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RollerCoaster Tycoon: Deluxe

95%Game Brain Score
graphics, gameplay
stability, grinding
95% User Score Based on 9,796 reviews

Platforms

PCWindows
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About

RollerCoaster Tycoon: Deluxe is a popular simulation game that challenges you to build and manage a successful theme park. With various coaster types, in-park attractions, and customizable themes, design and construct the ultimate amusement park experience. Meet the needs of your guests and watch your profits soar in this engaging and replayable tycoon game.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
RollerCoaster Tycoon: Deluxe screenshot
RollerCoaster Tycoon: Deluxe screenshot
RollerCoaster Tycoon: Deluxe screenshot
RollerCoaster Tycoon: Deluxe screenshot
RollerCoaster Tycoon: Deluxe screenshot

95%
Audience ScoreBased on 9,796 reviews
graphics136 positive mentions
stability68 negative mentions
  • RollerCoaster Tycoon: Deluxe is a nostalgic classic that still holds up well after 20+ years, providing hours of fun and creativity in building theme parks.
  • The game offers a great mix of strategy and management, allowing players to design their own roller coasters and manage park finances effectively.
  • Many players appreciate the simplicity and charm of the graphics, which evoke fond memories of childhood gaming experiences.
  • The game suffers from frequent crashes and bugs, particularly on modern systems, leading to lost progress and frustrating gameplay experiences.
  • There are limitations in the user interface and controls, such as difficulty in navigating the isometric view and lack of full-screen support.
  • Some players find the objectives repetitive and the AI of park guests to be frustratingly simplistic, detracting from the overall experience.
  • graphics
    458 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are widely regarded as dated, reflecting its origins in the late 1990s, yet they evoke a strong sense of nostalgia and charm for many players. While some criticize the simplistic and pixelated visuals, others appreciate their timeless quality and the engaging gameplay that overshadows graphical limitations. Overall, the retro aesthetic is celebrated for its ability to transport players back to a simpler gaming era, making it a beloved classic despite modern advancements in graphics technology.

    • “The isometric graphics combined with pre-rendered 3D and a vast color palette is absolutely timeless, and the graphics of the first two games aged much better than the third game's graphics.”
    • “Even though graphics and art have improved in the world of video games, the nostalgia of RollerCoaster Tycoon still remains.”
    • “The graphics are timeless and still look amazing to this day.”
    • “The game doesn't do full screen and you can't play Rollercoaster Tycoon 2 Thrill Pack because of a graphics system issue.”
    • “Graphics are very dated and the UI is as well, but if you can overlook those details, this game is a nice break from bigger, flashier titles.”
    • “Only issue is that graphics are too dated by modern standards and the isometric perspective interferes with the more intricate coaster designs.”
  • gameplay
    332 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "RollerCoaster Tycoon" is characterized by its intuitive controls, endless customization options, and a balance of complexity that keeps players engaged without frustration. While some mechanics can be glitchy, leading to issues like broken rides and unresponsive staff, the overall experience is rewarding and nostalgic, offering hours of fun through creative park management and coaster design. Despite its dated graphics, the game remains a classic, praised for its addictive and timeless gameplay that appeals to both new players and long-time fans.

    • “The intuitive controls and endless customization keep the gameplay fresh and engaging.”
    • “The overall gameplay and mechanics feel satisfying and rewarding.”
    • “Its combination of creative freedom, challenging objectives, and enduring gameplay makes it a must-play for fans of theme park management simulations.”
    • “My rides keep breaking down and my mechanics don't do anything.”
    • “Half your park will break down and you'll watch a mechanic walk up to the entrance, turn on his heel, and repeat.”
    • “Great game, but I ran into the issue with my mechanics being unable to fix random rides consistently.”
  • music
    132 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is widely praised for its nostalgic charm, particularly the iconic merry-go-round theme that evokes fond memories for many players. While the soundtrack enhances the overall atmosphere and fits well with the various rides, some users note that it can become repetitive, especially when multiple tracks play simultaneously. Overall, the music is considered a highlight, contributing significantly to the game's enjoyment and emotional connection.

