RollerCoaster Tycoon on Nintendo 3DS

[Bryce]

^DO NOT get EA's Theme Park for iPad,. It's a money trap trust me.

 

I know... 60 bucks for a roller coaster? No thanks.

[Ace Of Spades]

Sadly, AirCoaster is still the only decent theme park related game on the iPhone. I suspect that, with the advent of all the blazingly stupid "Farmville-esque" strategy games on phones, we'll never see a proper theme park game, and even if RCT in some variation makes the jump to iDevices, it'll be neutered with "Coaster Bux" or some such hideous nonsense.

[Sheep-O-Matic]

I know news about the game is vague and very few people are excited for the newest RCT installment being on the 3DS. But I just wanted to say, I contacted Atari via Twitter, and asked thm about an RCT4 or just a new RCT game for the PC in general. And this is all they wrote back:

 

"3DS is coming but there is no official release date yet. As for another PC game, maybe someday but no plans at the moment."

 

I then asked them what made them feel that RCT should be on the 3DS instead of the PC. No answer yet, and I won't hold my breath.

 

It will still remain a mystery I guess. But honestly, I see no profit for them making the game 3DS exclusive. Think about it... 1 out of every 100 people have a 3DS... yet, how many of us have PCs? Now, which would sell more?

 

Anyway I won't gripe any longer. I hope they realize their huge mistake though.

Edited July 30, 2012 by QueerRudie

[A.J.]

RollerCoaster Tycoon 3D as a concept is not a huge mistake.

 

RollerCoaster Tycoon has been and will always be first and foremost A GAME, and not a design tool. A design tool is something like NoLimits, 3DS Max, Revit Architecture, Inventor, Blender, Rhino, or Maya, among others.

 

That being said, it's a shame that the game did so poorly. Sounds like Atari has really brought the series downhill.

Edited July 30, 2012 by A.J.

[MrSum1_55]

According to the reviews, one of the problems listed was the limit placed on rides and shops. All I can say is "WTF?" This was the exact same reason most people disliked Thrillville. And, if you read through Atari forums posting if what people wanted in the game, multiple posts can be found explaining that no fanboy wants to see the game become more like Thrillville.

 

One thing I do have to wonder is if anyone on Atari actually read that fourm. They included a lot of what people didn't ask for, but nothing new people actually asked for. Although a DS may not be able to support large parks like a PC can, for the limitations to be a detriment on the review probably means there are more limitations than were needed.

 

Putting the game on a new console does admittidely give Atari an 'A' for effort, but a 'D' for disappointment.

[Sheep-O-Matic]

@ A.J.

 

If this 3DS debut is not a huge mistake, why are you saying Atari has brought the series "downhill"?

 

The game is going to suck, and they KNOW it. Hence why they keep pushing the release date further and further away, and not releasing any more information on the game. It's like they're embarrassed of it, and I for one don't blame them.

 

But for them to reply in that tweet saying they have no plans at the moment of making a new PC debut withers my faith in them as a company; because it shows me that deep down, they don't give a **** if they're pleasing the fans or not, they're going to "experiment" with a franchise that made them millions in the past.

 

My favorite motto:

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

[A.J.]

RollerCoaster Tycoon 3D as a concept is not a huge mistake.

The concept is great! I would absolutely love to have RollerCoaster Tycoon on an ultraportable device like my 3DS. At this point, I play the scenarios more than I create original park designs. The concept of RollerCoaster Tycoon 3D is not a mistake.

 

Unfortunately, it looks like the execution is pretty poor.

 

Concept =/= execution.

[Weeman]

I'm sorry, but RCT3 felt like a disappointment to me when it came out, and this sets the bar way lower.

 

Noticed how the trailer has no gameplay in it? There's a red flag right there...

[Sheep-O-Matic]

^

I'm not saying RCT3 did everything right. But the concept was executed well for the most part... It did feel like a different game that just had the RCT name, but that's what companies are doing with well-known franchises now. But to steer the franchise away from it's birthplace (PC) seems like they're taking to too far;and this new game looks anything but spectacular (both graphic and story wise).

[MrSum1_55]

One thing I realized is that this may very well be the first bad RCT game. Before this point, every single full RCT game has received overwhelmingly positive reviews. All of the expansion sets, with the exception of the RCT2 expansion sets, were all well-reviewed as well.

 

Atari, let Frontier handle the game next time, if Chris Sawyer is not going to keep developing the series. Frontier has had plenty of hits when it comes to theme park games; they did a good job making the last RCT game, considering that they are not the original developers of the series. They also made the more kid friendly Thrillville games and Kinect Disneyland Adventures. The point is, Frontier has yet to make a badly-reviewed theme park game. Frontier should have been the company to continue the series.

 

The RCT series, unless changes happen, has gone downhill. Hopefully, Frontier's new theme park game will be a somewhat worthy substitute for the RCT series.

[stashua123]

Seriously story mode?!!?!?!??!This series has gone DOWNHILL! I loved rct1,2, and even 3 but this seriously?!?

[SoCalCoasters]

I also Tweeted Atari about the game, and they gave me the "no date yet" response...

[Sheep-O-Matic]

^ To everyone above:

 

Totally agree.

Though RCT3 wasn't perfect, Frontier was on the right track. I believe if they had another shot at a PC debut, they'd make it flawless for the most part. But obviously Frontier's mystery rollercoaster game is not going to be a new RCT title, being the fact that Atari told me they "have no plans for that at the moment".

 

Atari seems to be anything but excited about RCT3D. So, why are they continuing with it? That is still a mystery... But it was their fault for posting this on August 14, 2010:

 

"We are thinking hard about the next Rollercoaster Tycoon game on PC. We have a question for you, our loyal fanbase. How ready are you for the next Rollercoaster Tycoon? In the years since the last version, what are the key features you’ve dreamed about for the next release? What would make you rush out, buy it, and keep playing it? We’d like to know!"

