New Tony Hawk Game Features Controversial Guitar Hero Reference That Developers Are Removing

In a recent release, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 has drawn mixed reactions due to a controversial Easter egg referencing the Guitar Hero franchise. This reference, perceived by some as lacking respect for legacy creators, will be removed in an upcoming update, as confirmed by Iron Galaxy, the developers behind the remake.

The revival of the beloved THPS series, two decades after its original games, has brought not only nostalgic gameplay but also renewed scrutiny over its content. Players are enjoying the revamped maps and gameplay mechanics, but a particular detail has sparked significant debate.

Within the Waterpark map, players discovered a curious item protruding from a trash can. Upon investigation, it reveals a playful nod to Activision’s once-popular Guitar Hero series.

Copy of (legally distinct) Guitar Hero in the trash on waterpark. Goes to show IG’s respect for Neversoft by u/will-powers in THPS

Was Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 Disrespecting Guitar Hero?

To understand the controversy, it’s important to note the history of Neversoft, the now-closed studio that created the Guitar Hero series, which includes popular titles such as Guitar Hero III, Metallica, and World Tour. Neversoft was also instrumental in developing the original Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater games.

A Reddit user highlighted the Easter egg, stating, “Goes to show Iron Galaxy’s respect for Neversoft.” The item, while not explicitly Guitar Hero, is a box designed to imitate it, found in an unflattering location—a trash can.

Players who interacted with the trash can discovered that the box bore the title “Banjo Champion, ” featuring a playful description promising a “colossal collection of hits” complete with a “wireless banjo controller.”

THPS 3+4 Guitar Hero reference — Image via Reddit user u/one-treat-5078

The complete Banjo Champion box artwork.

The positioning of this reference in the game has led some players to feel that it diminishes the legacy of Neversoft’s contributions to gaming. As this sentiment grew, Iron Galaxy stepped in to address the concerns directly.

In their response on Reddit, the studio stated, “We have the utmost respect for anyone who makes games. We’re investigating how that got in there in the first place. Thank you to the community for bringing this to our attention, and we’ll be removing that from the environment art in the next update.”

However, opinions within the gaming community are not unanimous. Some players argue that the reference serves as a lighthearted joke and should remain. One user commented, “Keep it in please. Tony Hawk games are meant to be edgy.”

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