Zoo Tycoon
Nintendo DS · 2005
About this game
Zoo Tycoon is an entry in Microsoft's long-running zoo management series and the first game in the series for a console platform.
In the Challenge mode the player has to build a zoo from the ground up with short challenges.
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This includes designing the environment, building exhibits with important parts such as feeders, bathing stations and various enrichments, taking care of the animals, managing finances and keeping an eye on the visitors' happiness.
The game uses a top-down mode for the overall management, a third-person mode to explore the zoo on foot or using a buggie, and a first-person perspective for some activities and taking photographs while exploring, similar to the earlier Kinect: Disneyland Adventures by the same developer.
The overall performance is tracked through different status bars with three main colours: red, orange and green.
The other game modes next to the Challenge mode are Training mode (ten missions), Freeform mode (no pressure for money or research) and Campaign mode (twenty levels with long-term goals).
Up to four players can work together simultaneously in the three main modes to build and maintain the zoo with support for voice chat.
By doing well experience is gained to level up (zoo fame) and access new possibilities.
Many animals and structures need to be researched before they are used (only one at a time) and then they can be used in the zoo.
Paths are designed automatically in a logical manner after placing buildings and cannot be edited.
Animals include antelopes, bears, binturongs, elephants, flamingoes, fossas, giraffes, hippopotamuses, komodo dragons, iguanas, lemurs, lions, lizards, macaws, meerkats, mongooses, monkeys, pandas, peafowls, rhinos, sloths, snakes, tigers and tortoises.
There are multiple varieties of a single species.
The Xbox 360 version contains about 65 animals and the Xbox One version over 100.
Information about each type of animal is stored in the Zoopedia.
All adoptable animals have a level between two an
About Nintendo DS
The dual-screen, touch-enabled Nintendo DS (2004) became the best-selling handheld of all time, helped by its huge and genre-diverse library. Cartridge-based DS games have held up well physically over 20 years, and complete-in-box copies of the system's biggest sellers (Nintendogs, Pokémon, Mario Kart) remain very accessible for new collectors starting out.
Gamevaro tracks Zoo Tycoon for Nintendo DS with separate market values for loose, complete-in-box (CIB) and factory-sealed copies, sourced from real eBay sales. Prices also vary by region — PAL, NTSC-U and NTSC-J releases of the same game often sell for different amounts due to print run sizes and regional collector demand.
Adding Zoo Tycoon to a Gamevaro collection takes seconds — search by title or scan the box barcode, and the app fills in cover art, release details and current pricing automatically. This NDS release dates back to 2005.
Price history
Market values by condition
PAL
NTSC-U
Recent sales
| Date | Type | Region | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-07-12 | Box Only | PAL | €1.72 |
| 2026-07-12 | Complete in Box | NTSC-U | €5.86 |
| 2026-07-12 | Complete in Box | PAL | €4.60 |
| 2026-07-12 | Item only | PAL | €3.26 |
| 2026-07-12 | Item only | NTSC-U | €4.20 |
| 2026-07-12 | Manual Only | PAL | €1.12 |
| 2026-07-12 | New (sealed) | PAL | €8.75 |
| 2026-07-12 | Manual Only | NTSC-U | €2.17 |
| 2026-07-12 | Graded New | PAL | €9.62 |
| 2026-07-12 | Graded New | NTSC-U | €23.09 |
| 2026-07-12 | New (sealed) | NTSC-U | €20.99 |
| 2026-07-12 | Box Only | NTSC-U | €5.86 |
| 2026-07-10 | Item only | PAL | €11.00 |
| 2026-07-10 | Box Only | PAL | €1.72 |
| 2026-07-10 | Box Only | NTSC-U | €5.86 |
| 2026-07-10 | Graded New | NTSC-U | €23.08 |
| 2026-07-10 | Item only | NTSC-U | €4.20 |
| 2026-07-10 | Complete in Box | PAL | €4.60 |
| 2026-07-10 | Item only | PAL | €3.26 |
| 2026-07-10 | Manual Only | NTSC-U | €2.17 |
| 2026-07-10 | New (sealed) | PAL | €8.75 |
| 2026-07-10 | Graded New | PAL | €9.62 |
| 2026-07-10 | Complete in Box | PAL | €9.48 |
| 2026-07-10 | New (sealed) | PAL | €26.20 |
| 2026-07-10 | Complete in Box | NTSC-U | €5.86 |
| 2026-07-10 | New (sealed) | NTSC-U | €20.98 |
| 2026-07-10 | Manual Only | PAL | €1.12 |
| 2026-07-09 | Complete in Box | NTSC-U | €7.30 |
| 2026-07-09 | New (sealed) | NTSC-U | €20.02 |
| 2026-07-09 | Item only | NTSC-U | €8.77 |
Market insights
Rarity & condition
Zoo Tycoon has a steady sales history on the tracked marketplaces, meaning enough copies circulate to establish a reliable market price.
Complete-in-box (CIB) copies typically command a premium over loose cartridges/discs because the original box and manual are more fragile and get discarded or damaged over time — fewer complete sets survive.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Zoo Tycoon worth?
Zoo Tycoon for Nintendo DS is currently worth €11.00 loose, €4.60 complete in box, and €8.75 factory sealed. Prices are based on real sales and update regularly on Gamevaro.
Is Zoo Tycoon rare?
Zoo Tycoon has a steady sales history on the tracked marketplaces, meaning it trades hands regularly and isn't considered particularly rare.
What's the difference between loose, CIB and sealed for Zoo Tycoon?
Loose means cartridge or disc only, CIB (complete in box) includes the original box and manual, and sealed means factory-sealed and never opened. For Zoo Tycoon, loose is €11.00 and CIB is €4.60 — CIB commands a premium because original boxes and manuals are fragile and often don't survive.
Is Zoo Tycoon worth more in PAL or NTSC?
The PAL version of Zoo Tycoon is currently worth €11.00 loose, versus €8.77 for NTSC-U. Regional price differences usually come down to print run size and regional collector demand.
Ratings & Reviews
Also on other platforms
More Nintendo DS games