The recently released Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 has stirred controversy by placing some of its most nostalgic Nickelodeon Easter eggs exclusively in the $20 Deluxe Edition upgrade. While the game received generally favorable reviews from critics, this unusual monetization strategy has left many fans disappointed.

Steam player counts reveal a lukewarm reception, with concurrent players peaking at just 2,000 - surprisingly low for such an iconic franchise. Many negative reviews criticize the remake for feeling like a cash grab rather than a faithful recreation, citing missing content from the original games.

According to VGC reports, the Deluxe Edition exclusively includes two major Easter eggs: the SpongeBob SquarePants Bikini Bottom roller rink and a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles-themed sewer area. This decision has baffled players, as Easter eggs are traditionally included as fun surprises rather than premium content.

The Skater Island track's Bikini Bottom location and Movie Studio track's TMNT hideout are completely inaccessible to Standard Edition owners. Fans argue this paywall highlights the game's lack of substantial content, especially since these Easter eggs weren't mentioned in the Deluxe Edition's pre-launch description.

While the Deluxe Edition was marketed for its exclusive skins, Create-a-Skater items, and bonus tracks, players didn't expect nostalgic locations to be locked behind the paywall. However, not all Easter eggs require payment - Standard Edition players can still discover numerous secrets and references throughout the game.