RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

RollerCoaster Tycoon 2 (or RCT2 for short) is the second installment in the RollerCoaster Tycoon series. Like in its predecessor, the player must build successful theme parks to fulfill a set of objectives in various scenarios. The game was further expanded with two expansion packs, Wacky Worlds and Time Twister, which brought more themes and theme-inspired derivatives of existing rides, as well as new scenarios. These two add-ons were not worked on by Chris Sawyer.

RollerCoaster Tycoon 2 uses the same game engine as the first game, but somewhat optimized to sport more polished graphics, higher resolutions, a more intelligent guest AI and the ability to stack scenery items, enabling the creations of wonders of architecture.

New features

  • Scenario Editor
  • The ability to create a new scenario from a saved game
  • Roller Coaster creator (sandbox mode)
  • Ride track manager
  • Ability to use the Shift key to change the elevation of rides, paths and scenery
  • Ability to use the Ctrl key to set an automatic height, making it easy to place several times a scenery item at the same height
  • Automatic scenery removal during ride and path construction
  • Custom scenery, rides, parks, scenarios and paths support
  • General scenery removal function, along with path removal function

Release dates

  • North America: October 14, 2002
  • Europe: October 24, 2002
  • Australia: October 18, 2002

Attractions

Transport Rides  

Gentle Rides  

Roller Coasters  

RCT2 Icon
 

Air Powered Vertical Coaster
(Air Powered Vertical Coaster)
Loopy Landscapes

RCT2 Icon
 

Bobsleigh Coaster
(Bobsleigh Coaster)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 1

RCT2 Icon
 

Flying Turns
(Bobsleigh Coaster)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

RCT2 Icon
 

Inverted Coaster Train
(Compact Inverted Coaster)
Loopy Landscapes

RCT2 Icon
 

Inverted Shuttle Coaster
(Compact Inverted Coaster)
Loopy Landscapes

RCT2 Icon
 

Inverted Vertical Shuttle
(Compact Inverted Coaster)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

RCT2 Icon
 

Corkscrew Roller Coaster
(Corkscrew Roller Coaster)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 1

RCT2 Icon
 

Hypercoaster
(Hypercoaster)
Loopy Landscapes

RCT2 Icon
 

Flying Roller Coaster
(Flying Roller Coaster)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

RCT2 Icon
 

Giga Coaster
(Giga Coaster)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

RCT2 Icon
 

Heartline Twister Coaster
(Heartline Twister Coaster)
Added Attractions

RCT2 Icon
 

Heartline Twister Coaster (starting reversed)
(Heartline Twister Coaster)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

RCT2 Icon
 

Inverted Hairpin Coaster
(Inverted Hairpin Coaster)
Loopy Landscapes

RCT2 Icon
 

Inverted Impulse Coaster
(Inverted Impulse Coaster)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

RCT2 Icon
 

4-Across Inverted Roller Coaster
(Inverted Roller Coaster)
Loopy Landscapes

RCT2 Icon
 

Ladybird Trains
(Steel Mini Roller Coaster) (RCT1)
(Junior Roller Coaster) (RCT2)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 1

RCT2 Icon
 

Log Trains
(Steel Mini Roller Coaster) (RCT1)
(Junior Roller Coaster) (RCT2)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 1

RCT2 Icon
 

LIM Launched Roller Coaster
(LIM Launched Roller Coaster)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

RCT2 Icon
 

Flying Roller Coaster (RCT1)
Lay-down Roller Coaster (RCT2)
(Lay-down Roller Coaster)
Added Attractions

RCT2 Icon
 

Looping Roller Coaster
(Looping Roller Coaster)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 1

RCT2 Icon
 

Mine Ride
(Mine Ride)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

RCT2 Icon
 

Mine Train Coaster
(Mine Train Coaster)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 1

RCT2 Icon
 

Automobile Cars
(Mini Roller Coaster)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

RCT2 Icon
 

Rocket Cars
(Steel Mini Roller Coaster) (RCT1)
(Mini Roller Coaster) (RCT2)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 1

RCT2 Icon
 

Toboggan Cars
(Mini Roller Coaster)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

RCT2 Icon
 

Mini Suspended Coaster
(Mini Suspended Coaster)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 1

RCT2 Icon
 

Mini Suspended Coaster
(Mini Suspended Coaster)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 1

RCT2 Icon
 

Multi-Dimension Roller Coaster
(Multi-Dimension Roller Coaster)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

RCT2 Icon
 

Reverse Freefall Coaster
(Reverse Freefall Coaster)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 1

RCT2 Icon
 

Reverser Roller Coaster
(Reverser Roller Coaster)
Added Attractions

RCT2 Icon
 

Side-Friction Roller Coaster
(Side-Friction Roller Coaster)
Added Attractions

RCT2 Icon
 

Spiral Roller Coaster
(Spiral Roller Coaster)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

