In response to fan concerns, Activision has now confirmed that Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 won't ship with the free roam structure of the original game when it launches alongside Pro Skater 3 on PS5, PS4 this July. The fanbase first caught wind of a potential overhaul to Pro Skater 4's design when the PS Store description mentioned the "epic two-minute format" in relation to the fourth title, and now the change is official.
Communicating to Kotaku, the publisher confirms all the levels in Pro Skater 4 have been changed to fit the two-minute format of the first three games, and each will feature a list of challenges to complete. This represents a significant structural alteration, as the original title allowed you to freely roam the maps on your skateboard and find the challenges in your own time. This won't be the case when the PS5, PS4 remake arrives in the summer.
You'll still have the option to freely skate around each stage and pop some tricks, but you won't be able to complete the challenges associated with each level in this mode. With the fourth entry seen as a bridge between the original Pro Skater titles and what the series would become on PS2 with Tony Hawk's Underground, the change has been a disappointment for the hardcore fanbase.
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 launches for PS5 and PS4 on 11th July 2025. How do you feel about this change, as either a returning fan or a newcomer? Post your thoughts in the comments below.
[source kotaku.com]
Comments 61
This sounds like a downgrade
Not really fussed, still getting it.
Annoying but expected.
That's such a disappointment, and makes no sense at all.
Such a bizarre decision. For €50, we're getting a THPS 3 remake plus a gutted, bare bones version of 4. Even though I'm glad they remade it at all, that isn't good enough at that price point.
Very happy with that decision.
Stupid, pointless decision.
I platinumed THPS 1+2, and I can't understand the implications of this until I see it. I guess this means they have different challenges in the levels than they originally did because there will now be the 2 minute time constraint? I don't view that as a problem, but I can understand that a fan of the original would not like the change.
So…it’s not the same game, then.
Glad I don’t play these games, think that would annoy me if I was a fan.
What an absolutely colossal sh*tshow. Just do 3 at that point and price it accordingly. This isn’t Pro Skater 4, this is 3 with bonus levels that aren’t designed for 2 minute runs at all. Super super disappointing, I was hyped for this at first, most exciting announcement of the year so far, but they’re trying as hard as possible to ruin that with some classic Activision hubris. Was killing VV worth it?
@zhoont Pro Skater 4’s approach meant we got incredibly creative goals in every single level like competitions on a flotilla, races, helping prisoners escape Alcatraz, feeding seals, doing a slalom on the Kona Snake Run and so forth, none of which are possible in the 2 minute format. Not to mention that every Pro got their own challenge designed around their career like Bob Burnquist getting a loop with a giant upside down gap that you did tricks between or Bam Margera getting a shopping trolley challenge down the Alcatraz switchback. Heaps of imagination down the toilet in favour of collecting SKATE and getting 100k. Genuinely look up videos of the goals from 4 and you’ll see why it’s such a leap forwards for the series.
4 is the only one of the Pro Skater titles we didn’t have growing up so this doesn’t bother me. But as someone who’s really into game design and offering flexible game options, this baffles me. Why not have a timer mode and a non-timer mode?
Regardless, this doesn’t change anything for me and I’m still hyped. But I can see why people who grew up playing 4 would be upset by this. It’s just a weird design decision.
I wanted them to make 3 an addon for 1+2 and do a proper remake of 4, but we get this. I ain't paying for this. If I pick it up it will either be when it's in single digits on sale or given away on PS+. It still might be good but it's not a full remake. Hopefully Skate won't suck so I can look forward to that this year.
@nessisonett Damn, I didn’t realize how much longer and crazier the goals were in Pro Skater 4 since I never played it. Why they’d get rid of all that is beyond me. Hopefully they find a way to keep most of it somehow.
@AinsleyE I also hope Skate won’t suck, it being free to play honestly doesn’t bother me because I’ve spent years playing Skate 3 as a sandbox and barely even remember the actual missions at this point.
It doesn't deserve to be called 3+4 anymore.