    • “The music fits each of the theme parks and rides, the little details of customers laughing or screaming on ride are a nice touch and I can still recall the catchy intro music to this day.”
    • “The music is so extravagant and makes me feel like I'm really at a theme park, the guest thoughts are very clever, and making money in a video game has never been more fun.”
    • “This game has enough nostalgia to make me sit at the title screen and listen to the theme music for a good 10-15 seconds before I actually play.”
    • “Oh yeah, and occasionally whenever I had a lot of rides playing music, the music would suddenly just turn into extremely loud gibberish for like half a second and then go back to normal.”
    • “You can also add theme music and sound effects to your rides or the park itself, but after a while, it gets annoying.”
    • “However, the music that can be played from the rides gets repetitive very quickly.”
  • stability
    96 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is a mixed bag, with many users reporting significant bugs and glitches, particularly on modern systems. While some players find it runs well and can be enjoyable with workarounds, others experience frequent crashes and performance issues that can hinder gameplay. Overall, it appears that while the game can evoke nostalgia, its buggy nature and the need for troubleshooting may deter some players.

    • “Game runs great on modern systems (Windows 10) with no need for dangerous third-party programs to let it run on your system.”
    • “This game runs great even on modern computers.”
    • “Runs great, no bugs that I've noticed in several hours of playtime.”
    • “This game started out great on Steam but somehow turned into a buggy mess.”
    • “Visual halting glitches made the game unplayable.”
    • “Full screen mode doesn't work, you can't zoom in on your park (you have to play it zoomed out really far), you have to use the keyboard in order to navigate around instead of being able to use the mouse cursor, it freezes and crashes constantly.”
  • story
    70 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is largely non-existent, with players primarily focused on completing various missions to build and manage amusement parks. While some missions present unique challenges, the overall narrative is minimal, leading to mixed feelings about the game's depth and engagement. Nostalgia plays a significant role for many players, but the lack of a compelling story detracts from the experience for others.

    • “This game is part of my childhood; I still remember when I was a kid and played the original RCT all day, trying to win all maps in no particular order. The idea of the game is to create an amusement park and complete a mission to proceed and unlock a new map. That's it; everything else is up to you. As a sandbox game, the player is free to create the park as wacky as they please, create your own roller coaster tracks, and save them for future use.”
    • “Every mission (or park) is different, and they have their own challenges.”
    • “You can even become invested in story mode if you like even more of a challenge.”
    • “☑ no story”
    • “At RC2, the missions are meaningless, unfinishable, and less fun.”
    • “So, after playing through a few of the campaign missions (although, what else are there in Rollercoaster Tycoon but campaign missions), I've come to realize through my rose-tinted nostalgia glasses that, geeze, Rollercoaster Tycoon is rather slow and unoptimized twenty years later.”
  • replayability
    68 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is widely praised for its high replayability, with many users noting the endless fun and variety of scenarios that keep players engaged. While some mention that replay value may diminish after completing levels, the nostalgic appeal and ability to create custom attractions contribute to a solid replay experience. Overall, it is considered a classic with virtually limitless replay potential, making it enjoyable for both new and returning players.

    • “On top of this, all of the scenarios have virtually limitless replayability, especially once you've completed them all at least once.”
    • “The game is still fun to play, the replay value is great and the fun factor is still remarkable.”
    • “Chris Sawyer delivered upon us a true masterpiece with this endlessly replayable tycoon game.”
    • “Replay value is not that high once you clear a level, and the UI is something to get used to.”
    • “This can severely cut the replay value of the game short, and while it isn't the biggest problem in the world, it can still be considered when arriving at the decision to purchase the game.”
    • “There are hardly any bugs I've noticed and the replay value is endless!”
  • optimization
    40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, "Rollercoaster Tycoon" performs well for its age, maintaining a stable framerate and smooth gameplay on older systems, though it may require some tweaking or compatibility mode for newer operating systems. While the game excels in performance and features, it is not optimized for modern hardware or widescreen displays, leading to potential issues for players seeking perfect optimization. Users have noted that while the game runs smoothly with some effort, it may feel slow and unoptimized by today's standards.

