Skateboard legend Bam Margera has made a surprise and rather significant return to the digital half-pipe in the recently released compilation, Tony Hawk`s Pro Skater 3 + 4. For fans who initially reviewed the game`s announced roster, a key name was conspicuously absent. Margera, a prominent figure in the original THPS3 and a cultural icon synonymous with that era of skateboarding, was not listed among the returning pros. However, his eventual inclusion wasn`t just a standard update; it was, quite unexpectedly, the direct result of a fortunate, last-minute personal encounter.
When the roster for the highly anticipated remakes was first revealed, Bam Margera`s omission raised eyebrows. As one of the most recognizable skaters from the original THPS3 lineup, his absence felt like leaving a key ingredient out of a classic recipe. At the time, it was understood that Margera was navigating significant personal challenges, and communication with figures like Tony Hawk had reportedly become infrequent.
The narrative of his return, however, took an interesting turn, proving that sometimes, opportunity truly materializes from the most unplanned moments. According to Margera himself in a recent interview, the catalyst for his path back to the virtual skate park was a spontaneous visit. Finding himself in Los Angeles at a point where he hadn`t spoken to Tony Hawk in roughly a year – a period during which Margera acknowledges he “wasn`t doing too good” – he decided to reach out.
Despite the passage of time and the circumstances, Hawk extended an invitation to his private skate facility, an arena affectionately known as the Hawk`s Nest. What might have simply been a casual catch-up between old colleagues transformed into an impromptu demonstration of personal recovery and rediscovered skill. Margera, who credits significant improvements to his physical health and overall well-being to the help of a “stretch coach” (now his wife), showed up prepared not just to talk, but to skate.
He wasted no time demonstrating that he was back in skating form. Margera recounts impressing Hawk during the visit by displaying his regained prowess, even engaging in classic skate park challenges like ollieing over each other – a clear and physical signal that the fire, dedication, and technical ability were still very much present beneath the surface. Hawk`s reaction to witnessing this transformation firsthand was reportedly one of genuine surprise and admiration. According to Margera, Hawk was “pretty blown away” and exclaimed, “What is going on? You are back.”
Hawk was evidently convinced by this powerful, firsthand display of Margera`s readiness and recovery. Recognizing his friend`s return to form and understanding the significant legacy connection Margera held with the core THPS franchise, Hawk took immediate action. Despite the project facing tight deadlines for final roster lock-in, Hawk personally contacted the publisher, Activision. He leveraged his position and advocacy to make a compelling case for Margera`s eleventh-hour inclusion, a decision based entirely on that single, unexpected visit and the subsequent, impactful demonstration of personal comeback and physical capability.
This unique sequence of events – a chance meeting in Los Angeles, a genuine demonstration of personal recovery through skating, and a friend`s decisive intervention – was the direct catalyst that successfully prompted Activision to add Bam Margera to the final, shipped roster of Tony Hawk`s Pro Skater 3 + 4. His inclusion, arriving somewhat against the odds, completed the representation of the original THPS3 pro cast within the remake.
The game itself features a diverse and often humorous assembly of skaters, blending returning legends and contemporary talent, alongside some rather unconventional guest characters. These include, perhaps adding a touch of surrealism, the likes of the Doom Slayer from id Software`s iconic first-person shooter series and Michelangelo of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fame. In this context, Margera`s re-entry into the eclectic digital skatepark feels, in retrospect, perfectly aligned with the game`s blend of nostalgic reverence and modern, sometimes wonderfully unexpected, additions.
Tony Hawk`s Pro Skater 3 + 4 is currently available across major gaming platforms, including PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
Ultimately, Bam Margera`s path back into the virtual skate world of Tony Hawk`s Pro Skater serves as a compelling, albeit unusual, footnote in the game`s development story. It underscores how personal journeys towards recovery and unexpected encounters can sometimes converge to create professional opportunities, even when all conventional deadlines seem to have passed. It`s a reminder that sometimes, being truly “back” means opening doors you never expected.
Callum Darby