A cheeky nod to Guitar Hero in THPS 3 + 4 didn’t land well, and Iron Galaxy is already hitting the undo button.
The setup
Gamers love a good easter egg. A little wink from the devs. A throwback to gaming history. A hidden joke tucked inside a level. But sometimes, those playful touches do more harm than good.
Case in point: in the Waterpark level of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4, players found a trash can with a box labeled “Banjo Champion.” Fans quickly recognized it as a reference to Guitar Hero, the legendary rhythm game series that Neversoft created after defining skateboarding games.
The message seemed clear. Guitar Hero was being thrown in the trash. And fans were not amused.
The backlash
The reference spread fast, and the response was just as quick. Many fans saw it as a disrespectful jab at Neversoft, the studio that gave the world both Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater and Guitar Hero before being shut down by Activision in 2014.
What was probably intended as a light-hearted nod came across as a tone-deaf insult. And in an era where gaming communities are vocal, connected, and unforgiving, that’s all it takes for things to blow up.
The developer response
Iron Galaxy, the team behind the remaster, stepped up and addressed the situation on Reddit:
“We have the utmost respect for anyone who makes games… We’re investigating how that got in there in the first place.”
They also confirmed that the easter egg would be removed in the next update.
It was a smart, fast response. No excuses. Just ownership and action.
Why it matters
This isn’t just about a small texture in a trash can. It’s about how studios treat legacy.
Neversoft didn’t just make games. They made culture. They brought skateboarding into the mainstream and created one of the most iconic rhythm franchises of all time. Whether the easter egg was a joke or a misfire, it rubbed fans the wrong way.
Paying tribute to that kind of legacy means respecting the memories that players still hold onto.
Meanwhile, the remaster still slaps
Controversy aside, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 is getting solid praise. The remaster delivers tight physics, crisp visuals, and the kind of soundtrack that makes you want to dig out your old MP3 player.
Polygon even called it a “better music discovery tool than Spotify.” And yes, secret skaters are back, which gives the game that classic sense of fun and reward.
Geekhub takeaway
Here’s the lesson. Nostalgia is powerful, but it’s also sensitive territory. When you’re remastering a game that helped define an era, the smallest details matter.
Iron Galaxy handled the situation well. They didn’t double down or deflect. They listened, responded quickly, and promised a fix. That kind of accountability is rare and deserves respect.
TL;DR
• Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 featured a Guitar Hero–inspired easter egg showing “Banjo Champion” in a trash can
• Fans said it disrespected Neversoft, the studio behind both franchises
• Iron Galaxy responded quickly and confirmed the easter egg will be removed
• The game still holds up, with strong reviews and a killer soundtrack
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