It’s time to monkey around, because MacSoft has announced that it’s shipping Zoo Tycoon 2 for the Macintosh, a strategy game that puts you in charge of a zoo. It’s available for US$39.99 and should hit store shelves this week.
The Macintosh conversion of Zoo Tycoon 2 includes a special bonus — a DVD featuring film segments and trivial from National Geographic’s “Totally Wild” series.
In Zoo Tycoon 2, you build and operate your own zoo, doing everything from setting up the exhibits (making sure the environments are right for the animals, for example), to setting up concession and souvenir stands for the patrons, to making sure the park is well run with maintenance staff and animal caretakers.
A “Zoopedia” will also teach players important facts about the animals in their zoos.
A 3D graphics engine lets you explore the park from the viewpoint of your customers and the zookeeper, getting up close with giraffes, tigers, crocodiles and more than two dozen other creatures in your zoo.
Gamers familiar with the first Zoo Tycoon game will find new building tools and objects, “Photo Mode” options, easier terrain altering capabilities, rivers and more.
Rated “E” for Everyone by the ESRB, Zoo Tycoon 2 for the Mac requires a G4/800MHz or faster, Mac OS X v10.2.8 or later, 256MB RAM and a 32MB video card.