Introduction
When you first spot that glowing green slime ramp in the Pinball level of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4, it looks like just another gap—but the Sack Tap challenge here separates casual players from combo-hungry veterans. After a few failed attempts, I realized this trick demands old-school instinct, precision timing, and smart special meter management. Complete it once and you’ll feel that classic THPS rush of nailing an almost-impossible gap.
Why It Matters
Clearing the Slime Ramp Sack Tap is more than just a challenge—it’s a mid-campaign rite of passage that pushes your momentum control, grab timing, and combo discipline. It counts toward your total challenge completion, nets you a solid point boost, and cements your status as a completionist or high-score chaser. If you’re hunting 100% runs or leaderboard glory, this trick is non-negotiable.

Prerequisites & Preparation
- Game Version: Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 (2025 remaster) on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S.
- Level: Pinball (THPS 4 campaign).
- Trick Unlocked: Sack Tap assigned to your special trick slot.
- Stat Recommendations: High Ollie, Hangtime/Air, and Special stats help with lift and meter duration.
- Practice: Warm up your Sack Tap in Free Skate for at least 5 minutes to get the timing and launch angle dialed in.
Locating the Slime Ramp
Spawn into the Pinball level and head to the halfpipe on the right. The slime-coated ramp is easy to miss until you see the neon-green puddle on its surface. Aim your run at the cutout in the pinball back wall—this small gap is the trick’s landing zone, and you need to thread the needle precisely.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Build Speed: Pump the halfpipe walls aggressively to rack up maximum momentum. Without enough speed, you’ll stall before hitting the slime.
- Center Your Approach: Align your skater so you hit the middle of the slime ramp. Off-center landings send you wide or kill your vertical boost.
- Execute the Grab: At the apex of your jump, press down-left on the analog stick and double-tap your grab button (B on Xbox / Circle on PlayStation). This triggers the Sack Tap special trick.
- Spine Transfer: As you start descending, immediately tap RT (Xbox) or R2 (PlayStation) to spine-transfer back onto the ramp. This keeps your combo alive and registers the gap.
- Clean Rollaway: Land smoothly and maintain forward momentum. If done correctly, your combo counter will tick up and you’ll see “Challenge Complete” pop on screen.
Button Inputs & Platform Differences
- Xbox Series X|S: Down-left on left stick + double-tap B, then RT for the spine transfer.
- PlayStation 5: Down-left on left stick + double-tap Circle, then R2 for the spine transfer.
- PC (Controller): Map your special trick to a convenient button, use the same analog direction, and follow up with your transfer button.
Common Failure Points & Solutions
- Insufficient Speed: You’ll hit the slime too slowly. Pump the halfpipe more aggressively or take a longer run-up.
- Mis-timed Grab: Grabbing too early or too late cancels the special. Aim to hit the apex frame for a clean double-tap.
- Missed Transfer: Waiting too long to tap RT/R2 kills the combo. Immediately follow your grab with the transfer input.
- Uneven Launch: Hitting the slime edge sends you off course. Realign your run-up until you consistently land in the ramp’s center.
Advanced Tips & Practice Routine
- Restrict your special meter burn in Free Skate—save it exclusively for the slime jump during practice.
- Use tape markers: Drop a tape marker at your ideal pump spot and practice multiple approaches until your timing is muscle memory.
- Try slight angle tweaks: Small shifts in your run-up angle can change your trajectory just enough to hit the pinball cutout more reliably.
- Experiment with manual landings: A quick manual on landing can extend your combo if you want to chain additional tricks for a higher score.
Time Estimate & Rewards
Expect to spend 5–15 minutes mastering the approach and timing if you’re already comfortable with special tricks. Completing this challenge awards a chunk of points toward your level score and registers one challenge tick in your objectives menu—an essential step for completionists and score runners alike.
Conclusion
Respect the slime ramp: link every element of the trick from precise speed build to perfect grab timing and spine transfer. It’s a compact challenge that tests multiple facets of THPS mastery. Nail it, and you’ll recapture that old-school thrill while boosting your completion stats and leaderboard potential.