RollerCoaster Tycoon coming to 3DS

Developer n-Space is making a new RollerCoaster Tycoon for the 3DS, due this March and published by Atari. Rather than a straight port of any of the classic PC games, this will be an all-new game built from the ground up. You know, just like a roller coaster. The game will take advantage of the two standout features of the system, by letting you build your coasters with the touchscreen and then view them in 3D.

The latest issue of Nintendo Power (via GoNintendo) gives a glimpse of what to expect. You'll be able to design park themes like a Haunted House, and include other rides in your park like monorails, kiddie rides, carousels, and fair attractions. Coaster styles include suspended, hydraulic, wooden, steel, and inverted.

You'll also be handling park maintenance, managing staff like janitors and mechanics. To guide you through this mode, you'll get an in-game advisor and a Coaster Story mode with tutorials. If you'd rather play in the Coaster Creator or Sandbox without the responsibility of park management, you can.

n-space isn't historically the gatekeeper for the Tycoon series, but the company has plenty of handheld experience making licensed games, like the DS versions of Toy Story 3 and Tron: Evolution. The developer is currently making an original 3DS game as well, titled Heroes of Ruin.

[Screenshot from the original RollerCoaster Tycoon.]