Planet Zoo 2 release date, unlock time and editions
Everything confirmed for launch day: the date, what unlocks when, what the Deluxe Edition adds, and what the pre-purchase bonus is actually worth.
Release date and unlock timing
| What | Detail |
|---|---|
| Release date | October 13, 2026 |
| Platforms | PC (Steam and Epic Games Store), PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S — all on October 13. No Switch 2 or last-gen version. |
| Unlock time | Confirmed: 15:00 BST on October 13, 2026 — 07:00 Pacific, 10:00 Eastern, 16:00 Central Europe, 22:00 Beijing, and 01:00 on October 14 in Sydney. One global unlock rather than a rolling midnight rollout, so Western Europe and the Americas get it during the day and Australia gets it just after midnight. |
| Pre-load | Yes, on Steam. Frontier says pre-purchasers can pre-load the game on Steam from 15:00 BST on October 12, 2026 — roughly 24 hours before launch. Expect a ~40 GB download, so starting early is worth it. |
| Developer / publisher | Frontier Developments |
| Physical edition | Disc versions follow a week later, on October 20, 2026, for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. |
| Store page | Planet Zoo 2 on Steam |
Editions compared
| Edition | Price (US) | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Planet Zoo 2 | $49.99 | Base game with 124 of the 130 animals in the launch Zoopedia. |
| Deluxe Edition | $64.99 | Base game + Deluxe Upgrade Pack: 6 extra species plus exclusive animal signs. |
| Pre-purchase bonus (either edition, before launch) | — | Bonus Content Pack at launch: Toucan Eat Shop and signage, 3 unique animal donation bins, Tiger photo stand-in wall. |
Which six animals are Deluxe-only?
| Animal | Biome | Enclosure | Class |
|---|
If you want a complete zoo roster, the Deluxe upgrade is the only way to get these six — and at $15 it is cheaper per animal than any single pack in the first game.
What launch day looks like
Release day checklist
1. Check your hardware first
An RTX 2060-class GPU is the official floor. Run the numbers on our system requirements page before you buy.
2. Claim the pre-purchase pack
The Bonus Content Pack is granted automatically on purchase, but only for orders placed before October 13.
3. Decide on Deluxe before you play
Upgrading later costs more than the $15 gap, so pick the edition before launch if you care about the roster.
4. Plan your first habitat
Browse the animal database and pick species that share a biome — it keeps your first zoo cheap.
FAQ
When does Planet Zoo 2 come out?
Planet Zoo 2 launches on October 13, 2026 for PC (Steam and Epic), PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Frontier has confirmed the date on the official store pages.
What time does Planet Zoo 2 unlock?
Frontier has now confirmed it: the game goes live at <strong>15:00 BST on October 13, 2026</strong>. That is 07:00 Pacific, 10:00 Eastern, 16:00 Central Europe and 22:00 in Beijing on the same day, and October 14 at 01:00 in Sydney. It is a single global unlock, not a rolling midnight rollout.
How much is Planet Zoo 2?
The base game is $49.99 / ¥200 on Steam. The Deluxe Edition is $64.99 and bundles the base game with the Deluxe Upgrade Pack.
Does the Deluxe Edition include extra animals?
Yes. The Deluxe Upgrade Pack adds 6 species the base game does not include, plus a set of exclusive animal signs. Everything else ships in the base game.
What do I get for pre-purchasing?
Pre-purchasing grants the Bonus Content Pack at launch: a Toucan Eat Shop and signage, 3 unique animal donation bins, and a Tiger photo stand-in wall.
Is Planet Zoo 2 coming to PS5, Xbox or Switch 2?
PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, yes — same day as PC. There is no Switch or Switch 2 version and no last-gen version; Frontier says there are no plans for either.
Is Planet Zoo 2 Steam Deck Verified?
Frontier has been tuning the game for the Steam Deck and the game ships with full controller support, but check the Steam store page on launch day for the final Verified / Playable badge.