Perhaps one of the most unexpected gems in the first generation of Playstation 2 games comes in the form of a simulation game. In Theme Park Roller Coaster players are able to create and operate amusement parks to the best of their creative and manageable ability. After designing over the top roller coasters, players are able to walk into the park and take their creations for test rides. Doing this enables you to determine if more loops, steeper drops or faster turns are needed. In addition to building and maintaining theme parks, players can also take out time to play a number of enjoyable mini games located throughout their parks. TPRC for the PS2 combines the best of the Playstation and PC versions of SimTheme Park and adds new visuals, new music and a considerably user friendly interface.

As with any great sim game, gameplay and control are vital to the overall experience. In TPRC this is not an issue. Menus are easily navigable as are the various options and building tools. An overly friendly tutor guides you through your ventures and offers snippets of advice. As you progress through the game and start expanding into more than one theme park, the tutor can be a little bothersome. Nevertheless, the pace of the game is quite brisk. There is not much time to sit around in your virtual office in the grand scheme of things. Any good management knows there is no rest for the wicked and you will have to be wicked to run a tight organization if you hope to survive consecutive seasons in the theme park business. Building rides is a learning experience in itself. For example, if your roller coaster does not have the right angle on loops it will lose its speed and overall excitement for the customer. The end result will be bored customers and lowered profit. Try managing a happy staff that you will need in order to keep the parks safe, clean and operable.

Graphically TPRC is a great improvement over previous versions. This holds especially true when you go into the park to ride the rides via the first person camera mode. Wander around your great park and gander at the sights and sounds you have created. Then hit your rollercoaster or log flume ride for an experience that actually imparts the feeling of hitting a loop. This is really fun when you learn how to create some really whacked out roller coasters. The parks themselves are sharp and bright while at the same time bustling with the noise that usually accompanies the joys of attending a theme park.

Theme Park Roller Coaster scores big in the value department. There is more than enough to keep you busy for days in order to create the ultimate theme parks. Eight challenging environments are spread across four different themes including: Lost World, Halloween World, Space Zone and Wonder Land. For those new to sim games, TPRC is definitely worth a look while for seasoned sim fans it is a must buy. A solid entry into the Playstation 2 library.