Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4launched last week, and for longtime gamers, it’s a fun flashback to an era where extreme sports games were some of the most exciting titles around. DespiteTony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4making some controversial changes to the original games, this remake still offers a lot to celebrate, especially with its roster of skaters.
The genesis of skateboarding was back in the 1950s, but Tony Hawk’s influence in the 90s really kickstarted a skate revolution. With theTHPSfranchise, skateboarding became a mainstream sport. Skating had a huge influence on pop culture. From shows likeJackassandViva La Bamto the long legacy of Tony Hawk-based video games afterTHPS, likeTony Hawk’s UndergroundandTony Hawk’s American Wasteland, the late 90s and early 2000s were a turning point for the sport. This era brought forth plenty of skate celebrities, andTHPS 3+4’s skater lineupis a great example of how the sport has evolved since the firstTHPSentry.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 Blends the Old Generation With the New
The Return of Some of Skating’s Most Notable Veterans
For those ready to take a trip down memory lane,THPS 3+4features plenty of classic nameswho helped shape the sport in the late 90s and early 2000s. Aside from the obvious, Tony Hawk, pro skaters like Bucky Lasek, Kareem Campbell, Chad Muska, and Rodney Mullen have gone on to be skating legends. The entire roster is a meaningful reminder of who helped make theTHPSfranchise so successful.
The genesis of skateboarding was back in the 1950s, but Tony Hawk’s influence in the 90s really kickstarted a skate revolution.
Whether one preferred playing as their favorite pro skater or was more fond of the custom character builder,THPSis the franchise that it is because of the skating stars that were put in the spotlight.THPS 3+4may differ from the original games in some big ways, but the return of these skaters is a big dose of nostalgia.
Bam Margera is included inTHPS 3+4as an unlockable character.
THPS 3+4 Makes Way for a New Generation of Skaters
Not every skater on the list is new toTony Hawk-branded games. Nyjah Huston’s first game appearance was inProject 8back in 2006. He’s hardly a newcomer, but he’s definitely been one of the most notable faces of the 21st century’s skate stars.
Names like Chloe Covell and Zion Wright are exciting additions to the lineup, too, with the former being only 15-years-old.The legacy of the Tony Hawk gamesnot only made skating mainstream, it introduced a generation of gamers to the sport, influencing many of them to pick up a board for the first time.
THPS 3+4’s other unlockable skaters include Andy Anderson, Birdman, Doom Slayer, Michelangelo fromTMNT, Officer Dick, and Revenant.
In Two Decades, Skateboarding Has Reached New Heights
Skateboarding may not have the same chokehold on pop culture that it did back in the early 2000s, but it has grown into a well-respected sport. In the time that has passed since the firstTHPSgame, skateboarding has made it to the Olympics, and it wasn’t that long ago, either. Skateboarding debuted at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, marking a major milestone.The launch ofTHPS 3+4honors the legacy of classic skaters, but it also showcases plenty of fresh talent that is continuing to push the sport forward.
