Still, for those ready to drop in on Switch 2, this is a fantastic, content-rich revival that sticks the landing far more often than it stumbles.
So, What’s It Like? Tony Hawks Pro Skater 3 & 4 is like the brilliant 1 & 2 remaster, but bigger and better.
In the interest of full disclosure, a review code of the Switch 2 version of Tony Hawks Pro Skater 3 & 4 was provided for review, but this doesn’t influence my score.
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