Do you remember the good old days when you used to spend hours building your theme park with Rollercoaster Tycoon? The endless fun of creating your rollercoasters, managing your park, designing firework displays, and bringing in tons of money is nostalgic for many of us. You can still experience the same thrill in some similar-style video games. Check out our list of games like Rollercoaster Tycoon that will allow you to show your creativity and business management skills!
Table of Contents
- Planet Coaster
- Parkitect
- Zoo Tycoon Franchise
- Planet Zoo
- SimCity 4
- Jurassic World Evolution 2
- Tropico Franchise
- Thrillville: Off the Rails
Planet Coaster
If you are a fan of games like Rollercoaster Tycoon, especially Rollercoaster Tycoon 3, you should give Planet Coaster a try. This game is very similar to the series, with the concept of making and managing your very own theme park. Planet Coaster is a more modern version that is visually very beautiful in comparison to the older rollercoaster tycoon games. Some fans argue that this game is most like Rollercoaster Tycoon 3 and does not have as much focus on the business and management side of things. This game does make up for it with the visuals and lifelike coaster designs that will make you feel like you are riding them. If you are looking for a similar game that is fun and customizable, while being a bit more lighthearted of an experience, Planet Coaster is a great game to try.
Metacritic Score: 84/100
IGN Rating: 8.5/100
Check Planet Coaster out on Steam!
Parkitect
Parkitect is a great option if you are looking for games similar to Rollercoaster Tycoon with more of a modern touch. This game is most similar to Rollercoaster Tycoon 1 and 2. It places a lot of emphasis on the business management side of things, which is what many gamers love about these games. Parkitect is all about building a successful theme park, where you will get to build thrilling rides, keep your guests happy, and show your business savviness. One great perk of this game is that it doesn’t have some of the frustrating aspects of coaster building that the original games had and improves upon them. This game is a great theme park management game that has a well-designed and interesting series of campaigns to playthrough with so much to offer. Add this game to your list of must-play games!
Metacritic Score: 83/100
Zoo Tycoon Franchise
Zoo Tycoon is a bit different style of game since you aren’t building and managing a theme park. Rather than building rollercoasters, you are building and managing a thriving zoo. The older versions of this game were a lot like the earlier Rollercoaster Tycoon games and were very customizable and fun to play. However, they can be hard to find to play these days. If you can find them to play then you’re in luck because they offer endless hours of fun. The newer version of the game has less ability to customize and control your zoos, but it does still offer a similar style of gameplay. If you’re looking for games like Rollercoaster Tycoon, then Zoo Tycoon will be a great game for you to try!
Zoo Tycoon 2 Metacritic Score: 83/100
Zoo Tycoon: Ultimate Animal Collection Metacritic Score: 70/100
Check out Zoo Tycoon: Ultimate Animal Collection on Steam!
Planet Zoo
Planet Zoo is another zoo-themed game where you will build and manage your own zoo. This game is made by the same company that made Planet Coaster, as well as Rollercoaster Tycoon 3, so you will get to experience beautiful visuals and graphics that give you a really fun and realistic experience. This game is a great choice on our list of games like Rollercoaster Tycoon due to the similar style of gameplay.
Similarly to Planet Coaster, Planet Zoo has gotten some criticism for not having the same level of business and management aspects that the first Zoo Tycoons and Rollercoaster Tycoon games offered. Despite this, it remains a fantastic game that has great reviews from the community that enjoys this genre of video game.
Metacritic Score: 81/100
IGN Rating: 8.5/100
Check out Planet Zoo on Steam!
SimCity 4
SimCity 4 is an older city-building game that is truly captivating as it puts you in the shoes of being a city mayor. You will be able to manage every aspect of your city, from the residential areas, to the commercial, and the industrial zones. As you build your city, you will need to make decisions that can make or break the success of your metropolis.
In this game, you will be faced with many hard but realistic choices, such as making deals with neighboring cities, dealing with pollution, handling fire and safety, managing your expenses, and so much more. You will need to keep an eye on the needs and concerns of the citizens, who will come to you with issues and want them addressed. Although this game is different than Rollercoaster Tycoon, fans who love the management aspect will love this game as well. If you are looking for games like Rollercoaster Tycoon, this is a must-try.
Metacritic Score: 84/100
IGN Rating: 9.2/10
Jurassic World Evolution 2
Jurassic World Evolution is a unique game that offers a different perspective on the genre. In this game, you will create and control a dinosaur-filled park. This game still has a lot of the business simulation aspects that made Rollercoaster Tycoon so fun and enjoyable. Jurassic World Evolution 2 is also by the makers of Planet Coaster, Planet Zoo, and Rollercoaster Tycoon 3, so you will get those modern and beautiful visuals of the others.
In this game, you will get to experiment with over forty types of dinosaurs and even alter their genetics. Learn to cope with the problems of this type of business, such as power outages, bad weather, and escaped dinosaurs. You will have to upkeep your dinosaur enclosures and make sure your animals are fed, happy, and healthy. Jurassic World Evolution allows you to get to experience each species of animal and their unique needs and personalities, making the game realistic and fascinating. This game is a fun and different type of business simulation, making it an excellent choice for a game similar to Rollercoaster Tycoon.
Metacritic Score: 77/100
Check out Jurassic World Evolution 2 on Steam!
Tropico Franchise
The Tropico Franchise is a great series of games that gives you the experience of managing an island nation, along with the politics that come along with it. This deserves a spot on our list of games like Rollercoaster Tycoon because it takes a fun twist on the classic building and business management games. This game gives you four different eras to make it through, which will be the colonial era to the modern era. Get yourself ready to lead your nation to success, while navigating political challenges and building a thriving economy. The Tropico games are a perfect addition to your collection if you are looking for something a bit different and challenging.
Tropico 6 Metacritic Score: 78/100
Thrillville: Off the Rails
If you are looking for games like Rollercoaster Tycoon, then Thrillville: Off the Rails is a great option. In this game, you will get to build and manage your own amusement park, as you attempt to make it into a success. This is a game that has been enjoyed by many fans of the genre for a while now. You will get to show off your management skills while building your park with rides, attractions, buildings, food and drink stalls, and games. Your ultimate goal is to keep your guests happy and coming back for more. While this game might not have the most cutting-edge graphics, it offers plenty of content and fun to have. Get ready to build the amusement park of your dreams!
Metacritic Score: 70/100
Check out Thrillville: Off the Rails on Steam!
Note: This list does not include Rollercoaster Tycoon World and Theme Park Studio. This is because these games have been met with criticism by the Rollercoaster Tycoon community or are hard to purchase at this current point in time.