About
OpenRCT2 is an open-source reimplementation of Chris Sawyer's RollerCoaster Tycoon 2, the 2002 theme park management simulation classic. Using the original game's data files, OpenRCT2 rebuilds the game engine with modern enhancements: widescreen and high-resolution support, an in-game scenario editor, online multiplayer, custom content support, and a long list of quality-of-life changes that the original game lacked.
The project has been in active development since 2014 and is widely regarded as the definitive way to play RCT2 on modern hardware. The original RCT2 data files remain required and are available cheaply from GOG and Steam.
Identity
Launch
- Binary
- openrct2
- Needs files
-
- RollerCoaster Tycoon 2 game files (cheap on GOG or Steam)
Runtime
- Runs as
- Native Linux
- Proton
- not needed
⚙ Setup notes
Native: OpenRCT2 is an open-source reimplementation of RollerCoaster Tycoon 2, developed by Ted John and a large community of contributors since 2014. No Proton is needed; this is a fully native Linux binary.
Install: It ships native Linux binaries on GitHub at github.com/OpenRCT2/OpenRCT2/releases — download the latest AppImage for Linux. It is also on Flathub as io.openrct2.OpenRCT2 (flatpak install flathub io.openrct2.OpenRCT2), which is the easiest path on Deck and bundles innoextract to auto-extract RCT2 data from a GOG install.
DRM: No DRM in OpenRCT2 itself, but it requires the original RollerCoaster Tycoon 2 game data files, which are sold very cheaply on GOG and Steam (RollerCoaster Tycoon Classic data also works). On Deck, GOG via Heroic Games Launcher is an easy purchase/download path; the Flatpak can extract the GOG files automatically.
Setup: After downloading the OpenRCT2 binary and obtaining the RCT2 game data, launch openrct2 once on the desktop and point it to the directory containing your RCT2 data files.
Features: OpenRCT2 adds online multiplayer, a scenario editor, higher resolutions, widescreen, UI scaling, and a large number of quality-of-life improvements over the original game.
Game Mode: Add it as a non-Steam shortcut to access it from Game Mode.
Controller: The classicsondeck.com website has a dedicated step-by-step setup guide for the Steam Deck specifically, including controller configuration.
The one thing to know
Supply your own copy: Requires RollerCoaster Tycoon 2 data files — GOG and Steam versions both work. On Deck, use Heroic Games Launcher to purchase and download the GOG version.
Controller: Follow the classicsondeck.com guide for controller setup; a Steam Input profile is recommended for comfortable play. Touchscreen input also works in the OpenRCT2 UI.
Install: The Flathub build (io.openrct2.OpenRCT2) is the easiest path on Deck and can auto-extract RCT2 data from a GOG install; the AppImage from GitHub is a self-contained alternative.
Community guides
Write-ups and threads from people who got this (or a similar) game running. deckport links to them — it doesn't reproduce them.
Get the artwork
deckport never hosts game images. Open this game on SteamGridDB, pick
the cover / hero / logo / icon you like, and drop them into the
game folder under .deckport-art/ before you push it to the
Deck. The importer files them under the right names automatically.
Run it on your Deck
Two files: the one-time importer (deckport.py) in your
Deck's home folder, and this game's install helper. Copy the game
into ~/Games and run the helper with Steam closed — it
writes the recipe (binary, launch options)
and registers the shortcut with artwork.