For most players, the Standard Edition of Planet Zoo 2 ($49.99 on Steam, Epic, PS5 and Xbox) is the right buy: it is the complete game, with every mode, every feature and the full base roster of animals. The Deluxe Edition ($64.99) adds exactly two things, six extra animal species and a set of exclusive animal signs, so the extra $15 is worth it only if you want those six animals: the Golden Eagle, Golden Lion Tamarin, Great Hammerhead, Axolotl, Blue and Gold Fusilier and Longfin Batfish.
Updated October 16, 2026: Planet Zoo 2 is out now, and since launch Steam sells the Deluxe Upgrade Pack separately for $17.99 and the former pre-order Bonus Content Pack for $2.99. That makes the Deluxe Edition still the cheaper way to get the six species if you know you want them. Frontier has released two stability patches since launch and has not announced any new paid DLC.
Below we compare both editions, list what the Deluxe animals are and where they live, explain the pre-order bonus and how to get it now, and cover the physical release. Prices and contents come from Frontier Developments’ official pre-order page, its FAQ and the store listings, checked on October 12, 2026.
Planet Zoo 2 Editions at a Glance
There are two editions, sold digitally on every platform at the same US price. Despite plenty of searches for an Ultimate or Collector’s Edition, neither exists: Frontier sells only these two.
| Edition | US price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $49.99 | The full base game |
| Deluxe | $64.99 | The base game plus the Deluxe Upgrade Pack (6 species and exclusive animal signs) |
Prices in other regions (the UK and Eurozone from Frontier’s suggested prices, Canada and Australia from Steam):
| Region | Standard | Deluxe |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | £39.99 | £54.99 |
| Eurozone | €49.99 | €64.99 |
| Canada (Steam) | CDN$59.99 | CDN$76.99 |
| Australia (Steam) | A$70.50 | A$90.95 |
Console and PC prices are identical, which is not always the case with management games. The game unlocked on every platform at once on October 13; our release time guide has the exact time in your region.
What the Standard Edition Includes
Everything that makes Planet Zoo 2 what it is. The base game has:
- All three modes: Career (a story campaign as the new Conservation Coordinator at FEN, the Fauna and Ecosystems Network), Sandbox and Franchise, plus the Planet Hub that ties your zoos together.
- Every new system: fully aquatic animals in aquariums, flying birds in aviaries, Wildlife Reserves where you release animals into the wild, and dynamic seasons.
- The full base roster. By our count of Frontier’s official Zoopedia and its final reveal list, that is 130 species in the base game.
- All the building tools and themes: four brand-new scenery themes and five returning ones from the original Planet Zoo, ready-made blueprints, and the Frontier Workshop for community creations, which works across platforms.
Nothing in the Deluxe Edition unlocks a mode, a map or a mechanic. If you only buy the Standard Edition, you are not missing any part of the game itself.
What the Deluxe Edition Adds
Frontier describes the Deluxe Edition as the base game bundled with the Deluxe Upgrade Pack. That pack contains:
Six additional species. Frontier’s Zoopedia tags each with a habitat type, which tells you what you need to build for it:
| Species | Habitat type | Home region |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Eagle | Flying (aviary) | Africa, Asia, Europe, North America |
| Golden Lion Tamarin | Terrestrial habitat | South America |
| Great Hammerhead | Aquarium | Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans |
| Longfin Batfish | Aquarium | Indian and Pacific Oceans |
| Blue and Gold Fusilier | Aquarium or exhibit | Indian and Pacific Oceans |
| Axolotl | Exhibit | North America |
The headline additions are the Great Hammerhead, which joins the base game’s Blacktip Reef Shark, Indo-Pacific Leopard Shark and Sand Tiger Shark, and the Golden Eagle, a large raptor for your aviaries. The Zoopedia lists the Axolotl and Great Hammerhead as critically endangered and the Golden Lion Tamarin as endangered, so all three suit a conservation-focused zoo.
Exclusive animal signs. A selection of decorative animal signs you can place as scenery around your zoo. They are cosmetic only.
Can you upgrade later? Yes, on Steam. Since launch day, Steam has sold the Deluxe Upgrade Pack on its own for $17.99, with the same six species and exclusive animal signs. That is $2.99 more than the $15 gap between the two editions, so if you already know you want the animals, the Deluxe Edition is still the cheaper route; the upgrade pack suits Standard owners who change their mind later. On PS5 and Xbox, look in the game’s add-ons on your console store.
The Pre-Order Bonus
Every pre-order of either edition gets the Bonus Content Pack, which contains:
- An exclusive Toucan Eat Shop and its signage
- 3 Unique Animal Donation Bins
- A Tiger Photo Stand-In Wall
Frontier said the pack came with every pre-order “right up until launch time,” which was 10 AM EDT on October 13. Since launch, Steam sells the same items as the Bonus Content Pack for $2.99. Like the Deluxe signs, it is decoration rather than gameplay, so buy it only if you want those pieces for your zoo.
The Physical Edition
Frontier’s FAQ confirms physical disc editions for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, launching on Tuesday, October 20, a week after the digital release, at “all major retailers.” Frontier’s pre-order page shows a physical option only under the Standard Edition; the Deluxe Edition section lists digital stores alone. Frontier lists no physical PC version.
Which Edition You Should Buy
- New to the series or unsure: Standard. It is the whole game, and if it does not run well on your PC, our Steam refund guide covers getting your money back.
- Aquarium and shark fans: Deluxe. Two of its six species are aquarium animals and a third can live in an aquarium or exhibit tank, and the Great Hammerhead is the standout.
- Players who want the biggest roster from the start: Deluxe, which costs $2.99 less than the Standard Edition plus the Deluxe Upgrade Pack.
- Console players who want a disc: Standard physical, which arrives a week after launch.
Beyond the Deluxe Upgrade Pack, the Bonus Content Pack and a $9.99 soundtrack on Steam, Frontier has not announced any paid DLC. Its FAQ said the team was “fully focused on launch,” its final reveal post adds that the game “will continue to grow over time,” and its first two patches since launch have focused on stability and Franchise Mode fixes. For a sense of how Frontier supports its sims after launch, Jurassic World Evolution 3 recently got a paid Prehistoric East pack alongside a free update.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is Planet Zoo 2? The Standard Edition is $49.99, £39.99 or €49.99, and the Deluxe Edition is $64.99, £54.99 or €64.99, on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S alike.
What is in the Planet Zoo 2 Deluxe Edition? The base game plus six species (Golden Eagle, Golden Lion Tamarin, Great Hammerhead, Axolotl, Blue and Gold Fusilier and Longfin Batfish) and a set of exclusive animal signs.
Is there an Ultimate or Collector’s Edition? No. Frontier sells only the Standard and Deluxe Editions.
Can you upgrade from Standard to Deluxe later? Yes, on Steam. The Deluxe Upgrade Pack has been sold separately since launch for $17.99, which makes the Standard Edition plus the upgrade $2.99 more than buying the Deluxe Edition outright.
What is the pre-order bonus? The Bonus Content Pack: a Toucan Eat Shop and signage, 3 Unique Animal Donation Bins and a Tiger Photo Stand-In Wall. It came with any pre-order made before launch, and Steam now sells it separately for $2.99.
Is there a physical version? Yes, the Standard Edition on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, from Tuesday, October 20.