Play Roller Coaster Games
From LoveToKnow Themeparks
The opportunity to play roller coaster games can keep coaster fans amused and entertained during the long winter months when most theme parks are closed for the season, and intricate computer games can also give fans a chance to experience a glimpse of the engineering skills, management techniques, and other key factors necessary to run a world class park.
Types of Roller Coaster Games
There are several different types of roller coaster games to enjoy.
- Construction Games: Construction style games allow players to build the coasters of their dreams. Different track styles, environmental factors, and game goals add unique challenges. These may be computer games or actual models players can construct.
- Park Management Games: Simulation style games often feature many park management details, from hiring employees to setting prices to ensuring the park is clean. Adding rides and roller coasters are part of the overall game play.
- Science Games: Science-oriented games focus on the detailed engineering necessary to create a successful roller coaster and also serve as educational tools about the properties and influences of friction, gravity, speed, and other factors.
- Coaster Theme Games: Some games may not involve much design play but feature fun roller coaster settings players can enjoy.
- Online Games: Online games may use construction or simulation techniques but they generally offer players the opportunity to share their designs with other roller coaster fans as well as the chance to download new game features or scenarios.
Popular Game Titles
The titles below are some of today’s most popular options for anyone who wants to play roller coaster games.
- Roller Coaster Tycoon: This is the most successful theme park and roller coaster game on the market and has generated several sequels and expansion packs. Players complete elaborate scenarios and manage different types of theme parks in addition to building, testing, and riding their own roller coasters.
- NoLimits: This design and construction game offers players more than 70 pre-built coaster designs or their choice of two dozen track styles to build. The exceptional realism of these simulated designs makes this a favorite game for players interested in true roller coaster engineering.
- Ultimate Ride: This simulation game allows players to build their own coasters and then ride them with realistic on-ride video clips. Different design modes let players complete scenarios or build the wildest coasters they can imagine. A Disney version of this game is also available and includes Disney-inspired props and rides.
- SimCoaster: Part of the popular Sims universe, this game is an updated version of the older Sim Theme Park game. Like Roller Coaster Tycoon, it is a complete park management simulation but offers players many more details to manage such as employee wages and other intricate nuances.
- Funderstanding Roller Coaster: This simple online roller coaster game is basic but addictive. Players can manipulate physics concepts such as speed, gravity, friction, mass, and hill height to control their coaster car, and the goal is to successfully navigate through a loop without the car rolling back or careening off the track.
- Sci-Quest: This online simulation allows players to interchange roller coaster parts such as hills and loops to create a fun ride. While not as technical as the Funderstanding Roller Coaster, this version is more suitable for younger players and still embraces various science concepts for a fun educational tool.
- 3D Ultra Pinball Thrillride: This colorful pinball game races through the environment of Hersheypark and includes the park’s major roller coasters and other rides as bonus levels and special features.
In addition to these popular titles, many similar roller coaster games are available, from factory-style construction platforms to simulations to management games. Generally less detailed, the smaller games can give players a taste of the fun to serve as a trial before opting for more elaborate and more expensive games.
Where to Buy Games
Roller coaster games can be found in many places, though only the most popular titles are regularly available from retail stores and games dealers. Older titles can often be found through online auctions or they may be available as downloadable versions at little or no cost. Before buying an older game, however, players should check the game specifications to ensure they will be able to play the game on their current computer equipment.
Depending on the version of the game and whether or not it is new, costs range from less than $10 to $40 or more. More expensive versions are likely to include a wider range of features and greater detail, and may even incorporate previously released expansion packs and other bonuses.
Tips to Play Roller Coaster Games
Playing roller coaster and theme park games can be nearly as fun as visiting a park, but without the long lines or high ticket prices. To get the most out of a game…
- Pay attention to physics and other science concepts. What may look like a fabulous ride could be boring or dangerous if the scientific aspects aren’t carefully considered.
- Save successful track designs and park layouts to reuse in other levels or to share with other players.
- Experiment with different types of play, coaster designs, and new features to build outrageous rides that can be popular attractions.
When parks are closed and rides are quiet for the season, coaster fans can play roller coaster games for excitement and thrills while they await the newest attractions on opening day. With so many options available for coaster and park games, there are fun options for every coaster fan to experiment with making the ultimate roller coaster.
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