13 Best Tycoon Games for Empire Building
Have you ever wanted to be a captain of industry? You know – one of those great business leaders with sprawling empires, worldwide fame, and unimaginable fortune? If so, the best tycoon games of 2023 are calling your name!
The best tycoon games let you experience the thrills and excitements of entrepreneurship but without the risk. You can build your own business from scratch and strategize your way to a significant market share. There are tons of great tycoon games on the market, with industries ranging from theme parks to the restaurant biz.
This article takes you through the top tycoon games available. We’ll also peek at the best upcoming titles and get a feel for the mechanics behind the genre. Think you’ve got what it takes to corner the market? Let’s get down to business.
13 Best Tycoon Games of 2023
We’ve curated the best tycoon titles to help you get your business.
1. Planet Coaster
Our pick for one of the best tycoon games on PC
- Platform: PC
- Genre: Tycoon
- Developer: Frontier Developments
- Release: 2016
Planet Coaster is an excellent PC tycoon game that offers the perfect blend of construction and management mechanics. Start the game with an empty lot, and use your initial funds to begin building. Invest wisely as you develop scenery, roller coasters, and other exciting activities. With enough effort and luck, you can build a hit park that rivals Disneyland. Think you’ve got the business chops to succeed? Check out Planet Coaster on Steam and ride your way to victory.
2. Parkitect
Our pick for one of the best theme park tycoon games
- Platform: PC, Mac, Linux
- Genre: Tycoon
- Developer: Texel Raptor
- Release: 2018
If you’re seeking an exciting theme park game, Parkitect is an excellent choice. You get to build exciting rides, acquire new customers, and rake in cash– as long as you spend wisely. You’ll have to take charge of the entire business development cycle, from financial oversight to employee management. The game features unique mechanics that separate it from the pack, and it’s quickly garnered a large community of modders. Moreover, it boasts some of the highest ratings in the genre!
3. Game Dev Tycoon
Our pick for one of the best tycoon games on Android
- Platform: PC, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android
- Genre: Tycoon
- Developer: Greenheart Games
- Release: 2012
Have you always wanted to own your game studio? Well, Game Dev Tycoon can make that a reality. Players begin the game in the early 1980s with nothing but a dream and a garage to work out of. From these humble beginnings, players are tasked with developing innovative titles, assembling a team of master game makers, and navigating the game industry’s winding maze. Interested? The game is a lot of fun and is the best mobile sim game!
4. Two Point Hospital
- Platform: PC, Mac, Linux
- Genre: Tycoon
- Developer: Two Point Studios
- Release: 2018
Two Point Hospital may be the best tycoon game for you if you’re looking for something a bit different. You’re in the hospital management business, and it’s up to you to turn this dilapidated medical center into an industry juggernaut. Build new expansions, hire an expert staff of medical professionals, and keep your patients happy and healthy. Two Point Hospital is a great way to get your tycoon fix, offering endless hours of immersive play.
5. Jurassic World Evolution
Our pick for one of the best tycoon games console
- Platform: PC, PS4, Xbox One
- Genre: Tycoon
- Developer: Frontier Developments
- Release: 2018
6. Prison Architect
Our pick for one of the best Tycoon games on iOS
- Platform: PC, Mac, Linux, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, iOS, Android
- Genre: Tycoon
- Developer: Introversion Software
- Release: 2015
Prison Architect is a unique tycoon game with players assuming control of a prison developer. You’re responsible for overseeing the entire operation, from layout to hiring staff to maintenance. But it’s much easier said than done. As the prison fills, it’s up to you to keep the inmates happy and safe. All you’ve got to do is keep everyone in line, and you’ll be just fine…
7. Transport Fever
Our pick for one of the best railroad tycoon games
- Platform: PC, Mac, Linux
- Genre: Tycoon
- Developer: Urban Games
- Release: 2016
If you’re a fan of railroad tycoon games, Transport Fever is the way to go. Start the game in the year 1850 at the precipice of steam power. Construct your transportation empire filled with railways, harbors, airports, and more. The randomly generated terrains and unique missions always provide new and exciting playthroughs. The game features a full-fledged campaign mode and a giant sandbox environment for unlimited business opportunities!
8. Megaquarium
Our pick for one of the best tycoon games on Steam
- Platform: PC, Mac, Linux
- Genre: Tycoon
- Developer: Twice Circled
- Release: 2018
Megaquarium has you assume the role of a newbie business owner whose set on creating an aquatic empire. Start your small aquarium with just a few old tanks and fishy friends. Spend time designing exhibits, researching new technology, and managing happy pets and visitors. It’ll be challenging, but the world is truly your oyster. You can check out Megaquarium on Steam today!
9. Big Pharma
Our pick for one of the top tycoon games PC
- Platform: PC, Mac, Linux
- Genre: Tycoon
- Developer: Twice Circled
- Release: 2015
It’s common knowledge that there’s a lot of money in pharmaceuticals, and Big Pharma is here to change the game. Your mission is to assume a manager role at a startup drug company. Using your creativity, you’ll need to develop and manufacture new prescription drugs from scratch. You’re charged with sourcing raw materials, assembling a crew of rockstar employees, manufacturing all the drugs, and shipping them out to consumers worldwide.
