Did you know that rollercoasters were originally invented, in their American form at least, as an attempt to rid the country of sin? Apparently LaMarcus Thompson, the "Father of the American Rollercoaster", was so sick of the disgraceful antics of his fellow citizens that he got to work building the Switchback Gravity Railway on Coney Island in an attempt to distract folk from their satanic ways. They were, in a way, (and yes, we're really stretching this) his flock, the amusement park his very own church. In Rollercoaster Tycoon 3: Complete Edition, you get the chance to replace Thompson, one hundred-and-one years after his death, as the high priest of all things theme park. You'll tend to your congregation of sinful peeps, purifying their tainted souls by having them puke $3 hotdogs through their noses while being shot through a loop at 149mph and praying for their lives as they dangle upside down on the broken Rolling Thunder you forgot to assign an engineer to. What glorious work you're doing.
Rollercoaster Tycoon 3 has been riding the rails since way back in 2004, a wonderfully colourful and silly, but also satisfyingly in-depth sim game that was the very first in the long-running series to have its theme parks represented in three whole dimensions – you can even jump aboard your elaborate creations for a terrifying spin from a first-person perspective, if you're brave enough.
The aim of the game here is a simple one: create amusement parks that please visiting hordes of peeps and make you a ton of sweet moolah so you can keep expanding, adding facilities and building monstrous rollercoasters that strike a balance between being terrifying enough to thrill but not so dangerous that punters end up covered in their lunch or buried headfirst in the surrounding terrain. There's a generous career mode included, with the base game providing eighteen themed scenarios for you to undertake, from creating and maintaining a good old-fashioned American theme park to building wild rides all over Area 51.
Each level tasks you with fulfilling various objectives at novice, entrepreneur and tycoon difficulty, becoming increasingly more complex as they go – however, thankfully, just hitting those novice targets is enough to unlock the next campaign scenario, so you shouldn't get bogged down or stuck at any point. This complete edition also comes with the game's two excellent DLC offerings, "Soaked" and "Wild", which add a further twenty-one scenarios to the action between them.
Getting to grips with Rollercoaster Tycoon 3: Complete Edition can be a little daunting starting out; there's certainly plenty to get your head around being in charge of your very own theme park, but the game does an excellent job of slowly immersing you in its various mechanics and there's an extensive tutorial section available to jump into at any time to get the low-down on any aspect of proceedings you may be having trouble with. Before long, you'll be tracking and monitoring ride popularity and gate numbers, raising and lowering prices as you go, hiring and firing staff, sticking bins and benches everywhere you can fit them and saving up your coins to build the rollercoaster of your dreams – that one big bad that'll bring all the peeps to your yard.
Although Rollercoaster Tycoon 3 does allow you to simply purchase pre-made coasters – among the plethora of other amusement types available – and these are something you should probably consider availing of in the early days of your career, the real meat here, the thing that keeps us coming back for more, is the surprisingly deep and endlessly fun construction elements. Building your own rides in this game is as involving and time-consuming as you want it to be, with lots of variables to take into account as you go.
Besides monetary restrictions – something you can side-line as you learn by jumping into the game's sandbox mode and building as big and wild as you like at zero cost – you'll need to consider and juggle all-manner of safety and psychological aspects before jumping aboard and testing out your creations from a first-person perspective. It's at this exact point, with a cold steel track stretched ominously ahead of you, that you'll begin to question whether you've added enough chain track to pull your carriage to the top of the ludicrously steep hill you've included, and whether or not there's enough straight track after the enormous speeding drop on the other side to enable you to take that steep looping corner without plummeting to the ground below. It takes a while to get to grips with the ins and out of things; we found ourselves re-running tests several times to get our creations safe for public use, but in no time you'll be banging out bad-boys that send the pulses of your peeps into overdrive and get those all-important gate receipts rolling in.
Of course, being the minister of your very own church of cool coasters also involves tending to more mundane aspects of daily life, and you'll need to keep an eye on how visiting peeps regard your park – by simply clicking on any one of thousands milling around and reading their thoughts – and making adjustments to keep them placated. Are their enough toilets? Do you have the requisite number of janitors and engineers to keep things ship-shape and are they happy with their wages? Have you taken out a newspaper advert or put discount vouchers in the latest issue of the local college magazine? Should you fire that one lazy popcorn vendor? There's a laundry list of things to think about here, but the game always does a clear and concise job of alerting you to problems and enabling you to fix them quickly (at least on earlier scenarios) through easy-to-parse menus and controls that do a great job of keeping things simple.
In fact, in terms of the controls, we've been very pleasantly surprised by how things have been adapted here for Switch. There may be no touchscreen controls but, to be honest, the game doesn't need them as the two radial menus – one at each side of the bottom of your screen – do a perfect job of giving you access to everything you need by simply holding in either the left or right shoulder button and selecting where you need to be with either of the thumbsticks.
