Kinda Funny Gamescast: We Played Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4! – Episode Summary

Release Date: May 16, 2025

Hosts and Guests:

• Tim Gettys – Host of the Kinda Funny Gamescast.
• Jake Baldino – Known from Gameranx and Friends Per Second podcast.
• Stu Kimball – Editor of Skill Up and Friends for Seconds podcast.

Introduction and Guest Welcome

The episode kicks off with Tim Gettys welcoming listeners and introducing his guests:

• [00:29] Jake Baldino: "Hello boys. What's up? Thanks for having me."
• [00:45] Stu Kimball: "Thank you so much. Happy to be here."

Tim expresses his enthusiasm for having Jake and Stu on the show, highlighting their shared passion for gaming and specifically, the Tony Hawk franchise.

Brief Mention of AR Glasses

Before delving into the main topic, Tim and Jake share their newfound appreciation for AR glasses:

• [03:06] Jake Baldino: "It's literally just Ray Ban glasses with a display. Plug into your device, and you have a giant screen straight ahead."
• [06:54] Stu Kimball: "They figured it out. The form factor is getting better, and the price might come down."

Tim shares his transition from skepticism to becoming a convert, praising the ease of use and immersive experience provided by the latest AR glasses.

Main Topic: Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 Remakes

The core of the episode revolves around the gameplay experience of the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 and 4 remakes developed by Iron Galaxy.

Personal Histories with the Franchise

• Jake Baldino shares his journey starting with the Nintendo 64 version of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 and his progression through the series.

  • [09:06] Jake Baldino: "I started with Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 on the N64 and have played every single one since."

• Tim Gettys echoes Jake's sentiments, reminiscing about his own experiences and challenges with the franchise.

Gameplay Impressions and Features

The hosts discuss their initial impressions after playing the remakes:

• Graphics and Level Design:

  • [12:05] Jake Baldino: "The levels are recreated well, with more particle effects and crazy shit going on."

  • [16:00] Tim Gettys: "It's surprisingly gorgeous. 120 frames per second, HDR, and all the effects run smoothly."

• Career Mode Absence:

  • [13:44] Stu Kimball: "I didn't feel like I was missing out on anything. The two-minute timer is streamlined, and you can now set it up to 60 minutes."

  • [08:23] Stu Kimball: "I started with Tony Hawk's Underground 2... They tried to match Tony Hawk 4 to feel like three as a cohesive package."

• New Levels and Secret Areas:

  • [35:33] Stu Kimball: "Looking at secret levels from the past, places you can't go or are shut down, carries the same philosophy."

  • [36:01] Jake Baldino: "Water Park has that whimsical feel, going down a million slides with goofy fun factors."

• Soundtrack Enhancements:

  • [24:55] Tim Gettys: "The soundtrack feels fresh, with new songs from returning artists, giving a new take while honoring the originals."

  • [27:56] Stu Kimball: "They took deep cuts from tracks, making us fans of albums we might not have explored otherwise."

THPS Fest: A Celebration of the Franchise

The trio attended Tony Hawk's Pro Skater Fest, an event celebrating the game's cultural impact.

Event Highlights:

• Live Performances and Guests:

  • [40:25] Jake Baldino: "It was a small, intimate concert with fans, journalists, influencers, and legends like Bones Brigade."

  • [42:44] Stu Kimball: "Danny Brown was grateful to Tony Hawk for inspiring his music."

• Interactions with Tony Hawk and Celebrities:

  • Meeting Tony Hawk:

    • [47:56] Stu Kimball: "I met Tony Hawk, shook hands, and thanked him for the games that shaped my childhood."

  • Bam Margera Encounter:

    • [43:11] Jake Baldino: "Tim approached Bam Margera with a beer in hand, which led to an amusing and memorable interaction."

• Unique Experiences:

  • [49:32] Tim Gettys: "We encountered a man in a giant Tony the Tiger costume, leading to humorous interactions."

  • [50:43] Tim Gettys: "Despite some audio issues and loud environments, it was an unforgettable experience."

Soundtrack and Streaming Features

The hosts delve deeper into the game's music and streaming functionalities:

• Enhanced Soundtrack:

  • [25:14] Stu Kimball: "The soundtrack includes deeper cuts, introducing players to new music and fostering a connection with the culture."

• Streamer Mode Challenges:

  • [25:18] Jake Baldino: "Streamer mode replaces music with generic tracks, which was frustrating, prompting us to disable it to enjoy the original soundtrack."

• Quotes on Soundtrack:

  • [26:17] Tim Gettys: "Half of the songs returning from the originals are different, giving a fresh take while retaining familiar vibes."

Final Thoughts and Future Expectations

As the episode wraps up, the hosts share their excitement and expectations for the game's full release:

• Anticipation for New Features:

  • [54:24] Jake Baldino: "Looking forward to more career goals, multiplayer cross-play, and seamless performance from Iron Galaxy."

• Commitment to the Franchise:

  • [55:58] Jake Baldino: "I'm a sucker for buying it on all my devices. It's a testament to how much I love these games."

• Upcoming Content:

  • [56:30] Tim Gettys: "Stay tuned for our Andor screencast and the Nvidia-sponsored Doom stream featuring gameplay from Nick and Andy."

Conclusion and Where to Find the Hosts

The episode concludes with information on where listeners can connect with the hosts and guests:

• Stu Kimball:

  • [55:36] Stu Kimball: "Find me on the Skill Up YouTube channel and Friends Per Second podcast."

• Jake Baldino:

  • [55:58] Jake Baldino: "Search Jake Baldino or visit YouTube.com/jakebaldino for more content."

• Tim Gettys: Encourages listeners to follow their various shows and stay tuned for future episodes.

Notable Quotes:

• Jake Baldino [03:06]: "They look like Ray Ban glasses but have a screen that gives you a giant TV view."
• Stu Kimball [14:55]: "Water Park feels like a secret level ripped from the source code of the original games."
• Tim Gettys [16:00]: "Seeing the game run at 120 frames per second with HDR and all the effects just looks and feels awesome."

Summary:

In this episode of the Kinda Funny Gamescast, Tim Gettys, alongside guests Jake Baldino and Stu Kimball, dives deep into their experiences with the remastered versions of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 and 4 by Iron Galaxy. They discuss the enhanced graphics, streamlined gameplay, and the thoughtful preservation of the original game's essence. The conversation also highlights their attendance at the exclusive THPS Fest, where they celebrated the franchise's legacy with live performances and interactions with key personalities like Tony Hawk and Bam Margera. Additionally, the hosts explore the game's refreshed soundtrack and express their excitement for future updates and features. Concluding the episode, listeners are provided with ways to connect with the hosts and stay engaged with upcoming content. This episode is a nostalgic yet fresh exploration of a beloved gaming series, perfect for both longtime fans and newcomers alike.