Top 25 tycoon games about starting your own business

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Ignacio Weil

Gaming - November 5th 2024, 16:50 GMT+1

About this gallery:

For this list, we decided to focus on tycoon games where the goal is to build and grow your business empire. And yes, we know the difference between a tycoon game and a city-builder, but we added a few city-builders where, well, running the city is the business. As always, we’ve included only one game per franchise.

Think we missed an essential tycoon classic? Let us know in the comments! | © Ubisoft

Open TTD — OpenTTD (2004)

OpenTTD is the ultimate throwback for transport enthusiasts who dream of building railroads, roads, and networks like an industrial-era mastermind. While it may look modest, this free game lets you dive deep into the logistics of moving goods and people – with a few epic train crashes along the way. It’s complex enough to make you feel like a transport tycoon, yet simple enough to keep the fun rolling. Beware of addictive gameplay that can turn hours into days! | © OpenTTD Developers

Cropped Roller Coaster Tycoon — RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 (2004)

Who wouldn’t want to design roller coasters with wild, nausea-inducing twists and loops? RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 puts you in charge of creating the perfect theme park, complete with realistic 3D graphics and even a water park expansion. It’s all fun and games until you send guests soaring off a poorly designed track – oops! This one’s got thrills, spills, and plenty of silly guest reactions to keep you entertained. | © Frontier Developments

Cropped The Movies — The Movies (2005)

The Movies combines Hollywood glamour with behind-the-scenes madness as you build a film studio from the silent era to the sci-fi age. It’s all about managing egos, hiring talent, and maybe dealing with a few scandalous celebrity tantrums. If you've ever dreamed of directing your blockbuster, this game has your name in lights. Just don’t expect every movie to be Oscar-worthy – the B-movies here are half the fun. | © Lionhead Studios

Cropped Sid Meiers Railroads — Sid Meier's Railroads (2006)

Sid Meier’s Railroads has you channeling your inner Vanderbilt, connecting cities and expanding industries with railways. The game strikes a fine balance between managing logistics and enjoying the eye-candy of trains chugging along scenic landscapes. And yes, you’ll face rival tycoons determined to make your life challenging. All aboard for a charming rail empire with plenty of clicks and clacks! | © Firaxis Games

Capitalism Lab (2012)

Capitalism Lab isn’t messing around – it’s hardcore economic simulation where you’re not just running a company but an entire economy. From manufacturing and retail to stock markets and logistics, this game tests your business acumen to the max. Just be ready to face brutal market forces that’ll chew you up if you’re not careful. Capitalism Lab is for those who see dollar signs and love the grind! | © Enlight Software

Game Dev Tycoon (2012)

In Game Dev Tycoon, you’ll relive the rollercoaster of gaming history, crafting your own game studio and dreaming up titles for the ages. Starting in your garage, you’ll learn the pain and joy of game development, where one flop could mean game over. It’s quirky, meta, and perfect for anyone who’s imagined making the next gaming blockbuster. Just try not to go bankrupt after your first release. | © Greenheart Games

Prison Architect (2015)

Prison Architect gives you the reins of a penitentiary, challenging you to build cells, manage inmates, and prevent riots – or not. Dark humor meets complex systems as you deal with everything from solitary to budgeting. You’ll quickly learn that keeping prisoners calm is easier said than done, especially when they have tunneling ambitions. It’s criminally addictive and wickedly fun! | © Introversion Software

Offworld Trading Company (2016)

Ever wonder what business would be like on Mars? Offworld Trading Company turns you into an interplanetary entrepreneur, where resources are rare and competition is fierce. You’ll buy, sell, and sabotage your way to the top, battling ruthless AI or friends. Forget rockets – it’s all about the bottom line in this wild economic strategy game. | © Mohawk Games

Cropped Planet Coaster — Planet Coaster (2016)

Planet Coaster is the ultimate theme park sandbox, where you’re the creative force behind every thrill ride and concession stand. With beautifully detailed parks and an insane level of customization, this game is a roller coaster enthusiast’s dream. The real challenge? Trying not to go bankrupt while keeping guests from puking. Hold on tight – it’s a wild ride! | © Frontier Developments

Transport Fever 2016)

Transport Fever is for those who live for the rhythm of trains, planes, and automobiles. Starting from scratch, you’ll build a transport empire connecting cities with bustling routes. Just watch out for traffic jams and budgets spiraling out of control. It’s a complex, immersive journey through transport history – all in the name of logistical supremacy. | © Urban Games

Workers Resources Soviet Republic — Workers & Resources: Soviet Republic (2017)

Ever wanted to run a communist republic? Workers & Resources lets you do just that, balancing resources, production, and workforce while keeping citizens content. The Soviet aesthetic adds charm, but the gameplay is as deep as the Iron Curtain. It’s tricky, fascinating, and ideal for those who see beauty in efficiency and socialist planning. | © 3Division

Two Point Hospital (2018)

