Frontier blew my mind, and we haven’t even gotten to play the game yet. Everything got a complete overhaul. The animations look more fluid, water looks more realistic, pathing looks gorgeous, and there is so much more to dive into here.
If that looks good to you, don’t worry, you won’t have to wait too long to play. Planet Zoo 2 releases on October 13, 2026, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. That’s right, this one is launching on consoles right away.
Planet Zoo 2 is taking the series to new heights and to new depths. Aviaries and aquariums will be available at launch, which is a first for the series. You probably caught this in the trailer, but the animations for these new kinds of animals are extremely realistic. But that’s not all, either, because Planet Zoo 2 is leaning into the conservation focus in a way that is both breathtaking and frankly inspiring.
Some of the aquatic species making an appearance include Black-Tipped Reef Sharks, Hawksbill Turtles, and lots of fish. The aquariums you place will not be static structures either; these are fully customizable enclosures. Zoo Keepers also got special animations to help take care of aquariums, which is pretty awesome.
Let’s pivot for a second and go to the skies. The Toco Toucan and Secretary Bird are just some of the flying species that will make their appearance in Planet Zoo 2. Aviaries are also completely customizable, just like normal enclosures, which I am wicked excited for. With the addition of aviaries comes Support Poles, which will allow players to generate habitat covers! Oh, and for a little extra interaction, zoo guests will be able to walk through some aviaries, which is awesome. It’s totally going to change how I design things going into the sequel.
Now we have to talk about how Planet Zoo 2 is leaning into the conversation side of things. This is one of the things that I am personally most excited for. We are taking on conservation projects from around the globe. We will be revitalising expansive wildlife reserves and taking part in creating living ecosystems. Like always, we must ensure that animals are kept in habitats that mirror their natural environments. But we will also be creating more immersive spaces for guests to interact with said animals and learn more about them. Everything is more meaningful in Planet Zoo 2 because each of the core systems seems to have gotten a complete overhaul.
Starting today, you’ll be able to pre-order Planet Zoo 2, and if you do, you’ll get the Bonus Content Pack at launch. That pack will include the Toucan Eat Shop and Signage, three unique Animal Donations Bins, and the Tiger Photo Stand-In Wall.
You could also get the Planet Zoo 2: Deluxe Edition instead. That will give you the base game, the Deluxe Upgrade Pack, which will include an additional six animal species from across the globe, as well as exclusive animal signs to decorate their park.
Planet Zoo 2 will launch on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S for £39.99/$49.99/€49.99 for the Standard Edition, and £54.99/$64.99/€64.99 for the Deluxe Edition. Be sure to tune in to the PC Gaming Show on June 7th for more Planet Zoo 2 information.
