Developer: Blue Fang Games
Publisher: THQ
Genre: Strategy
Region: NTSC
Format:
Release Date: 11 Oct 05

User Rating
8.2 (13 votes)

Score 10 (Best) 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 (Worst)

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Overview

Can you believe it was back in 1999 when one game changed simulation games forever. No I am not talking about The Sims 2, but instead I am talking about Rollercoaster Tycoon. This was one of those games that captivated a huge audience and really attracted a lot of attention. From there we saw a mass abundance of Tycoon style games, whether it be Mall Tycoon or Lemonade Stand Tycoon, you can say we are covered in all categories. Well one of these spin-offs has come to the Nintendo DS, and it is Zoo Tycoon. So does this bring the glory of the Tycoon name to the Dual Screen? Read our full review to find out!

Gameplay

So what is Zoo Tycoon? Well there have been two different versions on the PC, from Zoo Tycoon and Zoo Tycoon 2. Both of these games I would not consider out of the ordinary for this type of genre, but were good respectable games nonetheless. Well now we are at a point where we see that THQ has found it best to come out with this moderately popular PC game for a DS that hasn't had many Tycoon style games. Was this a good move?

Well of course Zoo Tycoon is a simulation style game that allows you to go through the process of building and running your own zoo. Basically, like every other game of this genre, you basically are given a plot of land and then are told that you need to get a certain amount of money or some sort of goal while creating a Zoo. Well when you start up Zoo Tycoon DS you will find right away that the amount of things to choose from is pretty limited and nowhere near as deep as the PC version.

One of the biggest problems I had with Zoo Tycoon DS was the mere fact that the game really is a pain to work with. The controls in the game make it extremely difficult to setup your park. You will find that you will be constantly working against the controls, which make this game much more difficult then they need to be. Another big problem Zoo Tycoon has is that it does not make it entertaining to create the parks. It is honestly so difficult in this game to figure out what works with what, that you will be spending most of your time trying to figure out.

When I look at the gameplay of Zoo Tycoon DS, I see a game that really just missed opportunities in every single category. I look at just trying to create a park in this game and I must say that I really don't see what the developers were thinking with this game. I just do not understand why they could not make this game more accessible for users. Instead, the gameplay is so frustrating, and it is so irritating that most people are not going to be patient enough to even care about this game after a few minutes.

Graphics

The biggest problem with Zoo Tycoon DS is the visuals, which are downright horrid. These are easily the worst visuals I have seen on the DS. Even if the DS isn't the best looking system on the market, Zoo Tycoon DS still puts this platform to shame. I just don't see how you could release a game like this with such terrible visuals. The game is really hard to see what is going on and this is what complicates the gameplay. The gameplay may not be good; however the visuals make the game even harder to play.

Fun Factor

You know, what is really sad about this whole experience is that I am a huge Tycoon fan. I like these sorts of games, because they allow you to really just immerse yourself into a certain idea, whether it is in an Amusement Park or even a Zoo. I enjoyed Zoo Tycoon for the PC, but Zoo Tycoon DS is just a terrible port of the game. There is nothing positive to say about this experience. The visuals make the gameplay hard to understand, and the controls don't help the matter either. In the end I just can't say that I was impressed with anything the game had to offer.

Overall

Unfortunately for fans of Zoo Tycoon, this is one of those titles that I can say without any doubt that you do not want to waste your time with. There are much better simulation style games out there, and there are much better DS games on the market as well. Even if you are a huge Tycoon fan, I am saddened to say that this game does nothing right and that translates into a game that just does not deserve even a rental.

Gameplay
5.0

Graphics
3.0

Fun Factor
4.0

Overall
4.0

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