Simcity 3000 Page

RCI zoning was improved to allow for more density variety based on demand, which was driven by available jobs, low taxes, and high land value.

Beyond just laying down pipes and power lines, the game introduced complex waste management. Managing landfill space, incinerators, and recycling centers became a crucial, and often frustrating, part of city management.

SimCity 3000: The Definitive Guide to the Classic City-Builder

In an era of hyper-realistic graphics (looking at you, Cities: Skylines 2 ), there is a meditative quality to the chunky pixels and rigid grid of the late 90s. It forces you to use your imagination.