Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4was one of the highlightgames confirmed during the Switch 2Nintendo Direct. It’s no surprise the game’s coming to Nintendo’s highly anticipated sequel console, as it’s also releasing for the Switch 1, but the trailer shown offered something else. Near the end of the trailer, it shows theTony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3level Skater Island and reveals a secret area into Bikini Bottom fromSpongeBob SquarePants.
Iron Galaxy’s upcoming remaster has received criticism over several features, and even I was unsure aboutpre-ordering the game. With thisSpongeBob SquarePantscollaboration, however, I have to pick this game up. As an old-schoolSpongeBobfan growing up in the early to mid-2000s, I feelthis collaboration fits so well, and hopefully, there’s more to it than just a secret area.
At First, I Wasn’t Looking Forward To Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4
Missing Skaters And The Career Mode Was A Dealbreaker
After hearing about all the initial details inTony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4, I wasn’t keen on buying the game, especially as someone who still owns an Xbox copy of3and4, along with a modded original Xbox ready to play. Two major pro skaters initially appeared to be missing: Bam Margera and Mike Vallely.
Bam was in all the NeversoftTony Hawkgames fromPro Skater 3all the way to 2007’sProving Ground, so it was a bummer to see him go. However, according toThe Nine Clubpodcast (viaVGC),Bam was added at Tony Hawk’s request at the very last minute. While official confirmation on the subject remains to be seen, the situation might be looking up.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 Has Me Excited That My Favorite Game In The Franchise Could Be Next
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 has officially been announced, and I am hoping this trend of remakes will continue with my favorite game in the series.
The other dealbreaker that made me just want to play the original was themissing career mode inTony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4. The big new feature that madePro Skater 4a huge innovative entry into the series was the career mode, cutting the two-minute clock. All the levels were designed around the new career mode, as they were much bigger, and making it the same two-minute run not onlyremoves what madePro Skater 4specialbut also breaks the game a bit.
I’m Definitely Buying Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 Now With This New SpongeBob Collab
Possible SpongeBob Secret Skaters Is An Offer I Can’t Refuse
One thing that people also wondered aboutTony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4was the secret skaters. TheTony Hawkfranchise is famous for its secret characters, with3and4having the likes of Darth Maul, Jango Fett, Wolverine, and even Doomguy. While Doomguy is returning,the return of other characters is highly questionable, given the licenses involved and the fact that Spider-Man got cut fromPro Skater 1+2. However, the Switch 2 Announcement Trailer showed a sweet taste of what’s to come with aSpongeBob SquarePantscollaboration.
Doomguy/Doom Slayer is only available in theTony Hawk’s Pro Skater3+4 Digital Deluxe Edition.
The newSpongeBob SquarePants-themed secret area inside the Skater Island level. This collaboration fits like a glove as both franchises were incredibly popular in the early to mid-2000s, with both fan communities considering the era as the series' peak. It takes some money or serious negotiating to include a licensed property like this,and surely, it can’t stop at just a secret area. Considering that Activision included thisSpongeBobcollaboration at the end, it has to mean something.
A full-blownSpongeBob SquarePantslevel or, better yet, playable skaterslike SpongeBob, Patrick, or Squidward would push this game over the edgeand mitigate all the downsides. If the game commits to the concept, I’ll be a lot more excited to buy it, as being able to play as SpongeBob is something one can’t say about the classic titles. Marvel characters, music artists, and even Shrek were playable in theTony Hawkfranchise, but never SpongeBob. The pure awesomeness of that makesTony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4irresistible.
