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The following lists software of interest to amusement park & ride fans are for various computer and gaming platforms. Some are no longer available, but are shown as they may turn up in bargain bins, Greatest Hits" complilations, and Internet sites. Be aware too, that updates may be available for some of the programs shown here. They will be listed as they become known. |
Please contact the companies directly.
The CEC does NOT sell any of these products.
THE FOLLOWING MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED
WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM THE AUTHOR ©
WALLPAPER
This site provides wallpaper utilizing images of Coney Island, New
York.
-Coney Island Wallpapaer
THEME PARK
Design and operate a theme Park, then compete with other parks for
business. Allows control of employee hiring, new ride development,
concessions,etc.
Other features include:
Playable on Amiga, DOS, Genesis, Jaguar, PlayStation, Saturn platforms.
Here are the system requirements for DOS:
Price: S47 (U.S. Funds)
Here is a link to obtain the DOS version:
-CDAccess
COASTER SIMULATOR
Coaster Dynamics is educational software that combines learning physics
with designing a virtual roller coaster. A 2001 release, it is a computer
simulation game that employs mathematical calculations to model the behavior
of a real roller coaster. You start with a basic track layout and then
modify it by changing the types and sizes of track elements. These track
elements (vertical loops, corkscrew loops, and hills) are individually
scalable, so every track is unique.
SCREEN SAVER
-Coasting America Screen Saver
COASTER (1980's)
Design and ride your own coaster. An update to this game came out in
2001. (See "Ultimate Ride Deluxe", below.)
Price: $25 (Cdn. Funds)
An aftermarket expander/update for this program was available from
DC-Edit, but no reference is currently avbailable for it.
See also "Kevin Grandt" in the "Independent" section at the end of
this page.
THE WALT DISNEY WORLD EXPLORER (1996)
A fun program that allows you to navigate around a cartoon map of the WDW
resort with Tinkerbell as a cursor. You can click on all the resorts, parks
and golf courses to find descriptions, pictures, behind-the-scenes information
and in some cases - movies. You can also find out information on the history
of the resort and future attractions.
With this program you can spend hours remembering vacations. It could also be helpful for planning a trip. The only down side is the higher system requirements:
Price: $40-$60 (Canadian Funds)
ULTIMATE RIDE (2001)
This simulation contains three coasters which one may ride on board or
off. Rides cannot be modified, but that changed later in 2001. See next.
Requires FLASH.
-Ultimate Ride
ULTIMATE RIDE DELUXE (2001)
This is the update to "Coaster" and Ultimate Ride". It is the original
program with new features and eight more coasters. This deluxe version
allows quick design and building of a roller coaster, and then permits one
to ride it. Over 120 theme items are available to place around the layout.
SIM THEME PARK (1997)
This game allows one to walk around a theme park designed by the player,
and can build all types of rides including rollercoasters. Afterwards, you
may take on-board rides.
Cost is $9.95 (U.S. Funds). An update for $17.95 is called Sim
Theme Park Gold.
SIM COASTER (1999)
An update of the above.
Cost is $29.95 (U.S. Funds).
Web Sites:
-Sim Theme Park
-Feral Interactive Sim Theme Park for Macintosh
-Sim Theme Park Preview
WORLD'S TOP COASTERS (2003 ?)
A game with few details known. It appears to be a simulator game and
incorporates larger coasters like The "Big One" and "Raven".
ROLLER COASTER TYCOON (1999) by Chris Sawyer
An amusement park simulation in which players design, build and manage an
amusement park of their imagination. Although "Tycoon" concentrates greatly
on designing the roller coasters of the park, other rides and concessions are
available to the virtual architect.
Here is a review by Seth Briliant
of Atlantic City, New Jersey:
For those of us who will never own an amusement park, this is clearly the next best thing! With this clever PC simulation, you can design and build a number of different amusement parks, complete with various rides and LOTS of roller coasters, including your own custom-built ones. There have been other coaster sims, like Disney's COASTER, and other park sims like Bullfrog's THEME PARK, but this one combines the best of those two and is far superior to either, in my opinion.
In this game, you set the prices, hire the help, buy the rides, decide on the ride mix and placement, do the landscaping, even pick the color schemes for the rides; and just as in a real amusement park, patrons throw trash on the ground (which must be picked up), and the rides sometimes break down and must be repaired. It's all very well done, including the animations and sound effects (everything from the carousel band organ to the coaster chain clanking and the screams and giggles of the riders).
Someone obviously did their homework when it came to the rides, which include detailed re-creations of fairly new rides like "Mine Trains" and "Log Flumes", as well as many old favorites like the "Scrambler", "Ferris Wheel", a "Dodgem" (bumper cars) and a "Circular Slide" (which was quite popular at Coney Island, New York and Venice, California in the 1920's, but is never seen anymore). More rides become available as you play through the game, so I'm hoping to eventually see a "Caterpillar", a "Whip" and a "Tilt-A-Whirl", my own personal favorites. There's even a miniature Steam Train that you can build to run around the perimeter of your park, or wherever else in the park you might want it to go!
