Item: ZOOKEEPER DX
Rating: 90
Author: Dinsun

Our Expert Score

90/100

Zookeeper DX is a masterclass in the match-3 genre. While many games have tried to emulate its success, few capture the sheer frantic energy and charm of this classic. The premise is simple: swap animal tiles to create rows of three or more, but the execution is what makes it legendary. The 'Normal' mode provides a satisfying progression, but the real heart of the game lies in 'Tokoton' and the competitive 'Score Attack' modes where every split-second decision counts.

The visual style is iconic, featuring pixelated animal art and a quirky, high-energy presentation that feels like a classic Japanese arcade game. It’s a game of 'just one more round'—you’ll find yourself constantly trying to beat your previous high score or reach a higher level in the endless mode. The touch controls are perfectly calibrated for the iPhone, allowing for high-speed swaps that feel tactile and rewarding. It remains one of the most polished and addictive puzzle games on the App Store.

Dinsun reviewed on: Sun Jun 09 2024

The Game

Available on: iPhone, iPad, iPod

433596395

$0.99 4+★3.7 43 reviews

Author : KITERETSU INC.

Pubish Date : Mon Jun 06 2011

Last Update Date : Tue Oct 21 2025

Support Languages : English

Genres :

Version 2.1.6Tue Oct 21 2025

*** Version 2.1.6 (latest version) ***
- Minor bug fixes
Thank you for playing Zookeeper! Please make sure that you can receive emails from "kiteretsu.jp" domain when you contact our support.
10 million people are playing!
Zoo Keeper, the definitive action puzzle game
finally available for iPhone/iPad/iPod touch!
Aim for it! The Best Opp Zookeeper!
[game description]
This is a simple puzzle game with a simple rule: swap two panels next to each other, and line up three or more panels of the same color to make them disappear.
Touch the animal you want to move and slide it in the direction of the animal you want to replace.
If you line up 3 or more same animals vertically or horizontally, you can catch the animal.
The level is cleared when a quota of animals are caught.
[mode description]
*Normal Mode
Catch more than your quota of animals to clear all levels!
*Tokoton Mode
Level up with 100 animals! This is a challenging mode with unlimited time.
*Score Attack Mode
Try to score as many points as possible in a 3-minute challenge in Fever mode!
You will receive a time extension when you score over 10,000 points and 100,000 points.
*Play Zoo Keeper Online
Play Zoo Keeper online for free!
(Link to App Store "ZOOKEEPER BATTLE".)
[ranking description]
You can participate in the ranking by logging into Game Center and using Leaderboards.
Compete with players around the world for high scores!
[System Requirements]
iOS 11 or later; iPhone 5s or later, iPad 5th generation or later, iPod touch 6th generation or later
Requires iOS 11.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
10 million people are playing!
Zoo Keeper, the definitive action puzzle game
finally available for iPhone/iPad/iPod touch!
Aim for it! The Best Opp Zookeeper!
[game description]
This is a simple puzzle game with a simple rule: swap two panels next to each other, and line up three or more panels of the same color to make them disappear.
Touch the animal you want to move and slide it in the direction of the animal you want to replace.
If you line up 3 or more same animals vertically or horizontally, you can catch the animal.
The level is cleared when a quota of animals are caught.
[mode description]
*Normal Mode
Catch more than your quota of animals to clear all levels!
*Tokoton Mode
Level up with 100 animals! This is a challenging mode with unlimited time.
*Score Attack Mode
Try to score as many points as possible in a 3-minute challenge in Fever mode!
You will receive a time extension when you score over 10,000 points and 100,000 points.
*Play Zoo Keeper Online
Play Zoo Keeper online for free!
(Link to App Store "ZOOKEEPER BATTLE".)
[ranking description]
You can participate in the ranking by logging into Game Center and using Leaderboards.
Compete with players around the world for high scores!
[System Requirements]
iOS 11 or later; iPhone 5s or later, iPad 5th generation or later, iPod touch 6th generation or later

Ratings & Reviews

3.7 out of 5 with 43 Counts

★★★★★

Age Rating 4+

ZOOKEEPER DX is the premium version of the legendary match-3 puzzle game. Players swap adjacent animal tiles to line up three or more of the same species, capturing them to fulfill a level quota. As levels progress, the time limit becomes tighter, requiring faster reflexes and better pattern recognition. DX features high-resolution graphics, Game Center support for global competition, and a variety of modes including 'Tokoton' for an endless challenge and 'Score Attack' for a 3-minute blitz.

Features

Iconic pixel-art graphics

Frantic match-3 arcade gameplay

Global leaderboards via Game Center

Three distinct and deep game modes

Intuitive slide-to-swap controls

Tips

Chaining for Success

To get high scores, don't wait for animations to finish. You can continue swapping animals while others are falling into place. Creating 'Chains' (consecutive matches) is the key to massive point boosts and extending your time limit in the later stages.

Promotion Videos

Official Trailer: ZOOKEEPER BATTLE - KITERETSU INC. - YouTube

Gameplays

Game Modes

Normal Mode tasks you with catching a set number of each animal to progress. Tokoton Mode is an endurance test where you must catch 100 of each animal to level up, while Score Attack is a high-speed sprint to get the highest score in just three minutes.