Tony Hawk Pro Skater 4 (GBA)

Info About Tony Hawk Pro Skater 4 (GBA)

I’ve always been a big fan of how Tony Hawk Pro Skater 4 on the GBA captures that thrill of nailing combos, even on a tiny handheld screen. Instead of the 3D playgrounds you might know from consoles, this version rolls out in a cool side-scrolling style, where you zip through each level hitting ramps, rails, and all sorts of street fixtures. It’s surprisingly deep when you start stringing tricks together—you rack up points, keep an eye on your special meter, and chase high scores like there’s no tomorrow.

What really sold me was how intuitive the controls feel. You’ve got your basic ollies and grabs mapped to a couple of buttons, and pulling off manuals or lip tricks comes down to timing rather than wrestling with a million inputs. The developers added a handful of skater favorites from the series, each with their own tweak of speed or trick power, so it’s fun to switch up styles if you want to focus on massive vert grabs or super smooth lines.

The missions in Tony Hawk 4 GBA aren’t just “find the tape” again—they mix in rival showdowns where you have to beat another skater’s score, collection tasks like rounding up scattered items, and score thresholds in locked-off areas. Between levels, you get these little text-based cutscenes that give you a quick laugh or a goofy challenge from one of the pros; it’s a small touch, but it really keeps you invested as you bounce around the city.

Even after you finish the main objectives, there’s plenty to come back for. Secret areas hide special pickups and extra missions, and each stage lets you chase higher grades or more medal rewards. It’s the kind of handheld game you pop in for a quick session on the bus or a longer grind at home, and somehow it never feels watered down—even if it’s running on a cartridge you can slip into your pocket.