The camera is rotated, moved and zoomed in and out via a combination of the thumbsticks and ZL and ZR buttons, and further options can be accessed by holding down the back button to jump to a menu at the top of the screen. You can even go old school and enable a free cursor controlled with the right stick by clicking in the very same stick, which we found to be mega-handy in a few select instances. Having played the game over the years on various platforms it really was the control aspect of things we were most concerned with here, but QLOC – the studio behind the Switch port – has done a bang-up job in ensuring everything is perfectly accessible and easy to get to grips with.
In terms of performance, this is a pretty old game that doesn't tax the Switch too much in either docked or handheld modes. However, much like previous versions on other platforms, there can be some issues with some slight stuttering on occasion when your parks begin to get properly big and busy. It's certainly not enough to detract from the fun, but it's worth noting as an issue that does still exist in this new release.
Graphically, there's been a HD overhaul here, but certainly not a full remaster or anything of that sort – this still looks like a 2004 game in many ways, especially when staring into the maw of a terrified peep – but it's a pleasingly colourful affair and the various themes and scenarios that you'll encounter throughout the meaty campaign and DLC all look pretty good. Water effects are reasonably impressive, there's a nice day and night cycle, fireworks displays look suitably spectacular and speeding around your coasters in first-person is as delightful now as it was back when this game was considered fairly cutting edge stuff.
With regards to negatives, well, things can be a little finicky here and there; as with any sim-typed game, it took us quite a while to get a handle on building steep steps up to complex constructions that towered above our parks and the mechanics of water-based rides aren't initially very well explained – the expansive tutorial section does help in this regard.
However, overall, Rollercoaster Tycoon 3: Complete Edition on Switch feels like a success, a big and generous package – especially at the very reasonable price-point – that's stuffed to the gills with theme park fun and features a surprisingly well-implemented control scheme that makes playing in both docked and handheld modes a joy. We found ourselves getting fully lost in building coasters and maintaining our parks in this one, adding little bespoke touches and flourishes here and there as we played through for review, and you should absolutely prepare to lose dozens of hours as you diligently watch over and tend to your park and the great sea of sinful peeps who visit.
Conclusion
Rollercoaster Tycoon 3: Complete Edition brings the classic theme park building sim and all of its DLC to Switch in a generously priced package that's hard to knock. A very well-implemented control scheme streamlines the potentially fussy business of managing menus and constructing great big behemoths and, besides a few judders here and there when your park gets crazy busy – a problem inherited from earlier versions of the game – the whole thing runs pretty smoothly in docked and handheld modes while still managing to look good (thanks in part to a HD lick of paint) some sixteen years after its original release. This is one ride Switch sim fans should absolutely consider jumping aboard.
Comments 80
Rather have Zoo Tycoon.
Brilliant, one of my favourite sims from back then. Got the expansions for Christmas back in about ‘06.
Great news! Will pick it up on a future discount though
I enjoyed the pc version back in the day so I might pick this up. The pc version is free on Epic Games right now in case you want to try it out before considering the Switch version.
I probably get the craving for this sort of game once or twice a year so I'll throw it on the wish list and maybe pick it up if there's ever a tempting enough sale.
Unfinished tracks, here I come!
Shame this is free on PC this week, unless you're really into handheld mode I'd save your money.
I used to love making a coaster that spilled all the carts right down the main entrance path knocking everyone out like a huge bowling alley. Good times.
eShop is a easy pass....physical.
I have the original on PC but will get the enhanced edition on PC and might pick up at someone point the Switch version as well. Planet Coaster on PC (the spiritual sucessor of Roller Coaster Tycoon made by Frontier as well) is fun, but I never felt it was as magical than RCT3.
I'll wait for the OG roller coaster tycoon, which can be ported from the iphone/android to switch
RCT3 was my child/young teenhood, so downloaded immediately! (even better than I was able to use £5 of eshop gold points to bring it down to £15).
Unfortunate that there's no plans for a physical release.
Looking forward to start building my own Gardaland theme park all over again like I used to on the PC version... but now in handheld!
@PJOReilly The sub-headlines on this site are pretty great in general. But with this one you really brought it home.
Just wanted to let you know that you reached that one cineast that can appreciate it. 🏀
Haven't looked at the score yet but this is Nintendo Life so I'm going with 8/10?
Let's have a look: Lol
I grew up with RCT2 and never really liked the realistic graphics of 3. If that one would come to switch I'll pick it up right away!
@SirWalrus yeah it’s a bit low, should’ve been a 9, maybe even 10. RCT3 is just that good.