Of course, there are plenty of coasters to choose from, both wooden and steel, including a few "Wild Mouse"s and one that bears a passing resemblance to the long-gone Traver Crystal Beach "Cyclone". If you aren't satisfied with any of those(!), you can design and build your own. MicroProse has also thoughtfully provided a Web page for the game from which you can download new rides, new parks, software patches and upgrades, as well as a FAQ and game tips. The only caveat is the amount of computer horsepower needed for the game.
Contact:
Hasbro Interactive
Beverly, Massachusetts
(978) 921-3759
-Hasbro Web Site
* Dana Henry E-Mail
Roller Cosaster Tycoon has two add-on programs from other developers: "Corkscrew Follies" and "Loopy Landscapes" ($24.95 U.S.) Here are Infogames links to them:
A Gold Edition has been released (2002) which contains three titles. It's not yet known if any are previous releases, but supposedly, new coaster design features are included.
Roller Coaster Tycoon 3 is out:
-RollerCoaster Tycoon
Here are some additional sites:
-Roller Coaster Tycoon
-Design Tips for "Roller Coaster Tycoon"
-RCT FAQ
-RCT Station Forums
-Chris Sawyer Interview
2 Framlands Close
Wantage, Oxfordshire
England OX12 9DZ
01 (23) 576-2186
Joyland has a variety of photo albums on CD-ROM. They cover fairs
and amusement parks & rides and artwork on those subjects. They also
offer books and videos.
-Joyland Books
LEGOLand Masterpiece
This game follows the exploits of Professor Voltage and his time
machine.
Price: $9.99 (U.S. Funds)
ROCKET: ROBOT ON WHEELS
This Nintendo 64 video game allows one to run an amusement park as well as
design and ride a roller coaster. The game has a gun-wielding robot that
rides the coaster you have designed and shoots at things. (No further
information.)
SIX FLAGS: FUN PARK
Released in 2008, this is a game for the Nintendo DS
(No further information.)
"COASTERS IN MOVIES"
This is a multimedia database program. It contains information about
all "known" movies which contain scenes shots of roller coasters (as of
Jan 1, 2000).
The database contains movie name, year released, running time, if it is on video tape or not, the parks shown, the coasters shown and a brief description of the coaster action. This program also has the ability to mark the movies a person has in their collection. It can then produce a printout of all movies divided into those a person has in their collection and those they don't have in their collections.
MULTIMEDIA ROLLER COASTERS '97
This is a database of information for North America on all known
currently operating major roller coasters and parks that have coasters.
Contains hyperlinks to the coasters and their parks, plus maps, designers,
coaster types, and other miscellaneous information. Very extensive. Has
computer photos of over 100 different coasters.
ROLLER COASTER "SCREAM" SAVERS
These have been developed from a professional screen saver engine.
Standard Edition: Includes 22 Pictures $14.95 (U.S. Funds)
(This contains the screen saver
engine which you must have.)
Additional 22-Picture Collections:
Standard Edition with one 22-Picture Collection: $14.95
Standard Edition with all four 22-picture collections $39.95.
(All U.S. Funds)
Ordering:
Send appropriate amount in U.S. funds
plus $2.00 shipping & handling to:
Out & Back Productions
Bill Figie
3055 Skyline Drive
Cocoa, Florida 32922
U.S.A.
Virtual Reality Universe
Their 3D Browser software allows one to explore the on-line worlds provided by this company, one of which is "Coaster World". Here are the program versions they have available:
3D OuterWorlds Browser (Version 2.2)
System Requirements:
3D OuterWorlds Browser (Version 3.1) With Hardware Acceleration
System Requirements:
Roller Coaster Database
This company has a data base for roller coasters set up for the Palm
Pilot.
-Palm Gear Main Page
-Palm Pilot Coaster Database
3D Roller Coaster Designer
An updated version of Valuesoft's "Roller Coaster Factory" with better
scenery, an inverted coaster, and the ability to change track colours.
Pantera
ULTRA COASTER (2000)
This new game allows one to design and ride a roller coaster. It sells
for about $20 U.S. Download it from:
Reactor Software.
3D ROLLER COASTER SIMULATOR
This program offers 4 different track layouts ranging from junior coaster
to today's super coaster.
COMPUTER PINBALL
3-D ULTRA PINBALL THRILLPARK (Also known as "Thrillride")
Thrillride offers 15 different amusement park rides, three levels of play,
post and compare high scores over the internet, multi-player, nighttime
fantasy, multi-ball madness, and more. As the game progresses, the main board
changes to reflect Canyon River Rapids, various roller coasters, night time
images and even the build your own coaster section where you build a wooden
coaster as the ball is flipped around the "special" section and if you make
it all the way through, you actually get a break and watch what you've
created. (It even comes with loops on a woodie!).
