Top Planet Coaster Alternatives for Park Building Enthusiasts
Planet Coaster is the future of coaster park simulation games, renowned for its ability to let players surprise, delight, and thrill incredible crowds as they build their coaster park empire. While Planet Coaster offers an unparalleled level of creative freedom and detailed simulation, many park-building enthusiasts seek out a Planet Coaster alternative for various reasons, including different gameplay styles, pricing, platform availability, or specific features. This article delves into the best alternatives that can satisfy your theme park management cravings.
The Best Planet Coaster Alternatives
Whether you're looking for open-source flexibility, a nostalgic trip down memory lane, or a fresh take on park simulation, these alternatives offer unique experiences that rival Planet Coaster's charm and depth.
OpenRCT2
OpenRCT2 is an excellent open-source game engine recreation of the classic simulation game Rollercoaster Tycoon 2. It's a fantastic Planet Coaster alternative for those who appreciate the nostalgia of the original while benefiting from modern enhancements like multiplayer and single-player modes. Available for Free on Mac, Windows, and Linux, OpenRCT2 offers a robust and community-driven experience.
Rollercoaster Tycoon 2
Rollercoaster Tycoon 2 allows you to stretch your imagination further to build bigger parks and higher coasters, making it a timeless Planet Coaster alternative. This commercial title, available on Windows, Steam, and SteamOS, is perfect for those who want a direct link to the genre's roots without the extensive modern graphics, focusing purely on park management and coaster design.
Parkitect
Parkitect is a modern commercial game where you can build the theme park of your dreams and keep it running with meticulous design and placement of rides. As a superb Planet Coaster alternative, it provides a deep park management simulation with a charming isometric art style. It's available on Commercial platforms like Mac, Windows, Linux, Steam, GOG.com, and GOG Galaxy, offering a focused gaming experience.
NoLimits Roller Coaster Simulator
NoLimits Roller Coaster Simulator is the ultimate roller coaster simulation, focusing intensely on realistic coaster design and physics. While not a park management game in the same vein as Planet Coaster, it's an excellent Planet Coaster alternative for those who prioritize the intricate engineering and simulation of roller coasters. This commercial software is available for Mac and Windows, providing a highly detailed simulation experience.
Jurassic World Evolution
Jurassic World Evolution places you at the heart of the Jurassic franchise, allowing you to build and manage your own dinosaur park. This commercial title, available on Windows, Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox, offers a unique take on the park management genre, serving as an exciting Planet Coaster alternative for those who want a prehistoric twist on theme park building with a focus on creature management rather than just rides.
Choosing the best Planet Coaster alternative depends entirely on what aspects of park simulation you value most. Whether it's the open-source community, classic gameplay, realistic coaster design, or a unique theme, there's an option out there to help you build the park of your dreams.