Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 is shaping up to be a largely nostalgic trip down memory lane, with a few exceptions. The fourth entry won't feature free roam, which is certainly a blow. Another is the predictably controversial decision to remove or change classic tunes from its soundtrack, including hits from Alien Ant Farm, Iron Maiden, and our own beloved AFI.
Activision released more info about its upcoming tracklist late last week, and fans quickly noted a few glaring exceptions (thanks, VGC). And while the knee-jerk reaction might be to blame the publisher, it seems the decision to remix the tracklist was down to Mr Hawk himself. On Instagram, Tony wrote:
"It was my choice to pick some different songs by the same artists featured in THPS3+4 OST. I’m hoping that discovery is half the fun and a big reason that these soundtracks resonated in the first place. So, listen and enjoy the ride. More to come… both old and new."
Another wave of songs is yet to be released, so we'll withhold our pitchforks until we have the complete tracklist. The Birdman has seemingly been very hands-on with the upcoming remastered collection. Apparently, the pro skater put his foot down, demanding that Activision do whatever was necessary to ensure that troubled CKY, Jackass stuntman and skating icon, Bam Margera, be included.
What do you think of Tony Hawk's thinking? Was it the exposure to new music, rather than the specific songs themselves, that made the original run of games so special? Get ready to riot in the comments section below.
[source x.com, via videogameschronicle.com]
Comments 29
You know what? That's fair. It also gives a reason to return to the old games.
Nice to see Fontaine's DC on the list. I don't feel like they've made it in big in the US yet as they deserve. 👍
Vince Staples is nice 🔥
He's right that discovery was a big part of the original soundtracks.
Why not both?
One wonders if the real reason is because they could not secure the original rights.
They’ve redesigned THPS4 and they’ve changed the soundtracks.
I’ll stick with the originals thanks
Although I definitely did play 3&4 back when they released, I don't really remember that much about them, especially not the music.
My core memories are from 1&2, and not because they've already been remastered, but because I just sunk alot more hours into them.
Although it sounds like a few songs and various modes will be missing, they will still almost feel like new games to me as I just don't remember much about them..
I very much preferred the 2 minute timer type levels and it kinda lost its charm for me when the later games after 1-4 went to more of a free roam style.
People want to play these largely because of nostalgia, if you remove the things that helped made them nostalgic what's the point? Why not just make a new game if you really want people listening to new stuff?
I mean I just used to turn off all the hip hop anyway so it’s not a big deal. 100 Gecs are good though. Like them.
"96 Quite Bitter Beings" is probably the song I think about when I think about this game. That and Bodyjar's "Not The Same". If one or both are axed, I don't think I'd be kidding myself by saying that would hurt my hype even just a tiny bit.
"Boys in the better land" by Fontaines DC absolutely class track from debut album "Dogrel"
Nostalgia is the main point of the games, it certainly isn’t the gameplay. Why change the music when that was such a big part of it?
@rjejr Starburster is a JAM!
Most of the soundtrack is same though isn’t it? Unfortunately different people will have different faves and if your faves are missing it won’t trigger those memories. I’d have added to the soundtrack and not removed if that was legally possible.
@Jrs1 they’re from my area am bemused by their success. These groups aren’t very dewd am surprised the birdman hasn’t got Radio Birdman on there. Don’t feed Phil Jr.
Idc I usually turn every song I don’t know or like off in the playlist anyways.. I won’t buy this steaming pile of crap.. THPS 4 was one of my favorites cuz it didn’t have a time limit and for some reason they decided to add one.. good job Tony and crew
Could it be possible you could just create a list of the OG songs on Spotify or Apple Music and just stream them whilst playing instead? Not bothered either way, personally, but could be a workaround for those that are?
Shows how out of touch I am - I only recognise Run DMC and Iron Maiden
While I don't know if I agree with his reasoning it's not too big of an issue. After all we live in the age of Spotify so it's easy enough to get those classics bumpin while playing. Plus they got the CKY song in there anyway so they got the one I most associate with these games.
I mean I’m just going to mute the audio tracks and load Spotify up anyway.
@Veritas7Ax both of those songs were announced in Wave 1
LifeGirl wrote:
Oh of course, that's always the main reason when it comes to anything to do with music being used in different media.
If they haven't even revealed the full soundtrack there's not much point discussing tracks that have been removed when we don't fully know yet.
It's fine, we have streaming sites now so you can just put an og playlist if you want to but I'm just gonna listen to whatever they put.
Or, just leave the songs in the soundtrack and add these new ones?
The original soundtrack was such an important part of those games, so replacing songs in the remaster is too much of a change. They could make the new songs optional additions, or put them in a new game, but removing some of the originals is a mistake. Nostalgia is a large part of the appeal of these remasters.
The og set list should have been an option. I love ya Tony. But the game's og set list is half the charm of these remakes
@Dislecksier
Sweet, good to know, thanks. Definitely missed that.
@LifeGirl But as was said, they're often by the same bands so it'd be the same rights. And even if it's different bands, a lot are signed to the same label and it's via the labels they'd get the rights. That said, you're still right that having the old and new tracks would be the obvious best choice. Maybe they're gonna do an original track DLC.
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