This legitimately changed me from a Day 1 purchase to a “maybe on a deep discount” purchase.
THPS4 was my first game in the series so I’m admittedly bias but 13 year old me discovering this game and putting me down the rabbit hole to discovering the whole series, is absolutely crushed. The free roam with all the voiced characters who gave you goals was part of this game’s vibe and charm.
My dreams of seeing the college professor tell me “You can spell! It’s a miracle…” in 4K are dead.
This blows. What were they thinking?
I am not paying full price for a downgrade. I will get deluxe when it drops to 20$ or below.
I’m surprised that back in the 90’s I aced these games, but with THPS1+2 I just couldn’t get back into it. But I’m glad that we’re seeing a resurgence in the franchise.
Why though? so essentially is not the same game everyone played back then so people buying it for nostalgia will be short changed.
Bad decision. Why on earth would you choose to redesign a fundamental gameplay aspect for what is supposed to be a remaster?
They can Pop Shove-It frankly.
I think I'll just keep my PS2 copies of these games.
I'm probably in a minority here but I really disliked the open world style Underground games, I always preferred the 2 minute format of the first few Pro Skater games.
So I see this as a positive thing.
TBH I would have been happy either way as I'm just pleased to be getting some new Tony Hawks games, but yeah I definitely don't feel it's a bad thing
@DadJKP the voice clip after the Ranger Bob missions saying ‘I told you he was EVIL’ has been something I’ve said to myself daily for no reason for nearly 25 years now.
Awful decision. Just completely took away my enthusiasm for the game.
My fave was always 3, played a bit of 4 but never really got into it, so this doesn't bother me at all really. Can't wait!
Activision cutting corners again
It will result in a new version of 4, so at least that's interesting? 4 was always a big disappointment to me, but I get why fans are annoyed. Just trying to find a silver lining.
It's a strange move. 4's levels were much larger, built to be played with no time limit, and they were filled with goals you'd trigger yourself — each of which necessitated two minutes. It sounds like the game's stages will have to be quite significantly truncated to fit the older style. It'll be interesting to see the result, but to fundamentally change the structure and level design of 4 — I get why some people are upset.
Man. What a letdown. Honestly a bit baffled. I figured at most they would just alter some of the dialog or something but instead they completely destroyed the way it was designed? Certainly a bold move to say the least.
It's such a shame as 4 was the first one the series I really loved. I liked 1-3 well enough but the open structure of 4 and the Underground games is what really pulled me into the series and felt like such a step up from 1-3. It doesn't bode well for the Underground games either if they would do a Underground 1+2 in the future.
Funny that in the PS1 version of both games, the 2 minutes system was featured. I only played those, so nothing new for me.
The 2 minute format feels like such an outdated mechanic. It was the major reason why I quit the 1+2 remake.
So I doubt I'll be getting this one.
I'm conflicted about this. From a personal standpoint I didn't like Tony Hawks 4 specifically because of the more open nature and the fact that they'd gotten rid of the two minute format. So for me the changes sound nice.
But at the same time, not being open as it originally was, a) this really isn't Tony Hawks 4, and b) the levels were designed to be explored at a more leisurely pace and so I don't know how they'll translate to a two minute format. It's a bit like when they remade Metal Gear Solid using MGS2's mechanics and it completely broke the game because the levels weren't designed with first person shooting in mind.
Still, I'll probably check this out since I love a bit of Tony Hawks, but I do get why some people are sour about it.
@JustinTimberlake It;'s not even corner cutting since they've redesigned the levels to make it work. if anything it's more effort.
I can understand why people like @nessisonett don't like this decision and several have made fair cases for that.
But to present the other side in good faith, like @Member_the_game I didn't like the format in THPS4, having to stop to talk to NPC's to get challenges completely broke up the lines, it ruined momentum and flow. Just let me SKATE!
Obviously it will depend how they do this, it could be terrible, but i'm cautiously optimistic this could be done well and be an overall improvement, I'm willing to keep an open mind at least. But it will be highly contentious regardless. It's a shame they didn't include BOTH options. Choice is good.