    • “Rollercoaster Tycoon still holds up over twenty years later; sure it may take a little bit of love to get working, but it's easy and worthwhile - there are guides and mods to ensure that it runs smoothly too.”
    • “The performance is at a stable framerate constantly, and while I'm not sure where this cap sits, it's at least 40 fps and never drops.”
    • “In terms of optimization (for 90s PC), nothing can beat this game.”
    • “It isn't very optimized or brought up for new video cards or operating systems or whatever the problem is, just a forewarning.”
    • “For users running widescreen and/or 1080p+ monitors, this game was not optimized for you, much less were those screens widely available in 1999.”
    • “It is not optimized for Windows 7 in any way, constant crashes, lots of Windows errors, plenty of bugs.”
  • humor
    34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in RollerCoaster Tycoon is a standout feature, with players enjoying the absurdity of creating chaotic parks and the comedic potential of naming rides and guests in outrageous ways. The game’s lighthearted approach, including funny sound effects and memorable music, adds to its charm, making it a nostalgic and entertaining experience that encourages both creativity and mischief. Overall, the humor resonates with players, contributing to its lasting appeal and making it a beloved classic in the tycoon genre.

    • “Hilarious to see some of the user designs that are really just death machines.”
    • “Whether you want to build a legit park from the ground up or just want to screw around and have fun making the most hilariously awful parks around, RollerCoaster Tycoon is for you.”
    • “You can charge people for many things, including to use the bathroom, which can be hilarious when they really need to go, but don't want to.”
  • grinding
    20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while it can be tedious and time-consuming, especially when waiting for money to accumulate, many appreciate the nostalgic fun and creative opportunities it offers. The lack of a sandbox mode is noted as a downside, but the game remains engaging for those who enjoy a time sink, particularly for fans of tycoon and simulation genres. Overall, the grinding is seen as rewarding despite its repetitiveness.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Nothing about this game is particularly challenging, and building your own coasters from scratch is tedious as hell, but it's all rewarding in its own way.”
    • “While you can build pretty much whatever you want in sandbox mode, in other modes it can get a bit grindy waiting for money to trickle in.”
  • monetization
    16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with initial praise for its lack of microtransactions, which allowed for a more enjoyable experience. However, disappointment arose after the introduction of microtransactions by the developers, leading to frustration among players who valued the game's original model. Players appreciate the in-game financial management elements, such as loans and advertising, but feel let down by the shift towards monetization practices common in modern gaming.

    • “No microtransactions.”
    • “My dad really enjoys playing, as he's fed up with the cheaters, hackers, microtransactions, battle passes and other issues with modern games.”
    • “Now that Overkill has made the bright decision to put microtransactions into the game, I've never been more disappointed in them.”
    • “The least they could've done is ignored the questions about microtransactions, but even so, going against their word is sickening.”
    • “My dad really enjoys playing, as he's fed up with the cheaters, hackers, microtransactions, battle passes, and other issues with modern games.”
  • atmosphere
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is consistently praised for its cheerful and immersive qualities, enhanced by effective sound design and engaging gameplay elements. Despite its lower graphic quality typical of the 1990s, the overall aesthetic and atmosphere create a vibrant and lively experience that resonates with players. The combination of whimsical elements and darker humor adds depth to the game's environment, making it a must-try for enthusiasts.

    • “The overall atmosphere of the game is just amazing.”
    • “This music adds up to build an atmosphere.”
    • “Pick it up, for your own good, and try it yourself; whether it's the full track editor allowing you to build custom rides and coasters, the atmosphere-building sound design and gameplay design decisions that help it feel like a living world, the management of your finances and distribution of staff to keep the park at max efficiency, or the morbid prospect of drowning panda-costumed staff and throwing coasters into the lake, or perhaps any combination of the two, this is a game you simply must play.”
  • emotional
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is praised for its wholesome and family-friendly nature, evoking positive emotions without any negative elements. Reviewers appreciate its simplicity and charm, suggesting that it offers a comforting and enjoyable experience for players of all ages.

    • “This is a very wholesome game and nothing bad happens in it.”
    • “Good clean wholesome family fun.”

Buy RollerCoaster Tycoon: Deluxe

45h Median play time
70h Average play time
15-100h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 34 analyzed playthroughs

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