The latest Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 update has stirred up some chatter after fans noticed something kinda odd hidden in the new Waterpark map. Inside a trash bin, there’s a box resembling the packaging of Guitar Hero, Activision’s now-defunct rhythm game series. But instead of the actual name, it’s labeled as ‘Banjo Champion’—a fictional title that’s pretty clearly a wink to the classic franchise.
Fans quickly brought this to light, sparking a reaction from developer Iron Galaxy. They issued an apology, emphasizing their respect for game creators and promising to remove the Easter egg in the next update. Interestingly, Iron Galaxy admitted they weren’t sure how that reference ended up in the final version and are currently investigating the matter.
Honestly, it’s kinda wild. Neversoft, which originally developed the Tony Hawk games, also worked on the Guitar Hero series before shutting down in 2014. So, some fans are debating whether this trash bin nod is a subtle commentary on Neversoft’s fate, switched away from Tony Hawk to focus on Guitar Hero before their closure. Others argue it feels disrespectful, but some want Iron Galaxy to keep it in as a quirky homage.
Copy of (legally distinct) Guitar Hero in the trash on waterpark. Goes to show IG's respect for Neversoft
byu/will-powers inTHPS
The history behind this is pretty rich. Guitar Hero launched on PlayStation 2 back in 2005/06, and its last major release was Guitar Hero Live for PS3 and PS4 in 2015. Seeing this fictional ‘Banjo Champion’ pop up again in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 suggests it’s been a recurring inside joke or reference.
What do you think? Is this Easter egg a cheeky tribute or a bit of a misstep? Should Iron Galaxy remove it or keep it for fans who catch the nod? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below, this one got me thinking!
