Theme Park (computer game)

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For real-life theme parks, see amusement park

Theme Park
Developer(s)	Bullfrog Productions
Publisher(s)	Electronic Arts
Release date(s)	1994
Genre(s)	Strategy
Mode(s)	Single player
Rating(s)	ESRB, Everyone ELSPA, 3+
Platform(s)	3DO, Amiga, Sega Mega Drive, PlayStation, Sega Saturn, SNES, Atari Jaguar, Apple Macintosh, Sega Mega-CD, MS-DOS, Nintendo DS

Theme Park is a simulation computer game designed by Bullfrog Productions, released in 1994, in which the player designs and operates an amusement park. Like most of Bullfrog's games, Theme Park is permeated by an eccentric sense of humor. Theme Hospital is Bullfrog's thematic successor to the game.

Starting with a free plot of land in the United Kingdom and few hundred thousand dollars, the player must make money by opening rides and selling merchandise and refreshments. Newer products can be bought after researching them. Once enough money has been made the player can move on to newer plots. Plots are located all over the world and have many different factors that affect gameplay, including the economy, terrain and land value.

There are over thirty available in the game. Depending on the platform the game is being played on, it is possible to tour the park or the rides. There are simple rides like the bouncy castle and tree house, and more complicated and expensive rides like the Roller Coaster.

There is a focus in the staff side of the park as well. People employed in the park include the entertainers, security guards, mechanics and cleaners. Lack of staff can cause problems, including messy parks, blown up rides, crime and sad visitors. Occasionally wages must be renegotiated; failure to re-negotiate results in staff strikes.

Some versions of the game (e.g. the Amiga version) were sponsored by Midland Bank Livecash and displayed the Midland Griffin on the title screen and bank statements.

Bullfrog has since released two sequels, the first of which was Theme Park World (sold as Sim Theme Park in the U.S. and some other places; probably as the Theme Park brand was less well-known in such territories) and the second being the more recent Theme Park Inc (also known as SimCoaster). Theme Park also inspired the competing RollerCoaster Tycoon series.

Recently, EA announced that its Japanese branch is porting the game for the Nintendo DS. The game is expected to be released in Spring 2007.