Parents' Guide to

Zoo Tycoon 2 DS

By Erin Bell, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 9+

Portable zoo simulation offers impressive depth.

Game Nintendo DS 2008
Zoo Tycoon 2 DS Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this game.

Community Reviews

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age 11+

Based on 1 parent review

mygrlzandboy
mygrlzandboy Parent of 2, 6 and 9-year-old
January 2, 2010
age 11+

Not good for younger kids - difficult and boring

After reading the very minimal info on the back of the box my 9 year old decided she wanted this game. We purchased the game and ended up being very disappointed. We read the instruction manual and it didn't explain much. So much info on the business management and personally I thought it was difficult for children under 10 to figure it out. Also seemed pretty boring to me. Would be better suited for older children.

This title has:

Educational value
See all 1 parent review

What’s It About?

Get ready to learn everything you ever wanted to know about running a zoo in ZOO TYCOON 2 DS, a detailed educational simulation that transplants the concepts found in its PC cousin, Zoo Tycoon 2, into a portable package – right down to the impressive graphical close-ups of the animals.

Players can start from scratch and let their imaginations run wild in Freeform mode, or work their way through Campaign mode's increasingly challenging timed scenarios. In both cases you'll have to juggle many responsibilities to keep your zoo running smoothly, whether it's building paths, enclosures, restaurants, restrooms, benches, and other amenities; managing cash flow, investing in research, hiring staff, adjusting prices, and launching marketing campaigns; or getting up close and personal with the animals by feeding and washing them, treating their illnesses, and other one-on-one interactions.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1):
Kids say (5):

Some of the challenges players will face in Zoo Tycoon 2 DS might include designing exhibits for three different horned animals, ensuring that the lions achieve a happiness rating of at least 70%, or creating conditions for an endangered species to mate and give birth. There are 36 animals in the game, from zoo staples like lions, ostriches, and zebras to endangered species and even some prehistoric and "fantasy" animals that are unlocked later on as special rewards. Each species requires different care based on the "biome" they belong to –- such as savannah, boreal forest, tundra, or aquatic, and you must construct an appropriate habitat for them by laying the right ground, foliage, rocks, toys, and shelter.

It might take players a while to get the hang of the controls and the detailed menus while struggling against the imposed time limits, but once the learning curve has been overcome Zoo Tycoon 2 DS proves itself to be an enjoyable and educational game with impressive depth.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the roles that zoos play in animal conservation. What are your favorite animals to visit when you go to the zoo? If you could add one animal to your zoo that isn't featured in the game, what would it be?

Game Details

  • Platform: Nintendo DS
  • Available online?: Available online
  • Publisher: THQ
  • Release date: February 4, 2008
  • Genre: Simulation
  • ESRB rating: E
  • Last updated: November 4, 2015

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