Theme Hospital

Theme Hospital is a classic isometric management simulation developed by Bullfrog Productions and released for MS-DOS in 1997. As a hospital administrator, the player is tasked with building, expanding, and managing a fully functional medical facility, balancing financial constraints with patient care. The game is presented with a distinctive cartoon aesthetic that contrasts sharply with its surprisingly deep and demanding management mechanics.

Players must design hospital layouts, hire and manage staff, invest in research, and respond to a steady flow of patients suffering from a wide range of fictional and often absurd diseases. Each illness requires specific rooms, equipment, and trained personnel, forcing players to think strategically about space utilization and workflow efficiency. At the same time, morale, reputation, and budget control play a critical role in long-term success.

What sets Theme Hospital apart is its trademark British humor and satirical take on healthcare systems. The game combines accessibility with complexity, making it approachable for newcomers while offering significant depth for experienced strategy players. Even decades after its release, Theme Hospital remains a benchmark title in the management simulation genre and a defining work in Bullfrog Productions’ legacy.