Overview

RollerCoaster Tycoon: The Board Game is a board game adaptation of the popular video game, published by Parker Brothers/Hasbro in 2002. Players compete as theme park managers, buying attractions on the game board and directing neutral guest pawns through the park to earn guest points. The game combines roll-and-move mechanics with bidding for attractions. The player who attracts the most guests to their rides wins.

Components

• Game board depicting a theme park with attraction spaces
• Guest pawns (neutral figures representing park visitors)
• Player money tokens/bills
• Attraction cards or tiles
• Dice
• Player markers
• Score track or guest point tokens

Setup

1. Place the game board in the center.
2. Each player takes starting money.
3. Place guest pawns on their starting positions on the board.
4. Lay out attraction cards or tiles for auction.
5. Each player places their marker on the score track.
6. Determine starting player.

Turn Structure

On each turn:

1. Roll Dice: Roll to determine guest movement.
2. Move Guests: Move one or more guest pawns the indicated number of spaces. Players strategically guide guests toward their own attractions.
3. Score Guest Points: When a guest lands on or passes through a player’s attraction, that player earns guest points.
4. Buy Attractions (if applicable): During designated phases, players may bid on and purchase new attractions to add to the park.
5. Event Resolution: Certain spaces or cards trigger events that affect the park (new guests arrive, weather changes, etc.).

Actions

Moving Guests: Instead of moving your own piece, you move the neutral guest pawns around the park. The strategic element lies in directing guests to land on your attractions rather than opponents’.

Buying Attractions: When an attraction becomes available, players bid their money. The highest bidder wins the attraction and places their marker on it. Owned attractions generate guest points.

Upgrading: Some rules allow improving attractions to generate more guest points when guests visit.

Events: Event cards or spaces may introduce new guests, cause rides to malfunction (temporarily stopping guest point generation), or provide bonus opportunities.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

The game ends when a set condition is met (all attractions purchased, certain number of rounds completed, or all guests have left the park).

Each player totals their guest points. The player with the most guest points wins. Ties are broken by the player who owns the most attractions.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• Guests are neutral and can benefit any player; the key is strategic movement to direct them to your rides.
• Players cannot move guests backward on the track.
• Some attractions are more valuable (generate more guest points) but cost more to purchase.
• Money management is important; overspending on one attraction may leave you unable to compete for later, better ones.
• Malfunctioning rides do not generate guest points until repaired.

Player Reference

Turn: Roll dice > Move guests > Score guest points > Buy attractions (when available).

Win: Most guest points at game end. Tie-break: most attractions.

Key mechanic: Moving neutral guest pawns to land on your own attractions.