I never got to play any of the RollerCoaster Tycoon series when I was growing up. I see people now who talk about how much they enjoyed the series but there's always a conflicting response on which is best. I'd like to try one but I've held off for that reason mostly. So... which is your favorite and why?
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Which RollerCoaster Tycoon is best?
- Thread starter Jeremy
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Interfectum
Gold Member
RCT2 easily.
I prefer RCT3, simply because not being bound to an isometric view makes things much easier to landscape and manage. Never played RCT2, but extensively played 1 and 3 and their expansion packs.
MrNyarlathotep
Banned
2 is the best.
3 is in full 3D so you can do things like virtually ride your own rollercoasters, but the game balance is all out of whack as the new things they add like firework displays or water parks are vastly more profitable / crowd pleasing than the series staples of rollercoasters / attractions / stalls
3 is in full 3D so you can do things like virtually ride your own rollercoasters, but the game balance is all out of whack as the new things they add like firework displays or water parks are vastly more profitable / crowd pleasing than the series staples of rollercoasters / attractions / stalls
Bl@de
Member
Can't go wrong with 1 or 2. If you only want one: RCT2 Triple Thrill Pack from GOG.com
Why? They are nearly identical but 2 offers more content (meaning more rides). But then again if you get 1 cheaper or free ... You don't miss much. I didn't even pick up 2 back then because I was disappointed that it was the same. And I played 1 way too much. 3 was also good, especially first person mode. But the graphics are early 3D .., which means meh by todays standards. RCT2 still looks as great as ever.
Why? They are nearly identical but 2 offers more content (meaning more rides). But then again if you get 1 cheaper or free ... You don't miss much. I didn't even pick up 2 back then because I was disappointed that it was the same. And I played 1 way too much. 3 was also good, especially first person mode. But the graphics are early 3D .., which means meh by todays standards. RCT2 still looks as great as ever.
inked_illusion
Member
I'm in the minority but Rollercoaster Tycoon 1 holds a very special place in my heart.
Though I haven't played the second or third yet.
Though I haven't played the second or third yet.
GiantBreadbug
Member
Wait people don't like 3?
It's amazing, you can ride the rides and there's so much more to build. Then again I only ever play in sandbox, so I'm not sure about the campaign(s).
I went straight from 1 to 3, so maybe I should try 2. But I thought 3 was pretty great.
It's amazing, you can ride the rides and there's so much more to build. Then again I only ever play in sandbox, so I'm not sure about the campaign(s).
I went straight from 1 to 3, so maybe I should try 2. But I thought 3 was pretty great.
Rygar 8 Bit
Jaguar 64-bit
all 3 and the expansions as much rollercoaster tycoon that is possible is the correct answer
tiggerkiddo
Member
The second one was the best to me, the amount of content and rides you had available was just crazy. Could really create some amazing looking parks with it.
TimeEffect
Member
Play 2 or don't play any at all
OricWindstar
Member
It's been a while since I've played them, but as others have said, 2 seems to be the best.
Rygar 8 Bit
Jaguar 64-bit
active hate for 3? what all of them are amazing
R
Rösti
Unconfirmed Member
I think the "campaign" is best in the original, but RollerCoaster Tycoon 2 features better tools for creating your own parks and rides. Both great games. RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 I didn't like much mainly due to the visual style, but it allows for some really crazy coaster design (as shown by the myriad of videos on YouTube).
This for me, except I played 2, Idk maybe I just didn't play it as much, but 1 was always my favorite.
I loved the first one, it is one of those games that defined my childhood. Never played the second one, but does it have menu music as awesome as this?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KT45kiI5FYw
No? then it is inferior by default.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KT45kiI5FYw
No? then it is inferior by default.
Rygar 8 Bit
Jaguar 64-bit
The original + expansions if you like to complete the challenge scenarios. The 2nd one is great if you like to build but I hate that everything is unlocked from the start.
The 3rd game is amazing with all of the community mods if you like to create the theme park of your dreams and wonder around it and ride your coasters, but the peeps kinda suck in that game.
The 3rd game is amazing with all of the community mods if you like to create the theme park of your dreams and wonder around it and ride your coasters, but the peeps kinda suck in that game.
Its got no soul hey, in many ways its more or less a 3D reproduction of RC1 but there's something oddly unsatisfying about it in a way RC1+2 are not. Its been so long since I've played it but I remember being pretty sorbo disappointed at 3 when it released and its expansions didn't do much to alleviate that.
Snakethesniper
Member
The isometric ones, so 1 and 2
Well then, will check it out tonight.
Thanks
Edit* May not be out till midnight tonight...according to Xbox.com.
I'll check when I get home though.
Edit 2* Just realized you said it as if you personally looked....lol, so it probably is there.
Photolysis
Banned
RCT2. RCT3 is not a bad game, but that UI is awful.
RCT4/W looks promising though, based on the limited information so far. Freeform coaster building using nodes instead of being restricted to the grid system (which is still an option) will be very nice.
RCT4/W looks promising though, based on the limited information so far. Freeform coaster building using nodes instead of being restricted to the grid system (which is still an option) will be very nice.
