Planet Zoo 2 Launches on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S

Frontier Developments released Planet Zoo 2 on October 13, 2026, bringing its zoo management simulation to PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. The studio announced the global release in a company announcement, with the sequel introducing aquatic and flying species to the series for the first time.

The studio first announced Planet Zoo 2 on May 28, 2026, confirming the October 13, 2026 launch date, the same three platforms and the same edition pricing at that time. That announcement introduced the first-time aviaries and aquariums, the Wildlife Reserves feature and a deeper conservation focus, which Frontier described as a generational leap forward in animation and animal behaviour.

In the game, players take the role of the Fauna and Ecosystems Network’s newest Conservation Coordinator, taking on conservation projects on a global scale. Frontier said the sequel builds on the original Planet Zoo, which it called critically acclaimed and beloved, and features over 130 animals alongside never-before-seen aviaries, aquariums and wildlife reserves.

Animals, Habitats and Building Tools

Frontier said Planet Zoo 2 offers the most true-to-life representation of animals in the series to date, from high-fidelity fur, feathers and scales through to authentic behaviours. Players must meet the unique needs of each animal, creating habitats and exhibits inspired by their natural environments. For the first time, they can also build fully customisable aquariums and aviaries to care for aquatic and flying species.

The studio’s piece-by-piece building tools, terrain tools and the Frontier Workshop are included to support player creations. On the official Planet Zoo 2 website, the Zoopedia highlights featured species including the black rhinoceros; the Javan green magpie, found only on the Indonesian island of Java; the common ostrich, listed as the largest known bird species in the world; the West Indian manatee; the giant panda, native to the mountains of Central China; and the Sumatran orangutan, endemic to the Indonesian island of Sumatra.

Conservation and Game Modes

Conservation goes beyond the zoo in Planet Zoo 2, with players taking on projects worldwide to restore Wildlife Reserves while nurturing and releasing animals into thriving ecosystems. The official site describes the simulation as building a zoo from the ground up, constructing habitats, caring for realistically simulated animals and managing day-to-day operations, with zoos spanning multiple biomes.

The game ships with three modes, and the official site outlines each. Career mode joins the Fauna and Ecosystems Network on a globetrotting expedition managing zoos and Wildlife Reserves. Sandbox mode allows unlimited creativity, while Franchise mode tasks players with building a global wildlife network of zoos and reserves with shared progression and research.

Across all three modes, players can trade animals with other players and work together on community goals. A new Planet Hub provides a central view of a player’s growing conservation network, and a first-person camera lets zookeepers step inside their zoos, reserves and creations made by the wider community.

Editions, Pricing and Launch Content

Planet Zoo 2 is available in two editions. The Standard Edition carries a suggested retail price of £39.99, $49.99 or €49.99, and the Deluxe Edition is listed at £54.99, $64.99 or €64.99. On PC, the game is sold through Steam and the Epic Games Store, with console versions on the PlayStation and Xbox stores.

The site’s news section reveals a Photo Mode for the game alongside a collaboration with WWF UK, plus an interview with Dr Alexander Sliwa, a curator at Cologne Zoo, discussing the zoo’s snow leopard conservation work. New players can also find official guides covering the basics, controls and keyboard shortcuts, building a zoo, animals and staff.

Players who join the mailing list on the official site receive an exclusive in-game reward, a brass sculpture of the Hawksbill Turtle. Frontier is also running weekly Community Challenges that award in-game rewards for completing milestones. A marine breeding challenge, Bred ‘n’ Water, is listed as in progress with a 200,000 milestone, and the Green Green Grassland Release to Wild challenge is scheduled for October 27, 2026.