Part 1

Your friendly guide to starting RollerCoaster Tycoon! Learn about the first scenarios, available rides, and essential building strategies to create your dream theme park.

Hey there! So, you've decided to dive into the amazing world of RollerCoaster Tycoon? Awesome choice! It's a classic for a reason, and I'm here to help you get your park off the ground. Think of me as your experienced buddy walking you through it, not some stuffy manual.

We're going to kick things off with the basics, focusing on the very first steps and scenarios to get you building and earning. Don't worry about the super complex stuff yet; we'll ease into it.

Getting Started: Your First Park

When you first boot up RollerCoaster Tycoon, you'll have a few scenarios already unlocked. The game's designed so you start with the easier ones and work your way up. The original RollerCoaster Tycoon scenarios are the perfect place to begin. They ease you into the game mechanics and goals without overwhelming you.

The First Scenarios

You'll start with the first 5 scenarios unlocked. To get to the rest, you just need to complete the goals for one of the unlocked ones. Don't bother replaying a scenario multiple times hoping for more unlocks; one completion is all it takes for the next one to appear.

Scenario 1: Forest Frontiers

This is your starting point! Imagine you're in a big, cleared area deep in a forest. Your main goal here is to get at least 250 guests into your park by the end of October in Year 1, and you'll need to maintain a Park Rating of at least 600. It sounds like a lot, but with a good park layout and some popular rides, you'll get there!

What You Can Build Right Away in Forest Frontiers:

• Roller Coasters: Wooden, Steel Mini
• Thrill Rides: Scrambled Eggs, Swinging Ship
• Gentle Rides: Haunted House, Merry Go Round, Car Ride, Spiral Slide, Monorail, Boat Hire
• Shops/Stalls: Ice Cream, Burger Bar, Drink Stall, Bathroom
• Scenery/Theming: Trees, Shrubs and Bushes, Tropical and Desert Trees, Gardens, Path Items, Walls and Fences, Statues and Fountains

What You'll Unlock as You Research:

• Roller Coasters: Steel, Suspended, Single Rail, Wooden Crazy Rodent, Stand Up Steel
• Thrill Rides: Log Flume, Water Slide
• Gentle Rides: Ferris Wheel, Observation Tower, Hedge Maze, Bumper Cars, Chairlift, Miniature Railroad, Space Rings
• Shops/Stalls: Information Kiosk, Fries Stall, Balloon Stall, Cotton Candy Stall, Popcorn Stall, Pizza Stall
• Ride Improvements: Log Cars for Steel Mini, Spinning Cars for Steel Mini, Water Splash for Wooden

You'll start with a $10,000 loan, and you can borrow up to $30,000 if you need it. Don't worry about staff right at the start; you can hire them as your park grows.

General Tips for Starting Out

• Focus on the Goal: Keep an eye on your scenario objectives. For Forest Frontiers, it's all about guest count and park rating.
• Build Popular Rides: Gentle rides and basic roller coasters are usually a hit with early guests. Don't go too crazy with the most expensive, complex rides right away.
• Keep Guests Happy: Make sure there are enough bathrooms and drink/food stalls. Happy guests spend more money and boost your park rating!
• Paths are Key: Make sure guests can easily get around. Connect your rides and stalls with clear paths.
• Don't Overspend Early: That loan is there if you need it, but try to manage your money wisely. Build a few rides, see how much income you're getting, and then expand.

That's the basic rundown for getting started. We'll cover more advanced building and other scenarios soon, but for now, focus on mastering Forest Frontiers. You've got this!