Key takeaways
- Tony Hawk was escorted from Pershing Square while filming a THPS3 anniversary video at the real location that inspired the game's Los Angeles stage.
- THPS 3 tied with Grand Theft Auto 3 as the highest-rated PlayStation 2 game on Metacritic and remains a defining title of the skateboarding game genre.
- The 2025 Iron Galaxy remake of THPS3 and 4 received a cooler reception than earlier franchise revivals, reflecting broader frustration about the scarcity of new mainstream skateboarding games.
- Pershing Square remains largely unchanged 25 years after THPS 3's release, allowing Hawk's anniversary attempt to connect the game's virtual stage with its real-world inspiration.
Tony Hawk recently attempted to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 in the most direct way possible: by visiting the real-world location that inspired one of the game’s most memorable stages. His plan was simple—recreate iconic moments from the 2001 classic at Pershing Square, the Los Angeles business park featured in the game. The effort, however, ended before it could really gain momentum when security escorted Hawk and his team off the premises.
“Happy 25th THPS3!” Hawk posted on social media, explaining the situation. “We got kicked out of Pershing Square while shooting this today.” He added that the security guard “just shooed us away. It was very anticlimactic.”
The irony of being ejected while trying to honor a beloved game at its real-world muse was not lost on Hawk or his followers. The footage captured during his brief time at the location shows Hawk rolling through the park to the Ramones’ “Blitzkrieg Bop,” revisiting the distinctive features of Pershing Square as his virtual avatar would have encountered them decades ago.
Pershing Square: The Real-World Stage
The Inspiration
Though the stage went unnamed in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3, Pershing Square is unmistakably the inspiration behind the Los Angeles level. The park sits in the city’s financial district and showcases distinctive modernist architecture designed by Ricardo Legorreta. Its defining features include stone crescent benches and large red orbs, which made it an ideal backdrop for a skateboarding video game, providing natural lines and obstacles that skaters could navigate.
The Enduring Location
What makes Pershing Square notable for Hawk’s anniversary visit is its consistency over 25 years. The park remains largely unchanged from when the game was created in 2001. The nearby car wash, distinguished by its large blue obelisk, remains recognizable as well. For a video game level based on a real location, this constancy allows recreations to feel authentic rather than time-displaced.
Why THPS 3 Remains Significant
A PlayStation 2 Milestone
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 represents a pivotal moment in both skateboarding and gaming history. It was the first entry in the series to release on PlayStation 2, arriving during the console’s golden era of exclusive titles. The game’s critical legacy is substantial: to this day, it remains tied with Grand Theft Auto 3 as the highest-rated game on Metacritic for the entire PS2 library.
Series Heritage
The franchise had already proven its cultural staying power on the original PlayStation, launching in 1999 and establishing Tony Hawk as a household name beyond the skateboarding world. By the time THPS 3 arrived on PS2, the franchise had transcended its niche appeal to become a defining title of the extreme sports genre. The game’s soundtrack, level design, and mechanics set standards that influenced skateboarding games for years to come.
The 2025 Remake and Fan Expectations
Nearly a quarter-century later, Iron Galaxy decided to revisit the series by bundling Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 and 4 together in a 2025 remake. The reception was more subdued than earlier entries in the franchise revival, according to reports.
The Fan Frustration
This contrast reflects a larger frustration within the gaming community: new entries in legacy skateboarding franchises feel increasingly difficult to come by. Players express that getting a straightforward, well-crafted new skateboarding game feels laborious compared to what publishers might invest in other genres. The gap between demand and supply has left fans eager for experiences that capture the magic of classics like THPS 3.
A Moment of Connectivity
Hawk’s attempt to film content at Pershing Square, though brief, represents something fans value: a tangible connection between the virtual worlds they inhabited and the real places that inspired them. The fact that Pershing Square remains largely unchanged makes this bridge between game and reality possible. For someone who grew up playing THPS 3 and rolling through that digital park hundreds of times, seeing Hawk navigate the actual location carries genuine resonance.
The timing of this anniversary effort also arrives as Iron Galaxy has faced its own challenges, with the studio cutting employees as it attempts to evolve with industry changes. The studio’s work on remakes rather than entirely new skateboarding titles underscores the challenge of developing for this genre in the current market.
What the Footage Means
Hawk was explicit that the video captured during his brief time at Pershing Square should not be interpreted as a teaser for upcoming content. Instead, it functions as a celebration of what THPS 3 achieved and what it continues to mean to players and the skating community. Even cut short by security, the footage serves as a reminder of why this particular game endures in gaming culture 25 years after its original release.
Being escorted away mid-shoot captures something truthful about the state of skateboarding games in 2026: even the legend himself cannot quite get what he wants. But the persistence of interest in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 demonstrates that some games transcend their medium, becoming cultural touchstones that reach beyond consoles and screens.
Source: Kotaku
Frequently Asked Questions
Why couldn't Tony Hawk finish filming at Pershing Square?
Security escorted Hawk and his crew away from the park while they were shooting content for the THPS 3 25th anniversary.
What makes Pershing Square connected to THPS 3?
The Los Angeles stage in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 was inspired by Pershing Square, featuring its distinctive stone crescent benches and large red orbs designed by architect Ricardo Legorreta.
How did fans receive the 2025 THPS 3 and 4 remake?
According to reports, the 2025 Iron Galaxy remake generated a more subdued response than earlier entries in the franchise revival.