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2 is the series at its peak. One of the best simulation games ever made and one of my personal favorite games of all time. It is essentially an improved version of the first game with alot of new content. Even the scenarios of the original have been ported over by fans, so I don't think there is much point in playing the original over the sequel as a newcomer. RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 is still a good (if not great) game but not quite on the same level as its predecessors. Its biggest advantage is 3D rollercoaster building and riding, but as a construction and management sim it is pretty much inferior to the first two in every way. It lost alot of the series charm too (but that is possibly just nostalgia on my part).
At the end of the day you can't really go wrong with any of them though. The safer bet is on the 'classic' two games simply because I don't know anyone who disliked those, you can always try RCT3 afterwards.
At the end of the day you can't really go wrong with any of them though. The safer bet is on the 'classic' two games simply because I don't know anyone who disliked those, you can always try RCT3 afterwards.
SliceSabre
Banned
Nothing beats the original for me me and a friend used to be up all night making parks in that game.
FloppyDelux
Member
First one, spent so much time playing it on my old IBM laptop.
Corronchilejano
Member
The first one has a bit more freedom in what you can do, since the 2nd one only has scenarios. I'd play the first two, one after the other.
Beelzebufo
Banned
RCT2 is basically an improved 1 in every way. Go with that!
Game runs pretty bad and I think the AI had some major issues.
SpacePirate Ridley
Member
-RCT1 has the best campaign.
-RCT2 has a limited sandbox, but still you can tweak everything for it to look like it seems it doesnt have limitations. It brought buildings to the franchise and Im really glad for that.
-RCT3 is the BEST build your dream theme park simulator. The mods and custome scenery has made this game limitless. It also has the best expansions of the franchise that actually add a totally different approach (water parks and zoos). Although the pacthes aliviated some of its problems, the micormanagemtn aspect is the worst because of the peep's behaviour.
There you have it, FACTS as why each of the 3 games in the series does something right and different people could call each one the best.
Of course the mobile game and the 3DS version dont even exist. I have the displeasure of having the 3DS version. It's incredibly bad.
Things are not looking too bright for RCTWorld either if you read the official forums. Atari is a horrible publisher and doenst know what the fuck they want to do with their only cash cow.
Really glad Frontier is stepping up in the competiton and its going to bring the spiritual successor of RCT3 in the future. I think they are the only guys right now that can do justice to the franchise, even if they are not using the agme anymore.
Not safe.
Not easily.
The bolded is not true. Even less if you are putting RCT1 into the equation.
Those people are usually:
Bought the game when it was released, played it, hated and never looked back.
RCT3 vanilla had horrible problems at the beginning of its life, most of them were mitigated with patches, the 2 exapansions and custom scenery.
That or the love micromanagent in their building sims too much and that why they dont like RCT3, somewhat understandable, as its the worse one of the 3 doing that.
-RCT2 has a limited sandbox, but still you can tweak everything for it to look like it seems it doesnt have limitations. It brought buildings to the franchise and Im really glad for that.
-RCT3 is the BEST build your dream theme park simulator. The mods and custome scenery has made this game limitless. It also has the best expansions of the franchise that actually add a totally different approach (water parks and zoos). Although the pacthes aliviated some of its problems, the micormanagemtn aspect is the worst because of the peep's behaviour.
There you have it, FACTS as why each of the 3 games in the series does something right and different people could call each one the best.
Of course the mobile game and the 3DS version dont even exist. I have the displeasure of having the 3DS version. It's incredibly bad.
Things are not looking too bright for RCTWorld either if you read the official forums. Atari is a horrible publisher and doenst know what the fuck they want to do with their only cash cow.
Really glad Frontier is stepping up in the competiton and its going to bring the spiritual successor of RCT3 in the future. I think they are the only guys right now that can do justice to the franchise, even if they are not using the agme anymore.
Not safe.
Not easily.
The bolded is not true. Even less if you are putting RCT1 into the equation.
Those people are usually:
Bought the game when it was released, played it, hated and never looked back.
RCT3 vanilla had horrible problems at the beginning of its life, most of them were mitigated with patches, the 2 exapansions and custom scenery.
That or the love micromanagent in their building sims too much and that why they dont like RCT3, somewhat understandable, as its the worse one of the 3 doing that.
I meant 'construction and management sim' as one genre. Not 'construction sim' and 'management sim'.
If you just want to build the themepark of your dreams I can easily see why one would prefer the third game over everything else (especially RCT1 since customization and theming was a bit limited), so I agree it is the best 'construction sim'.
E: Now that we're comparing the games anyway, I just want to get out of my system that the music in RCT3 is atrocious. I hate 'Summer Air' with a passion.
This is my jam.
SpacePirate Ridley
Member
The wife and I both love the RCT games. Play them all...or 2 and 3
This reminds me Screamride is coming soon isn't it......(goes to look)
Edit* March 3rd it appears. Only 2 weeks away, I hope it's good.
$40 X1, $30 360 it seems
Probably not what you are looking for sadly.
HOWEVER, Frontier is making the spiritual successor of RCT3 next. Thats why im really happy, becuase RCTWorld's future looks grim as hell.
Then you are right, sorry for the confussion.
RCT2 would be the pinnacle of that, although I dont like some of its aspects, as the bunch of random scenarios instead of a real campaign or the stupid limits in the sandbox mode, only because Chris Sawyer is a stubborn guy.
shadowsdarknes
Member
I just wished all of my insanely designed roller coasters didn't scare all of the guests.
Any mods or custom scenery you suggest in particular?
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