The only way to respond is to refuse to buy this. They cut corners like this because they expect everyone to consume mindlessly. Let it fail.
Nah, that's a deal-breaker, for me
I never really liked pro skater 4 much anyways as 3 is my favorite before we get into the underground series. But this is just kinda dumb. If this were the case just remake them separately or skip um both and go straight to underground.
No Bam Margera = no buy for me
Remember Vicarious pitched the 3+4 remake and Activision refused it.
Guess this was a cheaper version.
Activision clearly is aiming for a quick buck with this sequel.
@themightyant Apparently in Sonic Unleashed, the PS360 versions had a hub world where you'd physically walk around and accept missions from NPCs, whereas in the Wii/PS2 versions they were just broken down into menu lists and static images. Maybe they could go down a similar route here?
So much for an authentic remake of THPS4. I'll probably still buy it but I want to see some reviews first, and how THPS4 works with it's new 2-minute structure.
@Jimmer-jammer i guess it was a tossup between: the remake won't exist at all or the remake will have concessions to cut down the budget. i bet they picked the second option since they know that people will buy the remake for the third game anyways and they will turn a profit nontheless. just a little while ago, this project had been cancelled and was dead in the water, so its a miracle this is even getting a release in the first place.
Well thats a dissapointment
Yeah, absolutely zero interest in this now. What an utterly baffling decision. Removing the sole reason 4 (and THUG/2) is my favourite in the series. Really don't understand this at all.
@Porco That makes sense, though it fundamentally alters the experience enough for me to just not be interested. I’m sure it will still be a fun game but not for me, especially when the 1 and 2 Remake is still great.
I went from wait and see (because it's not VV) to deep sale. These things are supposed to add features not railroad you. I'm baffled.
In the article it says at launch so hopefully after launch we'll get a proper remake of Pro Skater 4
Take what made 4 unique and throw it in the toilet. We're basically getting THUG 2* versions of the game levels (IYKYK)
*Which is acceptable in THUG2 because it was a completely separate mode to story.
Well all my hype for the game has been flushed down the shi**a
@freddquadros That’s not true. THPS4 on PS1 had free roam and individual goals that you approached to start them, just replacing NPCs with static icons instead. Pro Skater 3 was still timed runs same as the PS2 version.
“Let’s make the remake with less features than the original”
Welcome to gaming in 2025!
Nothing beats Session 🛹
Then I wouldn't hold much hope if a underground 1 & 2 remake came out, they will botch those too, sometimes it's best to leave the past well alone, these new remakes imo are a quick soulless cash grab 😮💨😢
@Lowdefal two minute challenges vs free roam map sounds like cutting corners to me, this is the same company that can't be bothered to make designs anymore and are selling ai slop for Witcher 3 release day expansion prices when people used to get original designs for free in older titles.
Looks like it'll be based much more off of the PS1 versions of 3 & 4 then
As someone who emulates old games a lot and still has physical copies of all these, I'm quite fortunate that this doesn't bother me too much
When 4 dropped the biggest complaint was the format change. You can't please everyone. They are messing with nostalgia at this point tho
Having played 1, 2 and 3 to death I skipped 4 (because life) and only played a bit of Underground, so I've nothing to be upset about. I'm very much looking forward to this, pre order is in (saved a fiver, thanks HMV) and I'm keen to get my hands on it. Especially as it's out just before my birthday. I can appreciate those that spent time with the game being upset though.
I do have a copy of 4, and a PS2, I just haven't got around to making a 25 year old console play nice with a modern telly.... TBH I'm more inclined to go down the emulation route, which means I really need a GPU... 🙄
I'd like to personally thank all you playstation players for feeding Microsoft your cash. Thank you for enabling me to continue to enjoy day one games on gamepass 😉
The game looks good but I feel like for any game if your going to come out with them again leave in the major stuff in them in this case seeing that some of those maps were decently sized 2 min is not enough I will be waiting for a sale if it's anything like 1+2 it won't take long for the game to go down in price
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