Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 on Nintendo Switch 2: Upgrades, Performance, and Known Issues

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 Makes Its Mark on Nintendo Switch 2: A Closer Look at Upgrades and Performance Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4, the latest installment in the celebrated skateboarding franchise, has officially launched in early access across all major gaming platforms, including the newly released Nintendo Switch 2.

Developed by Iron Galaxy, this port aims to deliver the nostalgia and gameplay fans love on Nintendo’s current-gen hardware, while providing meaningful performance improvements over the Nintendo Switch 1 iteration.

With a strong legacy behind both the series and developer, expectations for technical upgrades on the Switch 2 version have been high. Technical Enhancements: Resolution, Load Times, and Frame Rate Players familiar with the aging Nintendo Switch 1 hardware will immediately notice the jump in technical fidelity on Switch 2.

According to a comprehensive analysis by the YouTube channel SwitchUp, the Nintendo Switch 2 version boasts noticeably sharper image quality, benefitting from a higher display resolution and leveraging the device’s enhanced processing power for snappier load times.

Levels feature increased detail, bringing the skateparks to life with an added layer of visual polish.

One major gameplay upgrade is the improved frame rate.

While Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 on Switch 1 is capped at 30 frames per second, the Switch 2 port strives for a smoother experience by aiming for 60 frames per second—a target it hits for most in-game sequences, especially when using the Switch 2’s powerful VRR (variable refresh rate) functionality.

This translates into more responsive controls and a perceptibly smoother gameplay feel, particularly evident in handheld mode, where the differences in image quality between the two consoles are less pronounced but overall playability is enhanced. Limitations and Known Issues Despite these advancements, players looking for a truly transformative upgrade may find the parity between both versions surprising.

Iron Galaxy’s port, while more visually refined, does not appear to push the Switch 2 hardware to its absolute limits.

In docked mode, some instances of slowdown persist, which is an unfortunate setback considering the technical capabilities of Nintendo’s latest console.

Furthermore, reports from members of the Nintendo Wire editorial team, including Jason Ganos, indicate that crashes are currently more common on the Switch 2, particularly when loading Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4 levels—a problem not found on the previous generation Switch. Another notable enhancement for the Nintendo Switch 2 version is HDR (high dynamic range) support, which offers more vibrant and lifelike colors compared to Switch 1.

However, the implementation has so far received tepid feedback, drawing comparisons to similar HDR performance in other recent Switch 2 releases like Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess. What to Expect Moving Forward Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 enters the Nintendo Switch 2 library as a visually upgraded and more responsive port, delivering faster loading times, improved resolution, and higher frame rates for fans of the franchise.

However, the presence of technical hiccups and instability means that further updates from Iron Galaxy will be awaited by early adopters.

Players considering a purchase may wish to monitor upcoming patches that promise to address crashes and performance issues.

For now, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 stands as a strong, but not flawless, addition to the Nintendo Switch 2’s growing lineup of third-party titles.

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