10 Best Zoo Management Games, Ranked

Simulation and tycoon video games have grown in popularity since the turn of the millennium, with countless unique twists and concepts being introduced yearly. One particular focus that has amassed numerous popular titles is zoo management. Everybody loves animals, so allowing players to interact with them seems like a great incentive to entice players to a game.

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Zoo games come in all shapes and sizes, from those focusing on the business and economic sides of running a zoo to those that shine more of a light on animal welfare and interactions. Some of these games have adapted to technological advancement with enhanced graphics and gameplay mechanics for a more immersive experience. In contrast, others have had to make do with the limited resources at their disposal.

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10

Zoo Empire Never Quite Managed To Emulate The Success Of Zoo Tycoon

In 2004, Zoo Empire sought to emulate the success that the classic Zoo Tycoon had managed and was released just before Zoo Tycoon 2. However, unlike the classic Zoo Tycoon, its sequel and Zoo Empire placed more emphasis on 3D visuals. This helped both games to add an extra layer of immersion and realism, but it took away the simple navigation that the classic tycoon game provided.

Zoo Empire enjoys a text-heavy UI with in-depth tutorials and mission descriptions. If not for games like Planet Zoo or Zoo Tycoon, players would be drawn to this game, but it has fallen to the wayside and is often overlooked.

9

World Of Zoo Focuses On Animal Interaction

World of Zoo is an enjoyable life simulation game released in 2009 for Windows, Nintendo DS, and the Nintendo Wii. Given the platforms that it was made for, there is no surprise that the premise revolves around the player pointing and clicking to interact with the various animals.

World Of Zoo is a fun and lively experience, but it can take a turn if the player clicks too vigorously or doesn’t care for the animals’ needs. Animals will attack if they feel threatened or annoyed, giving this laid-back game some stakes. World of Zoo can’t compete with Planet Zoo and Zoo Tycoon for a truly immersive zoo management experience, but it at least makes the animal interaction fun.

8

Wildlife Park 3 Is A Fun And Immersive Zoo Experience

Released in 2011, Wildlife Park 3 feels like a genuinely immersive zoo experience. Of course, most zoo management games are informative, but the explanations and descriptions in Wildlife Park 3 are extremely helpful. This even stretches to the point where clicking on a plant will detail its needs as if it is talking to the player.

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Wildlife Park 3 has since expanded its roster and selection of animals with seven expansion packs. These have even introduced mermaids and dinosaurs to the game. Wildlife Park 3 is often overlooked when compared to other zoo management games, but it’s good enough for those who want some silly fun.

7

Animals Joined RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 With The Wild! Expansion

The RollerCoaster Tycoon series has never been the same since the classic game was released in 1999. Since then, many games have tried to grow with the times and better technology, but they never truly recaptured that classic tycoon feeling.

In 2005 however, RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 ventured into the zoo world with its expansion Wild! Combining a theme park and a zoo would have been preferred in the classic RollerCoaster Tycoon game and format, but it was still an exciting inclusion. It added a fun variation on the same old RollerCoaster Tycoon tropes, and succeeded in breathing some new life into the franchise.

6

Zoo Tycoon 2013 Had Its Issues Translating The Beloved Franchise To Newer Platforms

The original Zoo Tycoon game and its sequel had been huge hits for both fans of animals and tycoon games in general. It was, therefore, inevitable that a remaster or rehash would arise in the future – to translate this successful franchise to newer consoles and graphics.

In 2013, Zoo Tycoon made it to Xbox One and Xbox 360. The Xbox One version supported the Kinect and allowed for 4-player online multiplayer. The game has faced a lot of backlash for over-complicating the beloved game, but it still holds up as a zoo management game. An improved remaster called Zoo Tycoon: Ultimate Animal Collection was later released in 2017, bringing its improved graphics and gameplay to Xbox One and Windows.

5

Jurassic World Evolution Allows Players To Create Their Own Jurassic Park

The Jurassic World Evolution series is the perfect twist on the standard zoo management and business simulation games. Whether players are fans of the Jurassic Park franchise, love dinosaurs, or simply like the idea of running a different kind of zoo, Jurassic World Evolution ticks several boxes.

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The first game did a terrific job introducing the premise, with players invited to create their own theme park with scientifically accurate dinosaurs. Still, the sequel improved on the original considerably. While not a traditional zoo experience, the dinosaurs are looked after, monitored, and enjoyed by visitors, as if they were animals in a typical zoo.

4

Zoo Tycoon 2 Made Some Ambitious Changes To The Original Game

Zoo Tycoon 2 made some ambitious changes in capitalizing on its predecessor’s success. Released in 2004, the sequel sought to bring players an even more immersive experience. It moved away from the original’s distant and more business-like tycoon feel, giving players the chance to get a ground view of the zoo and its animals.

Like the original Zoo Tycoon, the sequel also released several expansion packs, making for an overall stacked animal roster and a complete zoo experience for players. Zoo Tycoon 2 felt way ahead of its time in 2004, with many fans still considering it the best of the franchise.

3

Let’s Build A Zoo Introduces DNA Splicing With Ridiculous Results

Let’s Build A Zoo is one of the more recent additions to the zoo management family, having been released on PC in 2021 and on consoles in September 2022. On the face of it, this game is another zoo simulation with a cute art style and laid-back gameplay. Yet, in reality, it can get dark and weird.

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Players are faced with plenty of choices in Let’s Build A Zoo. They can run their zoo above board or resort to extortion and law-breaking. Where the game differs from other zoo titles, however, is with its DNA splicing. Players can create new species by stitching certain animals together, with countless hilarious results.

2

Planet Zoo Is The Most Authentic And Best-Looking Zoo Game

Planet Zoo was a highly-anticipated construction and management sim released in 2019. Fans of the Zoo Tycoon franchise looked to Planet Zoo as everything that the 2013 Zoo Tycoon reboot was not. Planet Zoo duly stepped up with its impressive graphics and realism, allowing an immersive experience perfect for animal lovers.

Planet Zoo has released numerous DLC packs since; still going into 2022. The original Zoo Tycoon may be less complex and easier to navigate, but Planet Zoo allows players to meticulously craft every tiny detail of their zoo how they want to.

1

The Classic Zoo Tycoon Is A Quintessential Tycoon Experience

The classic Zoo Tycoon was released in 2001 and remains the best tycoon experience of its franchise. Players could tackle certain scenarios or launch their own freeform game to build a successful zoo from scratch. There was a certain simplicity and charm to it that didn’t require fancy graphics, but also didn’t disappoint with its gameplay or animation.

Zoo Tycoon can still be enjoyed just as much today as it could back at its release. Its later DLC packs, Dinosaur Digs and Marine Mania, only helped push the game even further. With all the expansion packs, players could get stuck into the best zoo game experience out there.

NEXT: 10 Best Video Games With Animal Protagonists