When it comes to the best dinosaur games out there, there's a range of different experiences across genres to try out. Certain entries like Ark: Survival Evolved are even counted among the best survival games around, and with no shortage of options, you're sure to find something to suit you.
All of these games, of course, have one big thing in common: Dinos. From some of the best simulators with a prehistoric edge to an immersive VR game that brings you closer to the giants of the Jurassic period, this selection has the very best experiences on offer across different platforms. So, if you're a big fan of all things Jurassic, or you have someone in your life who's a big dinosaur fan, we're here to help.
Read on below to find our pick of the best dinosaur games that we think are absolute dino-mite.
10. Jurassic World Evolution 2
Developer: Frontier Developments
Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, PC
Let's start with a potentially existential question. One that's especially pertinent to the guests of your dinosaur zoo. Is it possible to build a living prehistoric theme park without blood spattering the pathways between exhibits? Jurassic World Evolution 2 lets you check again, just to make sure, and sadly, for your TripAdvisor score; the answer is definitely no.
Once again, Frontier Developments pits us against nature, nurture, and seriously disgruntled scientists in pursuit of the ultimate Jurassic Park. This time around, we've got bonus flying dinosaurs to contend with and a watery swathe of underwater creatures to manage, too. At least the latter don't find it as easy to get out, but believe us when we say they come with their own challenges. Add in the voice of Jeff Goldblum as the ever-cynical Dr. Ian Malcolm, and this sequel, like life, finds a way to make your time disappear.
Read our Jurassic World Evolution 2 review.
9. Jurassic World: Aftermath
Developer: Coatsink
Platforms: Quest 2, Quest
How do you know you're a '90s kid? Well, if the Jurassic Park kitchen raptor scene was one of your first moments of true nightmare fuel that's probably a good indicator. And if you're feeling brave enough to actually live through that sequence, clicking talons, tense John Williams score and all, you're not going to want to miss Jurassic World: Aftermath. One of the best VR games around, this is made entirely of those dread-filled moments as you're hunted by ultra-deadly six-foot turkeys.
Aftermath is set between the events of Jurassic World and Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom and leans heavily into stealth as we desperately try to escape a research facility which, of course, is populated with three dangerously hungry raptors. Arming you with nothing but your wits and a few distraction techniques, this is tense and dangerously immersive stuff. Believe us when we say pulling a Chris Pratt and stretching your arms out to placate them just… doesn't work. Unless you want them to start with the finger food…
8. Parkasaurus
Developer: Washbear Studio
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch
If you fancy a somewhat gentler dinosaur theme park experience - y'know, the kind where your exhibits can wear cozy bobblehats - you really don't want to miss Parkasarus. This is still very much a management sim, complete with dino enclosure stats and research tasks for better facilities, but the cuddlier atmosphere means things feel significantly less stressful even when an escape does occur. Everything about Parkasaurus is satisfying and colorful, with rounded edges and definitely not scientifically correct dinosaur anatomy. Although, we'd definitely pay to see a new Jurassic movie with these all googly eyes.
If you want a chilled and charming management experience with plenty of granularity, Parkasaurus is the perfect alternative to the Jurassic World Evolution games. Think Two Point Hospital with dinosaurs and some lovely decorative fairy lights, and you'll be en-raptor-ed for hours. Sorry…
7. LEGO Jurassic World
Developer: TT Games
Platforms: PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android
Not only is LEGO Jurassic World one of the best dinosaur games you can play right now, but it also happens to be one of the very best LEGO games available. And Jurassic World is actually a bit of a misnomer. Yes, there are levels for the 2015 movie, but the best bits of this game are the sections dedicated to the 1993 original. The Lost World and Jurassic Park 3 are here, too, but just like in real life, Jurassic Park is the true star of the show.
Joining Drs Ellie Satler and Alan Grant in brick form is a stud-packed delight, and the level in the underground bunker as Ellie heads to turn the electricity back on is probably the closest we'll ever get to a LEGO Dino Crisis. If you didn't think LEGO games could be scary and funny, head into the raptor-filled dark here. It doesn't seem to matter that they're made of plastic…
Read our LEGO Jurassic World review.
6. ARK: Survival Evolved
Developer: Studio Wildcard
Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android, Stadia
Why would you want to keep a dinosaur in a cage when you can ride it and feel like a mini-god in a prehistoric world? ARK: Survival Evolved might have a point. This sprawling open-world survival game has grown exponentially over the last five years into a powerful stomping behemoth of dinosaur escapism. It's not lost its teeth over the years - you'll still struggle to survive at first whether you're playing in single or multiplayer- but the ARK ecosystem means you can choose to play however you want in this world.
