Microsoft has bundled its highly successful Zoo Tycoon game and its two expansions, Dinosaur Digs and Marine Mania, into one package, along with a few extra goodies like an endangered species theme pack and a strategy guide. Due to the fact that the main program and the two add-ons have both been reviewed previously, this review will not be an in-depth review, but will look at the bundle as a whole. Readers can check out the more extensive reviews of Zoo Tycoon, Dinosaur Digs and Marine Mania by clicking on the links.

For those who may not know, Zoo Tycoon is a simulation program from Microsoft and Blue Fang that allows users to build the ultimate zoo. The original game had lots of cool animals and accompanying habitats and toys, which were quite fun to use in building and designing. The game wasn't overly difficult, thus making it a perfect family game where everyone could play. Excellent tutorials eased players into the game, and the menus were easy to understand and use. The only drawbacks to the program were the slight difficulty keeping the animals happy (due to lack of in-depth information on how to make them happier) and the staff organized. Still, it was a nice simulation overall that compared favorably with others in the same genre.

Soon enough, expansion packs were added. Dinosaur Digs was the first one released, and while the dinos were fun additions, there wasn't enough content to really justify the price. However, the next add-on, Marine Mania, really expanded on the gaming experience of the original by adding water-based areas with aquatic animals, lots of new scenarios and the ability to have choreographed shows reminiscent of theme parks like Sea World. This expansion was definitely worth the price.

Well, the above statement has already answered the question of whether this bundle is worth the price tag, because if I thought the expansion of Marine Mania was worth $20, than it's a given that I believe that this is a great program to have for $30. Not only do you get the original and both expansions, but twelve new species in the endangered species theme pack, which also features three new scenarios and forty objects. Throw in an official strategy guide and you've really gotten a bargain!