The gates are almost open. Planet Zoo 2 launches on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, at 4pm SAST, according to Frontier’s official release-timing announcement. That is the South African equivalent of the publisher’s 3pm BST launch. If your evening plans involve carefully placing trees around a lion habitat, this is the time to circle.

The South African price is confirmed on PS5

The South African PlayStation Store lists the standard PS5 edition at R949 and the Deluxe Edition at R1,229 when checked on 13 October. These are actual local storefront prices. They apply to the digital PlayStation editions; check your chosen store for its PC or Xbox price.

That is a R280 difference between the two PS5 editions. The Deluxe package includes the Deluxe Upgrade Pack, while the current preorder listings also include the Bonus Content Pack. Frontier’s Steam listing describes the Deluxe upgrade as six additional animal species and decorative animal signs. For buyers deciding between them, the useful question is whether those extras matter to the zoo you want to build.

Steam preload: downloading is not the same as playing

Frontier confirmed Steam preloading for people who pre-purchased, targeting 3pm BST on 12 October, or 4pm SAST. That download window sits a day before the announced launch. The preload announcement does not promise early access to the game.

If you have already bought it on Steam, check your Library for the download option before planning your first session. Even with the files ready, leave a little room in your evening for the final unlock and any update the client presents. A launch time is a useful starting point for planning; it is not a guarantee that every PC will be ready to play at that exact minute.

What changes in the sequel?

Frontier’s Steam store description puts fully aquatic animals, freely flying birds and customisable Wildlife Reserves at the centre of the sequel. Aquariums and aviaries expand the habitat options, while reserves take conservation beyond the boundaries of your zoo.

The PlayStation listing also confirms Career, Franchise and Sandbox modes, alongside access to player creations through Frontier Workshop. There is a choice here between following structured objectives, building an interconnected zoo operation and simply experimenting with a design. Pick the mode that fits how you enjoy management games rather than treating every new feature as something to master on night one.

Check your PC before clearing the evening

Steam lists 16GB RAM and 40GB of available storage for both minimum and recommended configurations. Minimum graphics include an RTX 2060, Radeon RX 5600 XT or Intel Arc A750; recommended options include an RTX 3070, RX 6700 XT or Arc A770. An SSD is recommended at minimum and required for the recommended specification.

Compare the complete CPU and graphics requirements with your machine before buying. The verified local PS5 listing gives console shoppers a clear rand price, while PC players have a published specification to work from. Now comes the difficult bit: deciding which habitat gets built first.

Sources

Frontier: release time and Steam preload · Planet Zoo 2 on Steam · South African PlayStation Store. Prices and listings checked 13 October 2026.