Zoo Tycoon DS

 DS
  • Publisher: THQ
  • Release Date: Oct 11, 2005
  • Also On: PC
Metascore
44

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 19
  3. Negative: 11 out of 19
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  1. Nintendo Power
    75
    Faithfully reproduces the ZT experience, from building exhibits and guest facilities to managing cash flow. [Nov 2005, p.112]
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  2. Worth Playing
    60
    There is some redeeming value and fun to be found in this cartridge, but it could've been so much better had they really taken the time to get the interface right and improve the graphics a whole lot. As it stands now it's a slightly below average PC strategy game that's been hacked up and stuck on the Nintendo DS.
  3. Game Informer
    60
    About as much fun as giving an elephant a suppository. [Jan 2006, p.157]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. GameSpot
    54
    Zoo Tycoon DS captures the basic idea of what a Zoo Tycoon game is all about, but in the end it feels more like a cheaply made imitation than an engaging strategy game.
  6. GameZone
    53
    The forced or rushed feeling of this title just weighs too heavy on me. And with the lacking graphics and clunky gameplay, this title just fails on all levels.
  7. Next Level Gaming
    50
    Now that this review is done I’m going to try my best to forget that I ever played this game or even worse, had to spend enough time on it to write a review about it.
  8. Game Over Online
    50
    This could've been a fun game, but the poor touch screen implementation, annoying menus, and tedious gameplay do a pretty good job of shooting it in the foot. Give it a miss.
  9. BonusStage
    50
    So unless you enjoy waiting on an almost silent, graphics diffuse gaming experience, or are the largest Zoo Tycoon fan in existence, stay far away from this title.
  10. Gamezilla!
    45
    And I don’t have to tell you all that when a game looks as bad as this one, it really makes it a stretch to keep playing.
  11. Gaming Target
    45
    There is certainly enough content here, but the poor controls and graphics don't give players any incentive to check it out.
  12. Game Chronicles
    42
    Zoo Tycoon DS is neither a very enjoyable, nor a very intellectual game. Aw heck, it is not even a game – it is a chore. And I do not like chores. If I were going to take care of an animal on my DS, I would rather have it be my Nintendogs. At least they are cute, and play a mean game of Frisbee.
  13. IGN
    40
    There's very little to redeem a generally poor effort to create a tycoon game for the DS that has any personality or creates any real fun for the player.
  14. DarkStation
    40
    Running a zoo on the DS handheld is arguably impossible, no thanks to the unbelievably frustrating controls and horrible visuals.
  15. G4 TV
    40
    The tiny, blocky graphics do little to immerse you into the park, and the unwieldy controls make relatively simple actions needlessly difficult.
  16. AceGamez
    40
    This is mocking everything that has made the PC version so famous. Unless you enjoy waiting on an almost silent, graphics diffuse gaming experience, or are the largest Zoo Tycoon fan in existence, stay far away from this title.
    All this publication's reviews
  17. NintendoWorldReport
    35
    This game is bad. It's not painfully bad, but it will bore you into hatred.
  18. Eurogamer
    30
    But it’s not fun, and it’s certainly not worth the effort. The DS, as hopefully this constructive and helpful review will have shown, is the perfect medium for recreating management sims. Just not this time.
  19. Computer Games Magazine
    20
    Quotation forthcoming. [Jan 2005]
    All this publication's reviews
  20. Gaming Age
    16
    I'm so bored, I started watching people on the security cameras...and this happened today.

Awards & Rankings

58
#58 Best DS Game of 2005
29
#29 Most Discussed DS Game of 2005
27
#27 Most Shared DS Game of 2005

User Reviews

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User Score
6.5

Mixed or average reviews- based on 28 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 28
  3. Negative: 7 out of 28
  1. Yojimbo2015
    Jun 3, 2023
    5
    Basically Theme Park with animals, this is a resource management strategy game where you construct a zoo from a menu of available ingredients.Basically Theme Park with animals, this is a resource management strategy game where you construct a zoo from a menu of available ingredients. Competently enough done if you like that sort of thing but it all looks very "16 BIT".… Full Review »
  2. fsdu
    Oct 9, 2013
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. The controls of this game are infuriating. I guess it's a successful port but the fact that it takes so much tapping to do anything really sucks the fun away.

    Be prepared, this is one of the games that will destroy your bottom screen if played a lot.    … Full Review »
  3. KaitlynM.
    Oct 13, 2007
    7
    Welll, its ok, but its so freakin whaked! my Giraffes started acting like Elaphants, being happy with an elephant shelter, not a giraffe Welll, its ok, but its so freakin whaked! my Giraffes started acting like Elaphants, being happy with an elephant shelter, not a giraffe shelter, and its just bad! Its fun to a point but then all your animals are not happy or dont like their exibits, FOR ABSOLUTELY NO REASON! i cant figure out how to name the guests either, but apparently everyone else can! And please, can someone tell me how? PS Sorry if I made Zoo Tycoon sound horrible, its actually pretty fun, but it just frustrates me :D.… Full Review »
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