RollerCoaster Tycoon® Deluxe

Such a blast from the past. This game is so fun for anyone who likes building games.

The game refuses to play. It is quite frustrating.

This game took everyone by surprise when it came out. It has a few small blemishes, mostly related to lining things up vertically in a faux-3D environment. None of these matter, because Roller Coaster Tycoon is pure fun. The game imposes just enough challenge to keep you building and fleshing out your park without feeling like you're struggling against artificial deadlines. It's easy to complete a 3 year goal in the first year, then spend hours continuing to build the park to match your vision of it. Watching long lines form at your exciting custom coaster is more satisfying than any financial reward. The coasters' very real physics make this a true sandbox game even without the park's large assortment of other features. A wealth of scenery and ride options are available to enable almost any theme, including Western, fantasy, sci-fi, Egyptian, and many more. Fully customizable terrain lets you extend the built-in scenery in infinite ways, a la Minecraft. Even the downsides of running a popular park, such as sick guests, vandalism, and ride accidents, are handled in a matter-of-fact way that never breaks the idyllic atmosphere. The game strongly emphasizes coasters. Nothing else interests guests enough to fill your virtual coffers. But you're still free to build a tranquil, low-key park with no coasters in sight. The options are endless. The only downside to reviewing Roller Coaster Tycoon is that it was such a monster hit, most of the world has probably already played it. Like the Sim games, there's something here for almost everyone, with the bonus that Roller Coaster Tycoon is a nearly flawless experience.

This game has to be one of my favourite sims out there. I love roller coasters and theme parks and this game captures creating one in such a perfect and fun manner. From the music on the Carousel to the clicking of the chain on the roller coaster you get totally immersed in this virtual environment.

This was the very first PC game that I ever owned, I couldn't even begin to describe all the hours I'd spent building the perfect parks, designing the ultimate rides. This game will always have a special place in my heart, and I'm glad that I will once again be able to spend endless hours poring over this classic.