@Perryg92 I also will dig in soon. Is it true that it is almost too easy when you start with the Waterpatk DLC stuff already? In terms of income?
Because I mainly want to build a Waterpark.
This is another awesome addition, didn´t know it was coming!
What a great month, with Mario 3D All Stars, Ori and the Will of Wisps, Hades and this one. Wow.
@SirWalrus First 8 I've handed out in the past 11 game reviews.
🤔
Quite honestly I prefer the first and second one, since they were 2D.
Great game, but these releases are kinda weird. Last week the game was free on the Epicshop.
@Yanina oooh! it never really crossed my mind when I used to play. I predominately played in sandbox mode with unlimited money.
Sorry! that's a total non answer from me. It might be the case though that the "Soaked" DLC broke it a little and made it too easy.
I don't ever remember being low on money during the campaign missions.
This is quite literally a dream come true for me. One of my favorite games of all time!
Might just have to get this
Still in my top 5 favourite games of all time. But I'm going to see how the console release of Planet Coaster fairs as I still haven't owned it myself.
My designs and ideas have greatly expanded as I've grown up as well and aren't really achievable in RCT3.
But this for £20 is great and it looks like it plays well.
I find it to be too expensive.... €30....... i'll wait for a discount.... Great game tho!
Thank you Epic Games.
Put this on a cartridge, and I will buy.
UPDATE: Game just unlocked a day early, WOOHOO!
Can’t wait, pre-ordered as soon as was available. Tomorrow HURRY UP. 😃
So.
Many.
Games.
Not that I’m complaining...
I loved part one back in the day. Stayed up for three days straight playing it. I totally wasn’t expecting this to be good. I was heartbroken when it was originally released. My earliest memory of a run in with game breaking bugs! Looks like I’m taking the plunge back into this world...AND ON THE GO!!!!
I’m literally in the middle of reaching a climactic fight in Okami. If it wasn’t for that, I would on the eshop purchasing this game!
Might give it a try if the price is right.
This one is free for PC at this moment.
https://www.epicgames.com/store/en-US/product/rollercoaster-tycoon-3-complete-edition/home
Nice to see them doing a good job with games like this!
Do I get this or hold out for planet coaster on xbox??
This is probably one of my all time favorite video games and a must have for me on the Switch.
@doctorhino I used to love making a coaster that spilled all the carts right down the main entrance path knocking everyone out like a huge bowling alley. Good times.
I liked to put water just outside the exit of rides to watch everyone drown as they exit the ride. Bet they never thought that the Ferris Wheel would be their last ride.
@Crono1973 This stuff and the fact that it's 30 is going to make it hard to resist this becoming an impulse buy.
this is free on epic games store for the PC. ya know where Roller Coaster Tycoon should be played.
It’s on my watch list
Adding it to my wish list for the inevitable price cut.
Definitely getting this! Still one of my favourite games and now I can play on my way to work as well? I love my Switch!
@ZeldaMario1984 Why should it be played on the PC? I feel more relaxed playing games at the TV on my sofa personally.
I'll definitely pick this up at some point but have too many games to get through right now.
@Clyde_Radcliffe because thats where i started. the PC its also FREE on epic Games. Free is better than money my dude.
I played the first one to death and put some time into the second game as well, but I never was able to play RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 back in the day. I'll be giving this a look for sure, but it's a purchase that'll have to wait.
Just a heads up @PJOReilly your review mentions Nvizzio as the developers of RCT3 for Switch, but it's Frontier.
Nvizzio made the previous Switch game with Atari.
Unless I'm mistaken and they helped Frontier port it over?!?
I didn't see their names in the intro credits though.
i loved 1 & 2 as a kid. bought 3 eventually then too, but it chugged like a laggy mf when i tried playing it. Never got to actually "play" it. the 3d graphics killed my moms pc..
I want Open Transport Tycoon Deluxe on the Switch.
Is John D Rockefeller still working? HAHA.
@Yanina Right? My heart skipped a beat when I read that.
This is definitely in need of a mouse - or a large touch screen - to really enjoy to its fullest potential. The RCT games really are great but not sure the Switch is a good fit. As others have set, get yourself to the Epic Store this week to pick it up for free on PC.
I'll download this alongside Kirby Fighters 2 when I get the chance.
Like some have said I played the 1st one to death when it first hit the scene. Was so addicted. I dabbled in the 2nd one and was completely out of it by the time this one came out. I know how addicting they can be so I'll most likely stay clear of it. I do have time though since once Monster Hunter Rise releases nothing besides that will be played.
I think it looks very great, but i want to know the big differences between this game and Planet Coaster PS4 (Not talking about graphics but the main feature in building the fun park)
It'd be awesome if we could have the first 2 games as well. But either way this is a no brainer.
