Game Review and Overview
RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 for PC is the ultimate theme park simulator for anyone who’s ever dreamed of designing the world’s most thrilling roller coasters – or just wanted to watch guests flee in terror from a poorly engineered loop-de-loop. Released in 2004, this third installment in the legendary RollerCoaster Tycoon series cranked things up a notch, bringing fully 3D graphics, loads of customization options, and enough chaos to make any budding park manager feel like a kid in a candy store.
Right off the bat, RCT3 gives you the keys to the kingdom; or rather, the theme park. Whether you dive into the structured challenges of Career mode or unleash your imagination in Sandbox mode, the game is all about building, managing, and thriving (or spectacularly failing) in your amusement empire. From designing hair-raising roller coasters to setting up charming carousels, every decision is yours to make. And trust me, your guests will let you know how you’re doing.
The highlight, of course, is the coaster design. RCT3 lets you go wild with loops, twists, drops, and ridiculous spirals that defy the laws of physics. Want to create a gentle family ride? Sure! Prefer to craft a vomit-inducing monstrosity? Go for it! The game even includes a “CoasterCam” that lets you ride your creations in first-person. There’s nothing quite like experiencing the terror of your own engineering missteps up close.
But it’s not all about the rides. Managing your park is just as important, and just as fun. You’ll need to balance ticket prices, staff wages, and maintenance costs while keeping guests happy (or at least not mutinously angry). Guests have whims and needs, from hunger and thirst to a fear of heights, and you’ll need to cater to all of them if you want to succeed. Or, you know, you can build one overpriced restroom and see how long it takes for chaos to ensue. Your call.
Visually, RCT3 was a big leap forward for the series. The transition to 3D brought your parks to life in a whole new way, with dynamic lighting, weather effects, and adorable little guests waddling around. The game also introduced themed areas and water parks with the Soaked! expansion, plus animal attractions with Wild!, making it feel like you’re running a mini-world of entertainment.
That said, RCT3 isn’t perfect. The 3D graphics, while charming, can feel a bit dated today, and the controls for terrain editing and coaster building can occasionally feel fiddly. The guest AI, though improved from earlier entries, still has its quirks – you might find yourself wondering why someone would eat five burgers, get on a roller coaster, and then complain about nausea. But hey, realism isn’t why you’re here.
Overall, RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 is a joyous sandbox of creativity and chaos. It’s the kind of game where hours disappear as you perfect your park layout or test how many G-forces your guests can handle before they pass out. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the series or a newcomer ready to embrace the madness, RCT3 delivers thrills, spills, and a whole lot of fun. So, what are you waiting for? Strap in and let the coaster madness begin!
Cheats and Gameplay Tips
To activate these cheats in RollerCoaster Tycoon 3, rename a peep to the name in bold before each description.
John D Rockefeller
Increase your money
Chris Sawyer
Cheer (Lp) – All guests applaud you & jump into the air
Mouse
All guests stand around looking down at the ground (are they looking for mice between their feet?)
Guido Fawkes
Enables the “Advanced firework editor”. Usage: Scenery -> Firework Mixmaster -> Fireworks Displays -> Add firework display -> Advanced firework editor
Atari
Cheer (Fade) – All guests applaud you
James Hunt
You are given a buggy vehicle to ride in – exit coastercam and delete as scenery when done
D Lean
Open the “Flying Camera” routes editor (also available through Ctrl + Shift + 0 without using cheat)
A Hitchcock
Hitchcock – not sure what this does (could be related to the birds like Alfred’s movie)
PhotoStory
Unknown
ATITech
Every Person (both guests & staff) move super fast, though the game time passes at normal speed (rides & coasters do not speed up) (Expires after 20 seconds)
Make Me Sick
All guests become Sick and vomit immediately
Jonny Watts
PeepCam (see the world through the eyes of the guest who you just renamed)
John Wardley
Coaster Heights (ride & coaster tracks can be built without height limitations)
Frontier
Unbreakable (Buildings/Rides/Coasters do not break down any longer)
Jon Roach
Ride All Rides (make all guests ride every park ride before leaving the park) OR it may just make guests ignore their nausea rating
Sam Denney
Ride All Coasters (make all guests ride every park coaster before leaving the park) OR it may just make guests ignore their nausea rating
Atomic
Big Explosion – never saw a noticable effect on this one (assume it makes certain buildings, rides, or coasters explode OR could have some effect on the Fireworks)