There have been a large number of roller coaster games announced recently, so I thought it would be helpful to put together a comprehensive roller coaster game guide listing the features, prices, and release dates of all of them. Below you’ll see as much information about each coaster creator that is currently available and will be updated as more details are known.
RollerCoaster Tycoon World
Release Date as of 2/28/16: According to Amazon.com, RollerCoaster Tycoon World will be released on March 30, 2016. Atari has not yet confirmed this date as they are still stating an “early 2016 release.”
Operating system: PC
Developer: Pipeworks Software and Atari
Official website: http://www.rollercoastertycoon.com/
Description: The fourth installment and long anticipated PC follow-up to RCT3.
Pros: The new multiplayer mode will also allow four players to manage the same park online.
Cons: No micro-transactions! Atari’s recent track record is not good, and RCT4M has gotten terrible reviews
Price: $49.99
RollerCoaster Tycoon World Trailer:
Read more about RollerCoaster Tycoon World.
RollerCoaster Tycoon 4 Mobile
Release Date: April 10, 2014
Operating system: iOs devices (Android coming soon)
Developer: On5
Official website: http://www.rollercoastertycoon.com/
Description: Return of the beloved RCT franchise after a ten year absence!
Pros: RCT4M returns to the isometric view used in the first two games. Exchange roller coaster blueprints with friends.
Cons: Terrible reviews. Micro-transactions. Cartoon-y, non-realistic graphics.
Price: Free
RollerCoaster Tycoon 4 Mobile Trailer:
Read more about RollerCoaster Tycoon 4 Mobile.
Theme Park Studio
Release Date: Early release Feb 27, 2014
Operating system: PC
Developer: Pantera Entertainment
Official website: http://www.themeparkstudio.com/
Description: Theme Park Studio will allow users to design and build their own roller coasters and flat rides; similar to Roller Coaster Tycoon 3.
Pros: Custom build flat rides as well as coasters.
Cons: Probably no money management system at launch date. Development time has been slow and the full release date has been pushed back several times.
Price: Early release version is $29.99
Theme Park Studio Trailer:
Read more articles about Theme Park Studio.
NoLimits 2
Release Date: January 10, 2014
Operating System: PC
Developer: Ole Lange
Official Website: http://www.nolimitscoaster.com/
Description: NoLimits focus is on reality, this program will let you design your favorite roller coaster, and of course will let you ride it. Every kind of element that you could imagine is possible to design. There are no limits. You can even select from 24 different coaster-styles including inverted, hyper, spinning, flying, and wooden rollercoasters.
Pros: NoLimits is the most realistic coaster simulator on the market. NoLimits 2 has flat rides!
Cons: Not really a game – no objectives, no money management system. Not as easy to use as RollerCoaster Tycoon.
Price: Standard: $39.99, Professional: $89.99
NoLimits 2 Trailer:
ScreamRide
Release Date: Spring 2015
Operating System: Xbox One, Xbox 360
Developer: Microsoft, Frontier
Official Website:
Description: Build your craziest theme park ride then destroy it.
Pros: Unique game
Cons: Gimicky, could get old fast, more of a time waster than a serious game. No PS4?!
Price: Xbox One: $39.99, Xbox 360:$29.99.
ScreamRide Trailer:
Find out more about ScreamRide.
Theme Parkitect
Release Date:Fall 2015
Operating System: PC, MAC, LINUX
Developer: Happy Texel
Official Website: http://www.themeparkitect.com/
Description: Design roller coasters, install shops and thrill rides, and top it all off with incredible scenery and dynamic landscapes. Management is key: you’ll have to look after employees, resources, and park infrastructure. Fail at that and face the consequences! Unhappy cashiers might annoy guests, unhappy custodians will leave your park a mess, and unhappy ride maintenance teams will leave your guests a mess.
Pros: build an efficient transport infrastructure to ensure the shops in your park don’t run out of stock and you’ll need to maintain the illusion by hiding the “behind the scenes” parts of the park using scenery.
Cons: Release date after RCTW
Price: Unknown
Theme Parkitect Trailer:
Find out more about Theme Parkitect.
FreeRCT
Release Date: Unknown
Operating System: PC
Developer: Open source
Official Website: http://www.freerct.org/
Description: a free and open source theme park simulation game inspired by our beloved Roller Coaster Tycoon franchise
Pros: The ultimate goal is to capture the look, feel and gameplay of the popular games RollerCoaster Tycoon 1 and 2.
Cons: Still has a long way to go.
Price: Free
FreeRCT Test video:
Find out more about FreeRCT.
WaterPark Tycoon
Release Date: March 19, 2014
Operating System: Windows Vista / 7 / 8 / XP
Developer: Excalibur Publishing
Official Website:
Description: In “Waterpark Tycoon” you will be able to build the park of your dreams with breathtaking slides, gigantic waterfalls and entertaining pool scapes to be enjoyed by visitors big and small.
Pros: Cool story mode and relaxing sandbox mode
Cons: Not affiliated with Atari or RCT series.
Price: $14.99 instant download on Amazon
WaterPark Tycoon Gameplay:
Find out more about WaterPark Tycoon.
SimCity Amusement Park Expansion Set
Release Date: May 28, 2013
Operating System: PC
Developer: Maxis Emeryville
Official Website:
Description: In addition to managing your city like always, running a successful Amusement Park is almost a mini-game in itself!
Pros: Money management system.
Cons: Must own SimCity, not a stand alone game, not devoted entirely to theme parks.
Price: $9.99 on Amazon
SimCity Amusement Park Trailer:
Planet Coaster
(Originally called Coaster Park Tycoon)
Release Date: Q4 of 2016
Operating System: PC
Developer: Frontier
Official Website: https://www.planetcoaster.com/
Description: Combine the aspect of tycoon style games we all love with a sophisticated simulation environment. Not a direct, but more of a spiritual successor to RollerCoaster Tycoon 3. The game was announced on January 29, 2015 by Frontier Developments. Originally called Coaster Park Tycoon, the game was renamed into Planet Coaster on June 16, 2015 during the PC Gaming Show at E3 2015.
Pros: IP owned by Frontier, Frontier developed RCT3
Cons: How will it stand out against all the other games? TBD
Price: $67.99
Planet Coaster Trailer:
DreamPark Tycoon
Release Date: Cancelled
Developer: Red Coin Games
Systems: PC, Mac, Wii U, Xbox One and PlayStation 4
Description: Supposed to be similar to RCT series.
Pros: Release date was announced as March 2014 but no screenshots had been released. On August 14, 2014 Red Coin Games Twitter tweeted that the game has been cancelled.
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Can’t wait for the new RCT!