The player can build shops, customize decorations, organize special events such as fashion shows, and manage mall employees.

The mall may become overrun with zombies or aliens which can be eradicated when the player calls upon the Men in Black.

[citation needed] The game was developed by Holistic Design, creator of the Merchant Prince series.

In the United States, Mall Tycoon sold 420,000 copies and earned $7.6 million by August 2006, after its release in January 2002.

An "owner" also can build restaurants, movie theaters, bowling alleys and arcades to attract customers.

Adding floors to the mall is expensive, but is a necessary investment when all vacant areas have been occupied and expanded to their limits.

The Deluxe version of Mall Tycoon 2 adds certain scenarios, more customer types and other new features.

Unlike in the previous installments of the series, Mall Tycoon 3 allows players to create customized stores.

In Mall Tycoon 3, the player paints the floor to create a store, allowing for them to be of any shape or size.