75
Faithfully reproduces the ZT experience, from building exhibits and guest facilities to managing cash flow. [Nov 2005, p.112]
40
There's very little to redeem a generally poor effort to create a tycoon game for the DS that has any personality or creates any real fun for the player.
54
Zoo Tycoon DS captures the basic idea of what a Zoo Tycoon game is all about, but in the end it feels more like a cheaply made imitation than an engaging strategy game.
6
It is a solid management sim, but it’s not really in the same league as RCT.
5
Basically Theme Park with animals, this is a resource management strategy game where you construct a zoo from a menu of available ingredients. Competently enough done if you like that sort of thing but it all looks very "16 BIT".
2
[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]
Zoo Tycoon (2001)
DS
Released On:
Oct 11, 2005
Metascore
Generally Unfavorable
44
User score
Mixed or Average
5.1
My Score
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Metascore
Generally Unfavorable
5% Positive
1 Review
1 Review
37% Mixed
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
58% Negative
11 Reviews
11 Reviews
75
Faithfully reproduces the ZT experience, from building exhibits and guest facilities to managing cash flow. [Nov 2005, p.112]
54
Zoo Tycoon DS captures the basic idea of what a Zoo Tycoon game is all about, but in the end it feels more like a cheaply made imitation than an engaging strategy game.
User score
Mixed or Average
27% Positive
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
27% Mixed
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
47% Negative
7 Ratings
7 Ratings
Aug 26, 2025
6
It is a solid management sim, but it’s not really in the same league as RCT.
Jun 3, 2023
5
Basically Theme Park with animals, this is a resource management strategy game where you construct a zoo from a menu of available ingredients. Competently enough done if you like that sort of thing but it all looks very "16 BIT".
50
This could've been a fun game, but the poor touch screen implementation, annoying menus, and tedious gameplay do a pretty good job of shooting it in the foot. Give it a miss.
45
And I don’t have to tell you all that when a game looks as bad as this one, it really makes it a stretch to keep playing.
40
The tiny, blocky graphics do little to immerse you into the park, and the unwieldy controls make relatively simple actions needlessly difficult.
35
This game is bad. It's not painfully bad, but it will bore you into hatred.
16
I'm so bored, I started watching people on the security cameras...and this happened today.
SummaryBuild, manage, and maintain the most healthy and vibrant zoo possible with over 200 animals, exhibits, and zoo materials. Plan wisely, and all of your animals will be happy. Plan poorly, and those lions, tigers, and bears may find a new found interest in you! [Microsoft]
Rated Efor Everyone