Two Point Hospital makes medical emergencies hilariously fun, throwing wacky illnesses and bizarre treatments your way. You’re in charge of managing staff, expanding rooms, and curing patients with conditions like Cubism or Jest Infection. It’s silly, addictive, and will have you chuckling over the most absurd patient complaints. Who knew hospitals could be this entertaining? | © Two Point Studios

Parkitect (2018)

For anyone nostalgic for classic theme park games, Parkitect is a refreshing return to form. It combines retro aesthetics with modern design mechanics, giving you a fun, challenging experience in managing rides, shops, and visitor paths. It’s the perfect mix of strategy and creativity, letting you create the park of your dreams. Just watch out for long queues! | © Texel Raptor

Mashinky (2018)

Mashinky is a train tycoon game that blends isometric charm with strategy and realism. You’ll lay tracks, manage cargo, and keep trains running on time, facing the demands of different eras. It’s like playing with model trains but with a business twist. Don’t get derailed by financial challenges – it’s a rewarding journey through locomotive history! | © Jan Zelený

Megaquarium (2018)

Megaquarium invites you to build and manage an aquarium, designing tanks and balancing water quality to keep fish happy. It’s a peaceful, colorful game where each fish has specific needs and quirks. It’s less “Shark Tank” and more “Tank of Happiness,” with a chill vibe that makes it perfect for anyone who loves fish and finance alike. | © Twice Circled

Planet Zoo (2019)

Planet Zoo is a treat for animal lovers, combining beautiful animal animations with complex park management. You’ll design habitats, care for endangered species, and cater to guests, all while avoiding animal escapes. It’s cute, educational, and surprisingly intense – because keeping a giraffe happy is serious business! | © Frontier Developments

Parkasaurus (2019)

Parkasaurus lets you create the dino theme park of your childhood dreams, complete with custom-built enclosures and quirky dinosaur personalities. It’s colorful, friendly, and full of surprises as you balance visitor safety with prehistoric attractions. Jurassic fun meets park simulation, and the results are as charming as they are chaotic. | © Washbear Studio

Anno 1800 (2019)

Anno 1800 is the grand journey through the industrial revolution, with the elegance of city-building and the thrill of exploration. Managing resources and trade routes becomes an art form as you build a thriving empire. It’s beautiful, detailed, and filled with that Anno charm, where every decision feels grand. | © Ubisoft

Tropico 6 (2019)

As El Presidente, Tropico 6 gives you the power to rule with an iron fist – or a slightly more benevolent touch. From managing politics to keeping the economy afloat, you’re the island’s leader, navigating your way through comical crises. It’s fun, tongue-in-cheek, and perfect for anyone with a slightly dictatorial streak. | © Limbic Entertainment

Mad Games Tycoon 2 (2020)

Mad Games Tycoon 2 brings the chaotic world of game development to life, from hiring staff to creating games and consoles. It’s hilariously accurate, capturing the ups and downs of the industry, where one bad review can make or break you. Whether you’re crafting AAA hits or indie gems, the rollercoaster of success and failure is real. | © Eggcode

Lets Build a Zoo — Let's Build a Zoo (2021)

Let’s Build a Zoo goes beyond the usual zoo simulation, adding quirky genetic splicing and animal hybrids like giraffe-dogs. Managing visitors, habitats, and ethics, this game lets you unleash your wild side – literally. It’s cute, cheeky, and perfect for players with a touch of mad scientist in them. | © Springloaded

Voxel Tycoon (2021)

Voxel Tycoon combines resource management with logistics in a charming, blocky world where you transport goods across vast networks. It’s a sandbox dream for fans of resource chains and logistics puzzles. Keep those trains running, and try not to let your network come crashing down. | © Voxel Tycoon

Two Point Campus (2022)

Two Point Campus makes higher education fun as you build wacky schools with subjects like wizardry and virtual reality. You’re balancing budgets, hiring eccentric professors, and managing dorm drama – college life in all its glory! It’s the perfect combo of humor and strategy for those who never left the academic dream. | © Two Point Studios

Railway Empire 2 (2023)

Railway Empire 2 lets you be the rail magnate you’ve always wanted to be, connecting towns and creating routes across beautiful landscapes. It’s more polished than its predecessor, with smoother mechanics and improved graphics. Just don’t get sidetracked by competitors trying to derail your plans! | © Gaming Minds Studios

Big Ambitions (2023)

Big Ambitions is all about building a business empire in the big city, where you start small and aim for the corporate penthouse. From corner shops to skyscrapers, it’s a story of rising through the ranks with enough depth to keep you hooked. Watch out, the market’s fierce – but that’s half the fun! | © Hovgaard Games

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Starting your own business in real life is a thrilling, challenging journey, filled with dreams of success and the occasional dose of chaos. But if you’re looking to dive into entrepreneurship without the real-world risks, tycoon games offer the perfect virtual playground. These games put you in the driver’s seat, allowing you to build empires from scratch, whether it’s designing a theme park, managing a bustling zoo, or crafting the perfect transportation network.

In this list, we’re counting down the top 25 tycoon games that let you channel your inner mogul, each game handpicked for its unique business-building thrills. So, grab your virtual blueprint and prepare to strategize, expand, and dominate your industry!