Mastering the Castle and Fountain Hardflip in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4

Unlock the Secrets to Soaring Over the Waterpark's Grandest Gap!

Powering Up the Waterpark Arcade: Your First Step to Glory

Before attempting to clear the formidable castle and fountain gap in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4, the primary objective is to re-establish the arcade's power. This critical action not only revitalizes the arcade but also reveals a concealed passage leading directly to the castle. The process begins with an essential scavenger hunt for a pair of hidden keys. These keys are cleverly placed within the Waterpark area, echoing similar challenges encountered in other levels of the game's remastered versions. While seemingly a multi-stage endeavor, unlocking this area is indispensable for successfully executing the hardflip.

Locating the Elusive Arcade Keys in the Waterpark

To begin the power restoration, players must first retrieve the arcade keys. These keys are conveniently situated near the Waterpark level's starting point. Navigate down the water slides, then proceed to the right, following the perimeter wall. A brief, concealed passage beneath a large slide will reveal the keys, suspended above a pipe. Approach them closely to collect them; a key icon on the screen's left side will confirm successful acquisition. Once the keys are secured, descend to the lower area directly beneath your current position. Face the direction you originally came from, and proceed forward to locate the non-player characters awaiting the keys outside the arcade. Handing over these keys will instantly electrify the arcade and unveil the castle entrance, ensuring permanent access to this crucial zone.

Mastering the Hardflip for the Ultimate Gap Challenge

With the arcade operational and the castle accessible, attention shifts to executing the central challenge: the hardflip over the castle and fountain gap. The hardflip, a fundamental trick in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4, is performed by simultaneously pressing Left + Up and the Square/X button. As with all flip tricks in the game, timing is crucial; the maneuver can only be executed while airborne. To initiate the jump towards the gap, approach the arcade and glance to the left; a marked “Entrance” above a doorway signifies the portal to a massive slide. Transition from this slide into a large bowl. From the bowl, maintain a straight trajectory and perform a spine transfer (by holding R2/RT) to drop onto a subsequent ramp. This final ramp positions you perfectly for the jump, enabling a direct hardflip over the fountain. Focus solely on landing the hardflip successfully, as the game’s mechanics will handle the precise positioning over the fountain.