• Publisher: THQ
  • Release Date: Oct 11, 2005
  • Also On: PC
User Score
6.5

Mixed or average reviews- based on 28 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 28
  2. Negative: 7 out of 28
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  1. RachelT.
    Apr 16, 2006
    4
    The animal animations are quite realistic and sweet, but that's about it. It seemed like a rushed game, as there were many things to fix and improve that microsoft should have picked up on if they would have spent more time on the game. The controls are tedious and often unresponsive, and I would not recommend it to anyone with under average patience as it has no end, and is The animal animations are quite realistic and sweet, but that's about it. It seemed like a rushed game, as there were many things to fix and improve that microsoft should have picked up on if they would have spent more time on the game. The controls are tedious and often unresponsive, and I would not recommend it to anyone with under average patience as it has no end, and is repetitive and boring. Saying that, it was fun for the first few days of owning it due to the players role as a zookeeper and giving the player responsibilities that would apply to real life. Sorry if you liked the game, but this is purely my opinion of it. (After swapping it twice after discovering faults in the game, I traded it for Mario Kart DS, which is a much better buy.) Expand
  2. Oct 9, 2013
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click expand 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.
    Expand

Awards & Rankings

58
29
#29 Most Discussed DS Game of 2005
27
#27 Most Shared DS Game of 2005
Metascore
44

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 19
  2. Negative: 11 out of 19
  1. Nintendo Power
    75
    Faithfully reproduces the ZT experience, from building exhibits and guest facilities to managing cash flow. [Nov 2005, p.112]
  2. 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.
  3. 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.