 

But what do I know? Maybe they are still going to do it, and RCT3D is something to "hold us over" until they announce this new PC game... But still, the existence of RCT3D seems pointless (especially if they're going to make a new RCT for the PC in a couple more years). Honestly, I'd rather wait a few years without a new RCT game than have RCT3D come out. I hate the idea of totally skipping out on a new RCT game, but in this case, I have to. Even if I had a 3DS, I would not want this game because it looks so bad.

Edited August 10, 2012 by A.J.

[A.J.]

Maybe you won't. But children will. The same kind of children who bought the original RollerCoaster Tycoon way back in the 90s will buy this game now (I was eight when I got my copy) because that's exactly what it is - a game. The original RCT was not a design tool by any means except for when Mega Park was unlocked. You still had to go through all the scenarios and beat the game.

[Sheep-O-Matic]

But for a series that has advanced in so many ways over the years, this 3DS one is a giant step backwards. Even RCT1 looks better than this crap.

[Angry_Gumball]

I received an email from the Big N earlier (Nintendo) as I'm subscribed to their newsletter. Along with advertising their new Mario game for the 3DS system, they also featured RCT3D and the landing page has all the info you want about it.

 

Game Overview

 

The next installment of the hit RollerCoaster Tycoon franchise is here…and this time, it’s in 3D!

 

Meet the Rocket Coaster Company, an energetic and small group of coaster fanatics. Run by your father, a world-renowned roller coaster genius, the RCC is poised to change the world with its incredible designs and style. Unfortunately your father is a bit of a scatterbrain and is far too busy dreaming up new rides and roller coasters to get the company off the ground.

 

This is where you, the player comes in as your father has decided that spending your time helping him out is more important than your summer vacation! Aided by a friend of the family and an old retired theme park industry veteran, the player is tasked to take the reins to get a foothold in the theme park world. Take on jobs, help design coasters, and even manage your own theme parks as you push the RCC to the top!

 

• An extensive coaster construction system and robust theme park customization with a user-friendly, touchscreen toolset

• A deep and immersive management simulation experience compressed into a handheld form, creating a challenging yet manageable take on the genre for players of all ages

• An entirely new gameplay mode called "Coaster Story", which blends together tutorials and park challenges into a cohesive and entertaining narrative and offers players tons of special unlockable content

• The open-ended "Park Sandbox" mode allows more experienced players to start building their theme park without a moment’s delay

• Keep your Peeps happy as you manage and customize your park with a wide array of attractions, concessions and more

• Take a wild ride on your coasters in 3D and capture your own face in the action

• Gyro sensor allow players to look around their theme park by simply tilting their Nintendo 3DS

• The auto-complete function allows players to effortlessly complete a full roller coaster circuit with a simple tap of the stylus

• Share your coasters with friends through StreetPass™

• Invite friends to your theme park through Mii Plaza™

http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/WuWsHiCu5R_f1OwiPIyEsyxpdXhfAlj4?om_rid=AACxmC&om_mid=_BQOByMB8tq4gKp

 

In the end, it sounds very "Thrillville" though it does have a sandbox mode. It's set to release in Fall 2012. Personally I think RCT is meant to be a PC game. I like my coaster's loops to be round, not look like stop signs.

 

Here's some screenshots they have on their page as well:

 

 

 

[JonnyRCT3]

Dosen't look that bad actually. I just hope thier working on RCT4!

[SoCalCoasters]

This Nintendo Power (RIP) review I posted a page back brought up some issues that I was very sad to see:

 

- Build plenty rollercoasters in Coaster Story mode

- This mode has players helping tycoons revitalize their parks

- Help them raise money and attract guests

- Missions are generally simple but decently paced

- They challenge your coaster-constructing skills as well

- Fun to experiment with the coaster types to see what you can create

- Build and save up to nine rides using the separate Coaster Creator mode

- Pull your creations later to fulfill Coaster Story mission objectives

- Sandbox Mode is “a huge letdown”

- Unlimited funds, big plot of land available

- Very small limit on the number of rides, coaster parts, scenery pieces, shops, and footpaths that can be added to the park

- Lacks details that gave older entries some of their charm

- Can’t check guest statuses

- Can’t name rides

- Interface is cumbersome, making reconstructing sections of roller coasters difficult

- Can’t modify a coaster’s track without deleting each pieces that follows the area you wish to change

 

It just appears to be an extremely limited and watered down version of RCT3. Also, I KNOW the 3DS is capable of MUCH better than what is being displayed here. Hopefully the time the game is being delayed is being sent on fixing these issues.

[A.J.]

Ahem...

The same kind of children who bought the original RollerCoaster Tycoon way back in the 90s will buy this game now (I was eight when I got my copy) because that's exactly what it is - a game. The original RCT was not a design tool by any means except for when Mega Park was unlocked. You still had to go through all the scenarios and beat the game.

Edited August 26, 2012 by A.J.

[Ace Of Spades]

^But when this can't even measure up to what could technically be done by the very first RCT that was meant to run on computers with less processing power than a 3DS...there's a very serious problem beyond "is it a game or a design tool?".

[MrSum1_55]

I just wish that a true theme park design tool could be released. Although there are some great coaster design tools, like No Limits, on the market now, I wish something like the "No Limits of theme parks" could be released. As in, a program designed for making great parks and not mainly scenarios. It would have something like a No Limits coaster editor, but also a mode designed for making realistic parks.

 

Alas, it would be highly unlikely for a program like that to come on the market within the next ten years. We may have to wait quite a while for a theme park game not made for young kids. Right now, RCT is by far the closest we have to that, and it is clear Atari is not paying that much attention to this part of the fanbase.