Price: $29.95 (U.S. Funds)
ROLLER COASTER SCREEN SAVER
This 3-D screen saver of a roller coaster ride gives a front seat
view as it zips up & down hills, through loops and around turns.
COASTER WORKS
This game has similarities to both Roller Coaster Factory and Ultra
Coaster, both of which are listed elsewhere on this page.
Alex Small says:
I played this game and actually thought it was very addicting! There
are about 6 levels where you need to pass the right speed and g's and
thrill. You can do turns & stuff, and any kind of drop (though not past 90
degrees), but when you get to "DreamLand", the last level, you can do
WHATEVER you want. You may make a drop over 90 degrees, overbanked turns
and all kinds of inversions. I think it's tons of fun ... go and check it
out for yourselves!
JETCOASTER DREAM
The game allows you to build an amusement park roller coaster from the
ground up. The designer (gamer) will control every aspect of the roller
coaster track. For example, a loop, drop, curve, etc. can be placed anywhere
on the track. Seem easy? Wrong. You'll have to take many factors into
consideration. Like Maximum G-Force, safety, speed, thrill, and overall fun.
Even the climatic conditions will play a factor.
Fortunately you can test-drive the track before you submit it for approval. During the test drive, you can gauge different aspects of the track so you can make improvements.
The game will feature six different modes, all geared at designing, testing and riding roller coasters. You'll even have a chance to save your roller coaster track on your VMS for that added portability.
(Suggestion and write-up courtesy of Ross Esposito)
Requires: Sega System
CIRCUIT BREAKERS
A furiously-paced, highly challenging and competitive game, you choose
one of eight varied and lush worlds in which to race, roller coaster-style,
through unbelievable 3-D mayhem. Up to four players can vie head-to-head on
one of 30 dangerous, intricate race tracks, complete with banks, dips, and
drops. This game very deftly combines racing with the fantasy of being at
a futuristic amusement park, and it pulls out all the stops. While not at
all violent or scary, the design manages to provide truly visceral thrills
by simulating the dizzying motion so realistically. It's a perfect match
for the dual shock controller (not included).
CRISES CITY
A game in which you are a rescue helicopter pilot flying around a city
helping people. It has an amusement park with flat rides and a roller
coaster themed like Japan's former "Moonsault Scramble".
JUMPING FLASH 3
This is a theme park simulator game similar to "Themepark" by Bullfrog.
THEME PARK ROLLER COASTER
Allows one to build and ride a roller coaster in a theme park. There are
four environments available: Halloween, Land of Wonder, Lost Kingdom, and
Space Zone. User may also go on other rides and play the park's games.
Price: $34.95 (U.S. Funds)
The above require a Sony Playstation.
SCOOBY DOO
"Mystery of The Fun Park Phantom"
This is a combination board and adventure game which involves solving
a mystery set in an amusement park.
Roller Coaster Factory
Design your own wood or steel coaster.
Scream Machines
This software lets one create and ride roller coasters. Styles included
are Inverted, mine trains, steel, stand-ups, shuttles, and woodies, all
with elements such as banked curves, cobra rolls, corckscrews, immelmans,
inclined loops, tunnels, and vertical loops. Racers, Duelers, and more than
one coaster style at once may be created. Also possible are LIM
launchers and brake runs, including trim brakes.
A land editor is included with trees, water, and choice & placement of
track supports. 3D props may be imported. A "manoeuvers" editor allows
track to be saved for later use.
Wounded Heart Interactive
See also:
-Scream Machines
DUANE CAHILL
PALM DATABASE
Duane offers a database for American amusement parks. It currently
includes a total of 266.
The database is available at:
-Memoware: "Travel"
"MobileDB" is available from:
-Handmark
Duane may be contacted at: *dbcahill@yahoo.com
KEVIN GRANDT
Coaster
An update to Disney's "Coaster" with more design freedom.
-"Coaster" Game
NO LIMITS ROLLER COASTER SIMULATION
A game that lets you ride in a coaster where you can pick your seat.
-No Limits Coaster
-No Limits Roller Coaster Simulation
PAUL ASENTE
Filemaker Pro 5
A database program for keeping track of roller coaster rides.
-Filemaker Pro Coaster Tracking Database
Requires:
ROLLER COASTER LOOPIE LAND
No details.
Requires:
ROLLER COASTER ON THE SPECTRUM
Go on amusement park rides like The "Flume" and "Whip".
ROLLER COASTER RUMBLER
This game allows one to ride a coaster and shoot at objects along the way.
THEME PARK WORLD
Supposedly the same as Sim Theme Park, as listed elsewhere on this page.
3D COASTER DESIGNER
A program that allows you to design and ride roller coasters. A layout is
built up from track sections that may have the pitch, banking, and heading
altered to have it dip, twist, turn, spiral, loop, corkscrew, etc.
-3D Coaster Designer
TOASTED
This program gives you front-seat ride on a roller coaster while other
trains navigate the same course.
