RollerCoaster Tycoon

Updated: 03/05/2023 by Computer Hope

RollerCoaster Tycoon overview

RollerCoaster Tycoon

Type: Strategy
ESRB Rating: Everyone
Release Date: 03/31/1999
Developer: Chris Sawyer Productions
Publisher: MicroProse

RollerCoaster Tycoon is a dream come true for individuals who enjoy theme parks or the idea of building one.

In RollerCoaster Tycoon, the player needs to build, maintain, and keep their parks profitable to succeed in the game. While it may sound easy, you are faced with such difficulties as managing lines, keeping the park clean, keeping visitors entertained by adding new rides, and much more.

Users of all ages will enjoy this game, as they build larger parks, their own rides and tweaking each of the rides in their own unique way.

Two expansion packs were released for this game:

  • Corkscrew Follies (released in 1999)
  • Loopy Landscapes (released in 2000)

Two special editions of the game were also released:

  • RollerCoaster Tycoon Gold (released in 2002)
    • Contained original game, plus both expansion packs
  • RollerCoaster Tycoon Deluxe (released in 2003)
    • Contained original game, plus both expansion packs
    • Included additional designs for the customizable rides

System Requirements: Microsoft Windows - Apple - Linux

Windows System Requirements
Operating System: Windows 95, Windows 98
Processor: Intel Pentium 90 MHz
Memory: 16 MB RAM
Graphics Card: SVGA graphics, 1 MB Video RAM
DirectX: DirectX 5.0
Sound Card: Recommended 100% Sound Blaster compatible sound card
Hard Drive Space: 50 MB
CD/DVD Drive: 4X CD-ROM
Controls: Keyboard & Mouse
Multiplayer: n/a

Screenshots

RollerCoaster Tycoon game RollerCoaster Tycoon park
RollerCoaster Tycoon game map RollerCoaster Tycoon rollercoaster

Cheats

Rename your park to one of the below names to activate the appropriate cheat:

  • Chris Sawyer
    • Takes Pictures of Rides
  • Simon Foster
    • Pains Pictures of Rides
  • Melanie Warn
    • Increases Guests' Happiness
  • Katie Brayshaw
    • Waving Guests

Game hints and tips

  • When building thrilling rides, such as large roller coasters, place small rides to help build the confidence of your park visitors.
  • Manage your staff crews to zones (patrol areas). If your staff is not managed, you will find several staff members in one area and not in areas where they may be needed.
  • Place park benches at the exit of large or dizzy rides, which allows visitors in the park to rest if they are sick.
  • When creating a cleaning staff member, we recommend ordering that staff member NOT to mow. If ordered to mow, you will find your cleaning staff mowing more than they are cleaning.
  • Always place an 'Info and Souvenir' store towards the entrance of your park. As most visitors enter the park, they will purchase maps and umbrellas from this store, adding quick additional revenue.
  • It is a good idea to always have bathrooms, even if your park does not have any food or drink stands. Opening a bathroom in your park allows your visitors to relieve themselves, and use the bathroom after an intense ride.
  • When needing to increase your park's happiness to achieve an objective, use the Pincers and pick up visitors that are unhappy and place them in the water. Doing this will drown the visitor, but also increases your happiness objective.

Technical support