Review of Roller Coaster Tycoon Classic

Ever have one of those games you just can’t get enough of, even though you’re not exactly a pro at it? For me, that’s definitely RollerCoaster Tycoon. I’ve spent countless hours immersed in both the original game and its iconic sequel. To be honest, creating my own coasters and managing the park has never been my forte. Instead, I’ve always enjoyed the chaos of watching tiny people roam around in what inevitably turns out to be a maze of my disorganized imagination. The original games hold a special place in the hearts of many, and the often-criticized follow-ups just couldn’t capture the essence that made them so beloved. So, imagine the thrill when RollerCoaster Tycoon Classic was unexpectedly announced and dropped—a dedicated port of the amazing mobile version. While it might take some getting used to, this is an awesome way to dive back into the peak of park management simulations.

RollerCoaster Tycoon is your classic management simulator. You play as an all-seeing park director whose mission is to meet specific challenges within a time limit while setting up your parks in diverse locations. Sometimes, it’s as straightforward as attracting a set number of guests with a favorable rating by a deadline. Other times, it demands reaching a certain profit level. How you achieve these goals is entirely up to your creativity. The game offers a wide array of maps, each presenting its unique challenge—from a desert housing an elaborate ride to a lake where most attractions need to sit atop the water. You might also take over existing parks like Six Flags or face parks designed with distinct thematic challenges. There’s a generous selection of rides, and most allow for custom designs, so you can decide the track layout and decorations. Just make sure to manage your budget wisely, keep paths tidy, and ensure guest safety.

The core of RCT’s gameplay is incredibly satisfying. I love constructing—okay, maybe “attempting to construct” might be more accurate—exciting rollercoasters and rides. Watching guest reactions and gradually tweaking my creations is a joy. However, while there are several tutorials, I worry they might not cover enough for newcomers to grasp the deeper mechanics. You’ll pick up a lot simply by experimenting with ride tests, listening to guest feedback, and exploring the menus. The scope for customization is impressive, particularly once you delve into terrain alteration, underground pathways, and scenery arrangement. No two parks will ever look the same, and the more you understand the mechanics, the better your parks become at generating revenue and drawing crowds. For those wanting to let their imagination run wild, there’s a designer mode where you can create and save full rides with scenery for future use. However, the absence of a ‘scenario editor’—offering a sandbox mode—is a notable omission in this version. It’s a shame because it let you go wild with unlimited money, creating your perfect theme park without worrying about ratings.

Visually, the game stays true to the original PC release, boasting a timeless appeal with its sound effects, music, and the way crowds scatter like ants across your park. It’s delightful both in action and frozen snapshots—fortunate since you’ll likely spend hours immersed in its world. However, there’s noticeable stuttering when zooming out, an issue the Switch struggles with. Given that RCT Classic started as a mobile game, this is particularly surprising—and disappointing—when considering the controls.

Originally tailored for mouse and keyboard, adapting RCT’s controls for a console must have been tricky. For the most part, they work okay. Building rides and laying paths is manageable: use the A-button for confirmation and the directional buttons to change directions. The right stick controls camera movement, with ZL and ZR for zooming and rotation. This setup takes some getting used to but is generally effective. My primary issue lies with cursor movement. The unchangeable speed makes it cumbersome to navigate from top-screen management features to bottom-screen construction options. Shortcuts via X and Y buttons speed up this process a bit, but don’t actually open these menus. Fully customizable controls with quicker, more intuitive shortcuts would greatly enhance the experience. Tasks like laying pathways can feel overly time-consuming. The bridges menu, crucial for creating paths that cross others, requires exiting and re-entering the path menu to modify locations, which is tedious. It’s especially disappointing for someone like me who often plays the Switch in handheld mode to discover the lack of touch support. Given its roots as a mobile game with touch controls, this absence seems like a missed opportunity.

RollerCoaster Tycoon Classic does a commendable job in translating the essence of the original management classic to the Switch. Despite some hiccups with controls and performance, it remains one of the most comprehensive and intricate RCT versions available. Die-hard fans might prefer sticking to Open RCT2 on PC, but for casual players yearning for a nostalgic thrill, this Switch edition is a fantastic way to relive the magic. Newcomers might find the ride a bit rough at the start, but the blend of design freedom, numerous challenges, and endless creativity makes this a worthwhile experience. Who knows, maybe this time I’ll finally master the art of coaster design and create the dream park I’ve always envisioned from the title screens.