Ever found yourself hooked on a game even though you’re not exactly a pro at it? RollerCoaster Tycoon is that game for me. I’ve invested countless hours into the original title and its legendary follow-up, but I’ll admit: my coaster-building skills leave a lot to be desired. I mostly enjoy watching the little visitors scurry around my sprawling, albeit chaotic, park designs. To many gamers, the original RollerCoaster Tycoon games hold a special place, while the sequels often missed the mark in capturing their unique charm. That’s why the announcement and unexpected release of RollerCoaster Tycoon Classic, a port of the fantastic mobile version, was a delightful surprise. Though it takes some time to get the hang of it, this version wonderfully recaptures the thrill of park management sims at their finest.
At its core, RollerCoaster Tycoon is a classic management simulation. You play as a park mastermind, tasked with achieving specific challenges in a variety of settings. Objectives can range from attracting a certain number of happy visitors before a deadline to hitting a specified profit margin. How you reach these goals is entirely up to your ingenuity. There’s an intriguing assortment of maps, each bringing its own challenges—from a desert with a pricey ride in place to a watery locale where your rides must be more aquatic-themed. Some parks even mimic real ones like Six Flags or embrace unique themed challenges. The ride options are abundant, and many allow for custom designs, so you get to choose track placings and add your own flair. Just remember to keep an eye on your budget, keep paths clean, and ensure the safety of your guests.
There’s an immensely satisfying gameplay loop in RCT that keeps drawing me back. Constructing, tweaking, and seeing how guests react to my—admittedly—lackluster coaster designs is a thrill. I love refining ride features or overhauling entire sections of my park. Yet, while tutorials are present, they might not cover enough for newcomers to grasp the game’s deeper mechanics. You learn plenty by testing rides, listening to guest feedback, and exploring the wealth of menus. The customization options are mind-boggling, especially when you dive into land construction, underground pathways, and scenic embellishments. Every park becomes a unique creation, with your understanding of the game’s mechanics reflecting in how you attract visitors and generate revenue. For those yearning to experiment freely, there’s a designer mode to craft entire rides with scenery that you can save for later. However, I miss the ‘scenario editor’—which provided a sandbox mode—for unrestrained creativity with limitless funds and no concerns about park ratings.
Visually, the game stays true to the stunning graphics of the original PC version. There’s a timeless allure in the sound effects, music, and those bustling guests resembling ant colonies across the park. The visuals captivate whether in motion or still, which is crucial given how you’ll likely spend hours gazing at these parks. Yet, I did notice some stuttering when zooming out on the Switch, which is a bit surprising considering it’s originally a game meant for smart devices. This issue ties into my concerns with the controls.
Bringing RCT, initially designed for mouse and keyboard, to a controller was no doubt challenging. The controls work well for the most part. While building rides or laying paths, use the A-button for confirmation and directional buttons to shift direction. The right stick moves the camera, while ZL and ZR handle zooming and rotation. It takes a bit to master, but it’s manageable. The game, however, struggles with cursor movement. It’s frustrating that you can’t adjust the speed, making it tedious to shift from park management options at the top of the screen to construction tools at the bottom. Shortcuts are available with X and Y, but they only snap the cursor to menus without opening them. Fully customizable controls would’ve been ideal, especially with shortcuts for viewing world layers or accessing quick menus for specific tasks. Delay is a persistent issue, particularly when putting down pathways. The bridges menu is vital for crossing pathways with queues, yet switching locations requires reopening menus multiple times. Given that I often play my Switch in handheld mode, I was disheartened to find the game lacks touch input—a surprising oversight since it’s based on a mobile version designed for touch controls.
RollerCoaster Tycoon Classic impeccably captures the essence of the original game, though it faces some control and performance hiccups. It’s arguably the most comprehensive version of RCT available. While devoted fans may prefer Open RCT2 on PC, casual players in search of nostalgia will find this Switch version a delightful way to revisit the game. Newcomers might encounter a few bumps initially, but the plethora of design choices, challenges, and creative freedom make it a journey worth taking. Maybe this time, I’ll finally master my coaster designs and realize the dream parks that once existed only on the title screen.
