Theme Park on the DS delivers everything from the classic game and makes it portable, and that alone makes it sell.
Everyone who had a PC, a SNES, Mega drive, Saturn or Playstation will know how this game works. Even the title gives the general feeling of how the game works. You own land, and must build a theme park, a bus full of rich young children arrive every 5 minutes to go on the rides and spend their money in your park.
It may sound easy, but its harder then you think. The beginning process of building, hiring staff and maintaining your park is challenging to maintain. Everything from stuck guests, a bouncy castle blowing up, labour negotiations that end in strikes and kids littering all over the place. This is not a walk in the park.
Okay, so this is the classic game we have all grown to love. But where does it differ on the DS? You may call it a port of the classic, but it includes some new minor changes. The first is your advisor. You can now select your advisor, and have a choice of 4. My favourite was Lee, who kept asking for prices to rise in goods and tickets. Another is the control system; the touch screen brings a huge lot of fun to the DS version. If playing other console versions, the control pad always made things slow. The DS version is on par, if not better then the PC version in terms of controls. However there were a few minor issues when my hand kept covering the screen and I couldn't select my handyman. It takes a little while to adjust to the controls, and would fully recommend using the tutorial the first time.
So apart from the few minor changes, Theme Park also boosts multiplayer functions. It allows players to visit other player’s theme parks. It lacks in any control or long-term use, but adds a simple option to solo play.
The graphics are rather disappointing for DS standards, take a look at New! Super Mario Bros. and Theme Park, and instantly the difference is noticed. The graphics and sound add a retro feel, but could have been updated to improve on the blocky guests who screech in an 8-bit tone. Not a game to play with headphones on.
So in light of everything, Theme Park would be perfect for nostalgic gamers who want to see a updated model. However they might be disappointed with the graphics and sound, as well as keep clicking the gate to change ticket price, only to find that they've shut the gates and the 300 guests are leaving. New players to Theme park will lavish in the glory that Theme Park represents, fun, complex management, and the feeling of success when your park boosts huge profits.