Planet Zoo 2 is already a Steam hit before launch as players rush to pre-order the new zoo sim
Planet Zoo 2 is not even out yet, but it is already making a major splash on Steam. Frontier Developments’ highly anticipated zoo management sequel launches on October 13, and early demand has pushed it near the top of the platform’s sales charts.
The sequel to 2019’s popular Planet Zoo keeps the core formula that made the original such a favorite among simulation fans. Players build and manage their own wildlife parks, create detailed habitats, care for animals, keep guests entertained, and balance the books to keep the zoo profitable. This time, however, the experience is expanding in several big ways.
One of the most exciting additions in Planet Zoo 2 is the arrival of underwater habitats. For the first time in the series, players can design freshwater and saltwater aquariums filled with marine life, including blacktip reef sharks, sea turtles, and a variety of fish species. This opens the door to much more diverse zoo layouts, allowing players to combine traditional land habitats with immersive aquatic exhibits.
The skies are getting more life as well. Planet Zoo 2 introduces free-flying birds, including species such as toco toucans and secretary birds. These animals can be housed in custom aviaries, giving players more creative control over how their parks look and function. Frontier Developments is also promising improved animations and more natural animal behavior, which should make habitats feel more alive and believable.
Conservation will play a larger role in the sequel. A new Wildlife Reserves feature allows players to build nature reserves and release animals back into the wild. This gives the game a stronger environmental focus and adds another layer to the zoo management experience beyond simply building attractions and caring for animals.
Construction tools are also being improved. Planet Zoo 2 aims to make terrain editing, plant placement, and path building easier and more flexible. For a series known for detailed park creation, these upgrades could be especially important for players who enjoy designing realistic, beautiful, or highly imaginative zoos.
The game will include several ways to play. Career mode gives players structured challenges and progression, franchise mode focuses on long-term zoo management, and sandbox mode allows full creative freedom for anyone who wants to build without limitations.
Ahead of its release, Planet Zoo 2 has already climbed impressively on Steam. In Germany, it reached second place on the top sellers chart, trailing only Aion 2. That means it has already moved ahead of major names such as EA Sports FC 27 and ARC Raiders. Globally, the game is also performing strongly, ranking seventh before launch. The most notable part is that this success is coming entirely from pre-orders, showing just how much anticipation surrounds the game.
Planet Zoo 2 will be available on Steam for $49.99 for the standard edition. The Deluxe Edition costs $15 more and includes six additional animal species along with exclusive decoration items. Players who pre-order also receive bonus cosmetic content.
The PC system requirements are relatively reasonable for a modern simulation game. Planet Zoo 2 requires at least 16 GB of RAM and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060, while an RTX 3070 is recommended for a better experience. The game has also already received Steam Deck Verified status, meaning it should be ready for handheld play at launch.
With strong pre-order sales, new aquatic habitats, free-flying birds, expanded conservation features, and improved building tools, Planet Zoo 2 is shaping up to be one of the most important simulation game releases of October. For fans of zoo builders, management sims, and creative sandbox games, Frontier’s latest release looks set to offer plenty to explore when it arrives on October 13.