RCT2 Icon
 

Stand-up Roller Coaster
(Stand-up Roller Coaster)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 1

RCT2 Icon
 

Twister Roller Coaster
(Twister Roller Coaster)
Added Attractions

RCT2 Icon
 

Stand-up Twister Coaster
(Twister Roller Coaster)
Added Attractions

RCT2 Icon
 

Floorless Roller Coaster
(Twister Roller Coaster)
Added Attractions

RCT2 Icon
 

Hyper-Twister
(Hyper Twister Coaster)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

RCT2 Icon
 

Hyper-Twister (wide cars)
(Hyper Twister Coaster)
Added Attractions

RCT2 Icon
 

Steeplechase
(Steeplechase)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 1

RCT2 Icon
 

Motorbike Races
(Steeplechase)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 1

RCT2 Icon
 

Soap Box Derby Racers
(Steeplechase)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

RCT2 Icon
 

Suspended Swinging Cars
(Suspended Swinging Coaster)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 1

RCT2 Icon
 

Suspended Swinging Airplane Cars
(Suspended Swinging Coaster)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 1

RCT2 Icon
 

Swinging Floorless Cars
(Suspended Swinging Coaster)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

RCT2 Icon
 

Vertical Drop Roller Coaster
(Vertical Drop Roller Coaster)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 1

RCT2 Icon
 

Virginia Reel
(Virginia Reel)
Added Attractions

RCT2 Icon
 

Water Coaster
(Water Coaster)
Loopy Landscapes

RCT2 Icon
 

Mouse Cars
(Wild Mouse)
Added Attractions

RCT2 Icon
 

Mine Cars
(Wild Mouse)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

RCT2 Icon
 

Spinning Wild Mouse
(Wild Mouse)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

RCT2 Icon
 

Wooden Roller Coaster
(Wooden Roller Coaster)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 1

RCT2 Icon
 

Articulated Roller Coaster
(Wooden Roller Coaster)
Added Attractions

RCT2 Icon
 

Wooden Roller Coaster (6 seater)
(Wooden Roller Coaster)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

RCT2 Icon
 

Wooden Roller Coaster (6 seater, Reversed)
(Wooden Roller Coaster)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

RCT2 Icon
 

Wooden Wild Mouse
(Wooden Wild Mouse)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 1

RCT2 Icon
 

Wooden Wild Mine Ride
(Wooden Wild Mouse)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 1

Thrill Rides  

Water Rides  

Shops & Stalls  

RCT2 Icon
 

Burger Bar
(Food Stall)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 1

RCT2 Icon
 

Candyfloss Stall
(Food Stall)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 1

RCT2 Icon
 

Doughnut Shop
(Food Stall)
Loopy Landscapes

RCT2 Icon
 

Cookie Shop
(Food Stall)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

RCT2 Icon
 

Ice Cream Cone Stall
(Food Stall)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

RCT2 Icon
 

Chips Stall
(Food Stall)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

RCT2 Icon
 

Fruity Ices Stall
(Food Stall)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 1

RCT2 Icon
 

Hot Dog Stall
(Food Stall)
Added Attractions

RCT2 Icon
 

Pizza Stall
(Food Stall)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 1

RCT2 Icon
 

Popcorn Stall
(Food Stall)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 1

RCT2 Icon
 

Sea Food Stall
(Food Stall)
Added Attractions

RCT2 Icon
 

Toffee Apple Stall
(Food Stall)
Added Attractions

RCT2 Icon
 

Fried Chicken Stall
(Food Stall)
Loopy Landscapes

RCT2 Icon
 

Pretzel Stall
(Food Stall)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

RCT2 Icon
 

Sub Sandwich Stall
(Food Stall)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

RCT2 Icon
 

Beef Noodles Stall
(Food Stall)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

RCT2 Icon
 

Chicken Nuggets Stall
(Food Stall)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

RCT2 Icon
 

Chip Shop
(Food Stall)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 1

RCT2 Icon
 

Fried Rice Noodles Stall
(Food Stall)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

RCT2 Icon
 

Funnel Cake Shop
(Food Stall)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

RCT2 Icon
 

Meatball Soup Stall
(Food Stall)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

RCT2 Icon
 

Roast Sausage Stall
(Food Stall)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

RCT2 Icon
 

Wonton Soup Stall
(Food Stall)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

RCT2 Icon
 

Drinks Stall
(Drink Stall)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 1

RCT2 Icon
 

Coffee Shop
(Drink Stall)
Loopy Landscapes

RCT2 Icon
 

Hot Chocolate Stall
(Drink Stall)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

RCT2 Icon
 

Lemonade Stall
(Drink Stall)
Loopy Landscapes

RCT2 Icon
 

Iced Tea Stall
(Drink Stall)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

RCT2 Icon
 

Soybean Milk Stall
(Drink Stall)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

