The game that started it all:

ROLLERCOASTER TYCOON

Created by Chris Sawyer, the RollerCoaster Tycoon franchise is known for thoughtful game design that truly lets the player explore every aspect of building and running their very own theme park. The choices are nearly limitless! Players can choose from a wide range of coaster types with giant loops and barrel rolls or try their hand at constructing historical rides like the Side Friction RollerCoaster and the Virginia Reel! There are even added attractions that can be built like miniature golf courses, suspended monorails and even a water soaked log plume ride! -

Since its launch, RollerCoaster Tycoon has endeared itself to millions of PC owners worldwide. Now thrill ride fans can own a virtual treasure trove of fun and creative experiences offered in RollerCoaster Tycoon and its subsequent expansion packs, Corkscrew Follies and Loopy Landscapes.

Manufacturer Description
Design and build the biggest, best, and scariest rides ever seen in any theme park. Create over 50 designs from the traditional wooden roller coaster to the high-tech Steel Corkscrew and the terrifying Reverse Freefall--all featuring accurately simulated motion dynamics. Fund the research and you will get the greatest rides current technology is capable of. Then charge the top prices to your visitors. RollerCoaster Tycoon gives you the ups, but also the downs: Why should people come to your park? Are the rides too expensive? Have you built enough food stalls? Do your amazing rides have a habit of breaking down too often? Climb or fall, boom or bust, you are in charge of it all: making sure the rides are safe, finding out what your guests are thinking, and giving them what they want--for the right price.

Product Description
Experience the challenges and pulse-pounding excitement of creating and running the ultimate amusement park. Start with an undeveloped tract of land, a modest bank account and your wildest dreams. Accurate motion dynamics/physics produce thrilling rides - or the ultimate disaster Excitement/Nausea ratings let you design attractions for guests of all stomach strengths Track your financial performance For Windows 95/98+

amazon.com Review
Want to build an empire without all the usual bloodshed? Try RollerCoaster Tycoon, which puts you in total control of a theme park, managing every detail from ride development to rescuing lost guests.

A simulator in the style of SimCity, this game has a simple enough concept: build a park attractive enough to draw in hoards of tourists and then separate them from their hard-earned money. This is accomplished by researching and building rides, along with amenities, gardens and decorations. Once you have your infrastructure, and the staff to maintain it, it's time to sit back and watch the funds roll in...all in hopes of building an even bigger rollercoaster somewhere else! The big draws in a theme park, the coasters are expensive and flashy. They lure in thrill-seeking guests prepared to pay top dollar for a wild ride. RollerCoaster Tycoon even allows you to design the coasters yourself, a finicky but ultimately rewarding operation.

Despite a clunky interface and the usual simulator drawbacks--such as long waits while you acquire funds for the next ride--RollerCoaster Tycoon is an utter gem of a game. Its soundtrack, a mix of calliope music and ride machinery, is mixed with the sound of guests squealing with delight and terror as the coasters hurl them around. The sound mix is joyfully evocative, and you can almost smell the cotton candy and the popcorn. Best of all, you can play in this theme park for hours without once losing your children or friends, getting sore feet or experiencing motion sickness.
--Alyx Dellamonica

RCT PARKS TO DOWNLOAD
by OCSE

Mockingbird Mall Screampark

ULTRAvENTURE

Urban Jungle West

Wicked Forest

several more RCT 1 & 2 parks are available to download at
OCsE RCT - Theme Parks & Amusements

Name Changing Fun!

Micheal Schumacher: That person will also drive very fast on go-karts.

Damon Hill: That person will drive very fast on go-karts.

Simon Foster. That person does paintings.

Melanie Warn: That person will be very happy.

Chris Sawyer: That person walks around taking photos.

Tony Day: That person is very and always hungry.

John Wardley: That person will think WOW when seeing a ride.

John Mace: That person will pay double for rides they go on.

Katie Brayshaw: That person will wave to everyone.

Links:

TycoonPlanet has RCT parks, cheats, and technical information.

REVIEWS & Screenshots - Strategy Gaming Online

wikipedia listing

RCT1 Tips & Cheats Forum at RCT3 & Co.