10. Capitalism Lab
Our pick for one of the best tycoon games ever
- Platform: Browser
- Genre: Tycoon
- Developer: Enlight
- Release: 2001
Capitalism Lab is the latest addition to Enlight’s hit Capitalism series. The premise? Create and manage a business empire from start to finish. The catch? You’re in charge of everything. Innovation, design, purchasing, manufacturing, shipping, and more are yours to handle. Go from newbie entrepreneur to business magnate controlling a massive global company. Capitalism is widely regarded as one of the best tycoon games ever, and this is one you don’t want to miss.
11. Railroad Corporation
- Platform: PC
- Genre: Tycoon
- Developer: Corbie Games
- Release: 2019
It’s the steam engine era, and your heart is set on claiming a piece of the action. Venture forth and build your rail line to connect the cities of North America. Compete against rival corporations as you vie for control over the United State’s transportation sector. Finally, take your rightful position as a railroad tycoon as you develop a business the world has never seen before. Think you’ve got what it takes? Railroad Corporation is slated for a Summer 2019 release on Steam.
12. Crossroads Inn
- Platform: PC
- Genre: Tycoon
- Developer: Kraken Unleashed
- Release: 2019
Are you a fan of fantasy games? Maybe you enjoy a good drink at the pub now and again? Either way, Crossroads Inn is an exciting tycoon game that will satisfy your taste buds, er, inner entrepreneur. Your task is to build and manage your tavern in Delcrys, a high fantasy realm. Be sure every guest leaves with high spirits and a full belly, and watch as your reputation spreads throughout the kingdom. Intrigued? The game is set for release in latter .
13. Voxel Tycoon
- Platform: PC
- Genre: Tycoon
- Developer: Voxel Tycoon
- Release: TBA
If you’re a fan of cool tycoon games that offer innovative mechanics, Voxel Tycoon is the way to go. Build your mining factories, harvest resources, and create a sprawling transportation empire. The game boasts fun and playful graphics, but don’t let them fool you. It’ll take all your business acumen and a sound strategy to corner any of the markets. The release date is TBA, but rest assured that the developers are hard at work putting the finishing touches on the game.
What are Tycoon Games?
Free Tycoon Games For PC, aka economic simulation games, are video games that emphasize business development and economic management. Their objective? Build a business from scratch and grow it into a large and profitable enterprise. This typically involves developing a business plan, constructing the physical environment, micromanaging the development process, and growing the fledgling business into an empire.
Tycoon games often mimic real-life ventures with titles that feature various industries. The first tycoon games to hit the market back in the 1980s included Lemonade Stand, Corn Cropper, and Oil Barons. As time went on and the genre matured, popular mainstream games like Railroad Tycoon and Theme Park were released to critical acclaim. Tycoon games peaked in the late 90s and early 2000s with megahits like Capitalism, but modern titles continue to innovate and push the limits of the genre.
General Thoughts on Tycoon Games
Now that we’ve defined the genre let’s look deeper at the nuances and mechanics that make tycoon games great.
1. Theme park tycoon games are a classic.
We guess theme parks jump to mind when we think of tycoon games. This is thanks to exciting titles like Theme Park and Rollercoaster Tycoon. Their premise? Build your theme park and exciting rides from scratch!
2. They can have real-world applications
Due to their real-world resemblance and AI integration, business simulations are sometimes used for training and predictive purposes across various industries.
3. The very first tycoon game was Intopia.
Released in 1963, Intopia is the first tycoon video game ever. It was so groundbreaking and innovative that modern-day classrooms still use software versions to teach students about business management and strategy.
4. Capitalism is one of the best tycoon games ever.
Capitalism is regarded as one of the best tycoon games ever made thanks to its encompassing approach that features mechanics from entire economies Tycoon Games For PC, aka economic simulation games, are video games that emphasize business development and economic management—their objective supply chain.
5. Tycoon games are a subgenre of simulation games.
That’s because they feature many of the same building and management mechanics as the best simulation games. The main difference? Tycoon games are narrower in scope and are strictly related to business management.
Further Reading
While tycoon games are great, you should never put all your eggs in one basket. For that reason, we’ve written a bunch of other great roundups for your gaming pleasure.
Author’s Opinion regarding the Tycoon Games For PC
The Tycoon Games For PC has powerful features, while considering the security purpose, priority is very high. No VPN or RDP is required for the said purpose. In some cases, the emulator also works fine, and middleware software also has an essential role in smooth functioning. Therefore, the author recommended the Tycoon Games For PC for your personal use and has no issue regarding the installation on PC (Windows and Mac). I hope you also use it without any trouble. If you have any issues, please mention them in the email, and we will provide you with the proper solutions. Please like and share with others; we made a lot of effort while collecting the software for your download.