Game Review and Overview
RollerCoaster Tycoon 3D for the Nintendo 3DS tries to capture the magic of the classic RollerCoaster Tycoon series in handheld form but ends up more like a gentle log flume than a thrilling corkscrew ride. Released in 2012 and developed by n-Space, this portable version attempts to cram theme park management, ride-building, and guest-pleasing chaos into a smaller screen. Unfortunately, while the idea is promising, the execution leaves a lot to be desired.
At its core, RollerCoaster Tycoon 3D sticks to the series’ beloved formula. You’re in charge of building and managing your very own amusement park. That means laying down paths, constructing rides, hiring staff, setting prices, and making sure your visitors are thrilled, fed, and not vomiting all over your carefully placed flowerbeds. It should feel familiar to anyone who played the PC originals.
The game includes a campaign mode, challenge scenarios, and a sandbox mode where you can let your creativity run wild. Unfortunately, many of the features that made the earlier games so addictive are watered down or missing entirely. Ride customization is extremely limited. Terrain editing is nonexistent. Peeps (aka your park guests) wander aimlessly with little personality. The interface, split between the touchscreen and buttons, feels clunky rather than intuitive.
Visually, the game struggles. The 3D effect adds depth, but it does little to enhance the overall presentation. The graphics are blocky, the animations stiff, and the park lacks the lively charm that made the series famous. Watching your roller coasters in action should be a highlight, but here, it’s more like watching Lego figures trudge through a slideshow.
One of the biggest disappointments is the roller coaster building. What was once a joyful, creative process is now a clunky, restrictive chore. Building coasters segment by segment on a small screen with finicky controls quickly becomes more frustrating than fun. The lack of banking and steep inclines makes it difficult to create anything resembling an actual thrill ride.
That said, there are still moments of fun to be found. Watching your park slowly fill with rides and guests can scratch that managerial itch, especially in short play sessions. The game’s portability is a plus, and younger or newer players might not mind the simplified mechanics.
In the end, RollerCoaster Tycoon 3D feels like a missed opportunity. It tries to bring a rich, deep series to a new platform but leaves too much behind on the ride. Hardcore fans of the franchise will likely be disappointed, while newcomers may find it serviceable but forgettable. If you’re craving the full Tycoon experience, you’re better off sticking with the PC originals… or, hoping for a better handheld version down the line.
RollerCoaster Tycoon 3DS Cheats
Cheat Codes:
Enter the “Options” menu and select “Park Decoder”, then activate the following cheats by entering the corresponding codes:
CHEAT FUNCTION – CHEAT CODE
Asteroid Splash – Splotch,?Splotch,?Splotch,?Crown
Atari Dragon – Crown,?Drink,?Crown,?Drink
Atari Ride Theme – Wrench,?Drink,?Wrench,?Drink
Bamboo Fence – Ferris Wheel,?Wrench,?Wrench,?Wrench
Black Beard – Roller Coaster,?Roller Coaster,?Splotch,?Splotch
Boneyard – Splotch,?Ferris Wheel,?Mechanic,?Mechanic
Cemetary Fence – Crown,?Crown,?Mechanic,?Mechanic
Chute Drop – Wrench,?Mechanic,?Crown,?Crown
Coffin Bench – Mechanic,?Splotch,?Wrench,?Wrench
Combat Arena – Splotch,?Tree,?Wrench,?Wrench
Combat Mech – Mechanic,?Mechanic,?Mechanic,?Wrench
Dead Elm – Drink,?Drink,?Ferris Wheel,?Tree
Flying Carpet – Wrench,?Splotch,?Tree,?Tree
Fourth Dimension – Crown,?Drink,?Ferris Wheel,?Ferris Wheel
Ginger Breads – Ferris Whee,L Ferris Wheel,?Tree,?Ferris Wheel
Griffin Bounce – Crown,?Crown,?Mechanic,?Drink
Hi Tech Sign – Mechanic,?Tree,?Mechanic,?Tree
Liquid Magic – Mechanic,?Mechanic,?Tree,?Mechanic
Mangrove – Splotch,?Tree,?Tree,?Splotch
Meteors – Ferris Wheel,?Drink,?Tree,?Tree
Moai Head – Crown,?Crown,?Mechanic,Crown
Outlaw Cactus – Splotch,?Ferris Wheel,?Splotch,?Ferris Wheel
Picket Fence – Splotch,?Drink,?Splotch,?Splotch
Pumpkin Slime – Drink,?Splotch,?Drink,?Splotch
Red Baron Refresh – Drink,?Mechanic,?Crown,?Wrench
Reverse – Ferris Wheel,?Wrench,?Wrench,?Ferris Wheel
Robot Revolve – Ferris Wheel,?Splotch,?Crown,?Crown
Robot Trash Can – Crown,?Crown,?Splotch,?Splotch
Rocket Repair – Drink,?Ferris Wheel,?Splotch,?Splotch
Standup Twister – Ferris Wheel,?Ferris Wheel,?Splotch,?Splotch
String Theory – Mechanic,?Mechanic,?Splotch,?Splotch
Sundae Surprise – Drink,?Splotch,?Wrench,?Wrench
Sunflower – Drink,?Splotch,?Crown,?Crown
Suspended Swinging – Ferris Wheel,?Ferris Wheel,?Ferris Wheel,?Tree
Tea Cups – Roller Coaster,?Tree,?Roller Coaster,?Tree
Techno Falls – Wrench,?Roller Coaster,?Mechanic,?Splotch
Tropical Blends – Crown,?Ferris Wheel,?Crown,?Crown
Wing Seater – Splotch,?Wrench,?Crown,?Crown
Zipper – Drink,?Ferris Wheel,?Ferris Wheel,?Ferris Wheel