Tutorial/Scenario mode takes the player through many short games, each with a set goal, increasing in difficulty.

Freeform lets players create a zoo free of time restrictions and goals.

Muller also criticized the near-complete lack of music and sound effects, remarking "You could play this game on mute without missing anything.

[5] Dan Adams of IGN also strongly detested the game, despairingly opening up his review with the words, while sending himself death threats; "Please kill me.

Zoo Tycoon DS has sucked the will to live out of my eyeballs and left me with nothing but cramped hands.