If that cruddy mobile port could get a physical then this should too.
thats cool, but I'm getting this on EGS as for its free this week.
I love rollercoaster tycoon.
Love it. Very calming game and it plays and runs great on Switch. I see myself spending a lot of time in this one.
@mr_benn The game controls are good. Of course a mouse is better, but it took me half an hour to get used to the controls and now it's easy as all hell.
Nice review. That first paragraph especially was excellent & had me chuckling!
I spent way too many hours on RT2 & I’m a little worried I might be too tempted by this! 😃
On the wish list it goes
Played the first two to death back in the day. I never really got into the third one, but riding the roller-coasters was cool.
@Perryg92 This has been corrected.
Insta-buy.
I have a PC but I can actually find time to play on my Switch, unlike my PC.
All I really needed to know was whether they'd nailed the controls, and it sounds like they have.
@Perryg92 Cheers for the heads up, mate, has been corrected now, my bad!
It's free on the Epic Game Store right now just FYI.
@PJOReilly Sweet!
Just thought i'd let you know. Totally was expecting a hardcore fan to jump in the comments saying "How dare you mix Frontier up with Nvizzio! it's an insult" xD
Interesting, I didn't realise it was outsourced to QLOC. They've done a great job of the port. Was hooked on it for hours after work last night. The option for a free cursor mode is great!
Great review too btw!
Ah good. I was poised to insta-download this but I wanted to get some confirmation that it was properly implemented on the Switch and "ran" well enough. It appears it does so thanks for the review.
@Perryg92 Cheers, it's a really good port alright!
I've got a copy of this gathering dust next to my PC which I bought a very long time ago. At this point rehashing a 16 year old game with minimal improvements is inexcusable. Why no RCT 4 or 5?
I bought this game as soon as I saw this review. Five hours later and I still haven’t built a coaster. The camera is wonky! What’s up with it moving every time I lay a piece of track? Makes it hard to keep up with what I’m doing. Having spent countless hours playing this series on PC, the idea of playing on the go was so exciting. Now, I’m disappointed and want my money back. Incredibly frustrating for me.
Just got it for free on egs. 20$ for this is a joke.
@NorseGamerTommy and i want DosBox.
@PJOReilly
How would you compare this to RollerCoaster Adventures?
@RodSD64 Haven't played Adventures I'm afraid, but it didn't review particularly well IIRC. There's a review by Dom on here, maybe best to check that out!
Fun fact: The "DLC" that is included were called "Expansion Packs" when they first released..... ahhhh the days of yore... Also, this game is fun.
I could not disagree more about the control scheme. This feels like they tried to adapt a mouse-centric game to a gamepad and failed miserably to make it feel good or intuitive.
First off, who implements a selection pie-wheel system and then requires you to first hold a shoulder button, then hold the direction you want to select, then press an ADDITIONAL button to confirm? Why not confirm as soon as the shoulder button is released?
Then you have the fact that Y is used as the catch-all action button instead of A, which throws me off constantly. It's especially egregious when building a coaster track because Y places the next track piece but ALSO selects the track piece under the cursor, so depending on where the camera happens to be facing when you try to build the next part, you may just end up selecting a completely different section of the track. This happens to me ALL THE TIME.
Finally, I can hardly count the number of ways in which the UI just makes zero sense and can't fathom who in their right mind play-tested this and thought, "Yeah, that works wonderfully."
Examples:
I've thought of about 5 other examples of truly baffling UI design issues, but this post is already way too long, so I'll just share what is, in my opinion, the absolute tippy top of the giant turd they call their user interface... and that is... You can't delete custom track layouts.
Let me just clarify that in case it didn't sink in. You can save (an unlimited number of) custom track designs, and each time you do, a new design is saved, even if you already have a literally identical one stored. But you can never, EVER delete those designs, so I hope you like seeing entries like "Rollercoaster 1 (3)" filling up your track list every time you go to build a coaster of that type from then on.
Seriously, the only help I could find online was to delete your entire profile and/or reinstall the game completely. ... There are no words.
DO NOT BUY THIS GAME!
The game is missing the ability to create waypoints which is critical to passing any of the scenarios with VIPS.
I opened a ticket with Frontier. They played dumb for a bit, but then admitted that this is a defect and they "might" fix it sometime in the future.
I always knew Frontier was a dumpster fire of a company, but they are literally stealing from people.
Since the Nintendo store does not allow reviews rot be posted, they will keep getting away with it.
How can I unlock new scenarios after becoming a tycoon ? The new scenarios is supposed to be unlock when I become a tycoon, but nothing happened. How I’ve completed 4 scenarios, and still has no new scenarios unlocked. The game is soon to be unplayable but I spend full price of money in it!!!
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