RCT2 Icon
 

Star Fruit Drink Stall
(Drink Stall)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

RCT2 Icon
 

Sujeonggwa Stall
(Drink Stall)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

RCT2 Icon
 

Balloon Stall
(Shop)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 1

RCT2 Icon
 

Hat Stall
(Shop)
Added Attractions

RCT2 Icon
 

Souvenir Stall
(Shop)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 1

RCT2 Icon
 

T-Shirt Stall
(Shop)
Loopy Landscapes

RCT2 Icon
 

Sunglasses Stall
(Shop)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

RCT2 Icon
 

Information Kiosk
(Information Kiosk)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 1

RCT2 Icon
 

First Aid Room
(First Aid Room)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

RCT2 Icon
 

Cash Machine
(Cash Machine)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

RCT2 Icon
 

Toilets
(Toilets)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 1

RCT2 Icon
 

Toilets
(Toilets)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

Footpaths  

 
Brown Tarmac Footpath
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2
 
Crazy Paving Footpath
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2
 
Green Tarmac Footpath
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2
 
Space Style Footpath
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2
 
Tarmac Footpath
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

Scenery  

Park Entrance  

 
Park Entrance Building
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2
 
Park Entrance Gates
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2
 
Traditional Park Entrance
RollerCoaster Tycoon 1

Water  

Scenarios

Beginner Parks

Challenging Parks

Expert Parks

"Real" Parks

Other Parks

Expansion Packs

Official

User-created

See Also: The Amazing Earl

Additional content

In addition to the scenarios and rides included in the base game and expansion packs, there were 16 "classic" scenarios from the original RollerCoaster Tycoon, a panda themed scenario called "Panda World" with "Panda Theming", a "Pink Water" add-on created by Chris Sawyer that could be used with the scenario editor, and six winning coaster designs from the Ultimate Tycoon Challenge made available to download from the game's official website and are preserved by the Internet Archive.

Criticism

RollerCoaster Tycoon 2 has received criticism for not being a true 'sequel' to RollerCoaster Tycoon, and being more of an "RCT 1.5". This is due to the game using the same engine as the first one, although being massively upgraded. It made the two games very similar in both graphics and gameplay. For the critics, the only thing that truly changes is the greatly increased amount of rides and attractions, and massive scenery improvement thanks to the new features. Unlike the first game, the "scenario indexes concept" was scrapped, unlocking all the scenarios from the start. Although obviously due because of the new "Scenario Editor" feature, this reduced the feeling for players of actually being rewarded. The largest negative point arises with the lack of backward compatibility from RCT and its expansions in certain rides (e.g. the Steel Mini Roller Coaster of RCT1 is incompatible with its RCT2 lookalike, the Junior Roller Coaster), which made long-time first-game players disappointed with the sequel.

The add-ons had mixed criticisms: Most players and reviewers were satisfied with the first add-on, Wacky Worlds, but many were disappointed with the second add-on Time Twister as it felt incomplete, simply being new objects and scenarios thrown on a CD. The add-on's theming and objects were also too numerous and massive to be imported in new parks, drastically reducing their use on the game and most often reducing their usage to the official scenarios on which they were used. They, therefore, never became vitally needed on the parks, making the addon discs nearly unnecessary. Most custom & downloaded parks actually only require the addons for a couple rides and scenery objects.

Many of the bugs and criticized features RCT2 included were improved or removed by the developers of the game's open-source recreation OpenRCT2.

System requirements

  • Operating System: Windows 98/Windows Me/2000/XP/Vista/7/8/10
  • Processor: Pentium® II 300 MHz or equivalent
  • Memory: 64 MB RAM
  • Hard Disk Space: 100 MB free
  • CD-ROM Drive: 4X or higher
  • Video: 4MB Windows® 98/ME/2000/XP-compatible video card^
  • Sound: Windows® 98/ME/2000/XP-compatible sound card^

^Indicates device should be compatible with DirectX® version 8.1 (included) or higher.

RollerCoaster Tycoon Games
Main games

RollerCoaster Tycoon: Added Attractions/Corkscrew FolliesLoopy Landscapes
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2: Wacky WorldsTime Twister
RollerCoaster Tycoon 3: Soaked!Wild!
RollerCoaster Tycoon World

Console games

RollerCoaster Tycoon 3D
RollerCoaster Tycoon Joyride
RollerCoaster Tycoon Adventures

Mobile games

RollerCoaster Tycoon 4 Mobile
RollerCoaster Tycoon Touch
RollerCoaster Tycoon Puzzle

Compilations RCT DeluxeRCT2 Triple Thrill PackRCT3 Gold!RCT3 Gold EditionRCT3 Platinum!World of RCTRCT 6 PackRCT Mega PackRCT3 Complete Edition
Ports/remakes OpenRCT2RCT Classic
Spin-offs RCT: The Board GameRCT Pinball MachineRCT Idle