Thrillville

 PlayStation 2
Metascore
69

Mixed or average reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 32
  3. Negative: 3 out of 32
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  1. Game Informer
    78
    Probably doesn't have the depth to give it the long legs of other titles in the genre. [Dec 2006, p.130]
  2. IGN
    75
    Greatness is within Thrillville's grasp, but it doesn't push it all the way through.
  3. GameSpot
    76
    Thanks to its rock-solid execution, Thrillville delivers an enjoyable batch of minigames in a lighthearted theme park environment.
  5. GamingTrend
    87
    If you're looking for a fun game that you can play with the kids, or as a group, this is a solid purchase and does its job quite well.
  6. GameZone
    79
    While a few management issues aren’t handled as well as it could have been, the variety of mini-games and the ability to interact with park visitors makes this a rare treat for sim fans of all ages.
  7. Cheat Code Central
    80
    The dialog is well acted and quite humorous. The music is perfect for this game and maintains a consistently light and upbeat mood. It’s hard to be in a bad mood when you’re in Thrillville.
  8. Official Playstation 2 Magazine UK
    80
    A great game that's packed with smart ideas and presented in such an appealing way that you can't help but fall under its spell. [Christmas 2006, p.84]
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  9. Play UK
    82
    Okay, so Thrillville's brilliance is broken - but it's still brilliance nonetheless. [Issue # 147, p.72]
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  10. Game Revolution
    75
    It may not be the most open ended theme park on the planet, but it’s full of different ways to have fun, and that’s what matters most. Buy the ticket, and take the ride.
  11. TotalPlayStation
    85
    It also represents one of the first games I've played in a long time that's truly something for both kid and adult, and I'll be giving a copy to my nephew this Christmas in the hopes that it'll help bridge the gap between the business side of his father's day-to-day operations and the passion that my nephew has for games.
  12. The A.V. Club
    75
    Talking with the guests is surprisingly engrossing. The dialogue options include an arsenal of cheap compliments and weird factoids, and the responses are often surprising.
  13. Game Chronicles
    76
    To sum it up, Thrillville is all about the mini-games. Virtually every aspect of park maintenance can be accomplished through beating a mini-game, and it’s probably the mini-games you’ll keep playing after you’ve finished building up all five theme parks.
  14. GamerNode
    78
    The gameplay, which is somewhat simplistic and slow, may prove to be a negative for those who want more action from their games. If you're into theme parks and would like to find out how it feels to not only run one but to be an active participant in the creations you make, Thrillville may just be the game for you.

Awards & Rankings

82
#82 Best PS2 Game of 2006

User Reviews

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User Score
3.3

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 56 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 56
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 56
  3. Negative: 36 out of 56
  1. SwitSwat
    Sep 13, 2012
    9
    Thrillville lets you build the park of your dreams. At least, that's what they say. Obviously, you can't recreate an exact replica of SpaceThrillville lets you build the park of your dreams. At least, that's what they say. Obviously, you can't recreate an exact replica of Space Mountain, but it does enough to be fun, and compelling. Using basic rollercoaster physics, the game let's you plan, build, and manage a successful amusement park. You can talk with guests, play various mini-games and even ride your own rides! Although, the humor is a bit cheesy, it still delivers a great gaming experience. 9 out of 10 from me.… Full Review »
  2. TheHumbleGamer
    May 4, 2017
    8
    I have seen many people confuse Thrillville and Rollercoaster Tycoon over the years, and the first thing that must be made apparent in thisI have seen many people confuse Thrillville and Rollercoaster Tycoon over the years, and the first thing that must be made apparent in this review is that they are most certainly not the same.

    While Rollercoaster Tycoon focuses specifically on a more complex building aspect of making a theme park, Thrillville offers a much more casual experience that pre-sets many things for you but still gives you more than enough freedom to experiment and play around with the tools the game provides. Think of it as a gateway game to Rollercoaster tycoon for children and those with little experience in the genre.

    Thrillville presents you with a simple task - maintain existing themed rollercoaster parks and draw in the crowds to make lots of money. To achieve this task, you must build stalls, rides and rollercoasters to wow the guests and build up more money to buy bigger and better stuff down the line. You can walk around your parks to talk with guests and make friendships with them, which increases overall happiness of guests. You can also hire entertainers (to raise happiness), mechanics (to keep rides from breaking) and cleaners (to clear up rubbish and sick from guests).

    Many of the games you place down in your parks are actual playable games that can become addictive if you're not careful. As for rollercoasters, there are various types but the game always limits how much you can do with them. Though as a child, I never found that to be too much of a problem because there was still enough space to get almost any vision you had for a coaster built.

    Thrillville also offers a plethora of missions for you to complete, with various categories spanning your guests to your games, you'll find beating these missions very rewarding and satisfying.

    Overall I find Thrillville to be a rather unique game with a lot more to offer than meets the eye (if you're willing to give it a chance that is). I had a lot of fun with this game as a kid and even today I still find it enjoyable to play. This game really isn't as bad as some make it out to be.    … Full Review »
  3. TJ_of_Carolina
    Mar 20, 2019
    7
    It's good for what it is, a PS2 Era business/management sim. My Dad found it going for only 2 bucks and I've gotten that money's worth andIt's good for what it is, a PS2 Era business/management sim. My Dad found it going for only 2 bucks and I've gotten that money's worth and more from it. It has a bunch of options for what to do with not too much depth, but enough to be interesting. Some of the optional minigames such as golf, racing, and trampolines are fun. You can market your park to attract certain demographics, which is as simple as pressing X twice on a specific magazine, you can talk to park goers and even flirt and matchmake, you can design custom tracks, hire and train cheerleaders, groundskeepers and mechanics, etc.

    One complaint is that the areas you can put carnival rides and stalls and whatnot get crowded pretty fast and you'll soon not know where to put what    … Full Review »
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