Whether you want to join a Tribe with friends and live in harmony with your tamed creatures, or live a life alone farming the land, ARK offers a dangerously compelling universe. Come for the rideable dinosaurs and stay for the fascinating island, endless crafting loops, and terrifying mythical creatures. It's well worth checking out while we wait it out for the release of Ark 2.
5. The Isle
Developer: Afterthought LLC
Platforms: PC (Early Access)
And if you thought it was all looking sunny from the dinosaur's perspective, like a screaming delicious all-you-can-eat buffet, The Isle is here to bring you down a peg or two. In fact, potentially all the way down to the bottom of the food chain, depending on your choice of character. This gritty open-world survival horror lets you play as a carnivore as well as a human, but regardless of your choice, this is an unwelcoming world of peril.
Survival is your only goal, which means staying out of the way of pretty much everything with teeth and concentrating on staying alive in a world where other players want to make you lunch. It's currently in Early Access, so expect big changes as the game evolves, but currently, The Isle is a stressful journey into realizing that the grass really isn't greener on the other side. It's, well, redder…
4. Minecraft - Jurassic World
Developer: Mojang
Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android
Just when you thought no further expense could be spared, we've got another official Universal game for you. Minecraft’s Jurassic World DLC is available from the Minecraft Marketplace for the Bedrock Edition, and this is no mere lazy movie tie-in. Head to Isla Nublar, and there's a sprawling, blocky Jurassic World to explore that you actually have to run as a new manager.
Open the gates to visitors and, just like Frontier's sim, you'll have to stop disasters, fix sabotage, and fly out to dig sites to find DNA for the 60 different dinosaurs available. Clare Dearing and Dr Wu are even on hand to give you missions, and you can scoot around to take in the sights in your very own gyrosphere. Mojang clearly has some serious fans of Dino DNA on the team, as this is an absolute love letter to the whole series.
Read our Minecraft review.
3. Prehistoric Kingdom
Developer: Blue Meridian
Platforms: PC (Early Access)
Dinosaur theme park management sims are clearly like buses. You wait 65 million years and then three come along at once in the same list. The 2022 Prehistoric Kingdom is a little different from its contemporaries in that it doesn't discriminate when it comes to extinct creatures. Sure, they've got a T-Rex - they’ve got a T-Rex - but you'll also find the Woolly Mammoth, Woolly Rhino, and the Saber Tooth Tiger ready for placement in your beautifully realized dino zoo.
A lot of work has clearly been put into the animation, and there's also the nice addition of so-called Mini-Exhibits to kit out with vegetation and populate with lesser-known living fossils such as the four-winged Microraptor. It's currently in Early Access and devs Blue Meridian have been clear that this is very much a work in progress, but Prehistoric Kingdom definitely doesn't have us rushing for the helicopters just yet.
2. Paleo Pines
Developer: Italic Pig
Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch
When we talk about the best farming games, people typically think about Stardew Valley or classics where livestock are forgotten in the barn. Well, that's not the case in Paleo Pines. This dinosaur cozy game has you exploring your new home, making friends, taming dinos, and then using your new friends' abilities to farm and progress in the game.
Dinosaurs are active participants in all your activities here, and instead of caging them like some of the games on this list, you work together. It's an adorable concept, made even more wholesome with the cute dinosaur character models on display. So, if you are looking for a relaxed dinosaur gaming experience, Paleo Pines is the pick for you!
1. Yoshi’s Crafted World
Developer: Good-Feel
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
What if you're looking for a dinosaur game where no one is at risk of becoming a Happy Meal on legs? Where no one actually ends up gorily extinct? Well, that's where everyone's favorite green dinosaur can heroically save the day. In gloriously fuzzy form, no less. Yoshi's Crafted World is like an Etsy-flavoured espresso shot of charm as you hunt down the Yoshis who have been nefariously abducted from Craft World by Magikoopa. Not the Yoshis, you cry.
A delightful soundtrack accompanies every bounce and jump here as you explore paper and pipe cleaner-packed levels with a friend or alone. Just like Yoshi's Woolly World before it, this is a gentle platforming adventure packed with cutes and collectibles, and again, just like its predecessor, you're going to spend a long time making sure you've found all of the Poochy Pups hiding in each level. You wouldn't leave them, would you?
Read Yoshi’s Crafted World review.
Look ahead with our list of all the upcoming games on their way. Or, for more toothy monsters, check out our ranking of the best horror games of all time.
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