Start with Slime Rancher if you want Beatrix’s first adventure or care about following the story in order. Choose Slime Rancher 2 if Rainbow Island and its newer slimes appeal more, or if it is the one available on your platform. The sequel continues Beatrix’s story, but the official descriptions do not say you must finish the first game before playing it.
What’s different between the two games?
Both are relaxed, exploratory ranching games built around collecting slimes and resources. Monomi Park describes the original as a first-person sandbox focused on using a vacpack to collect slimes, grow crops, harvest resources, and explore the Far, Far Range.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Slime Rancher 2 - PlayStation 5 | $34.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Slime Rancher: Plortable Edition - Switch | $46.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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iam8bit Slime Rancher 2 - Xbox | $44.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Rhode Island Novelty 3.5" Game Controller Slime 12pc | $12.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Slime Rancher 2 Original Game Soundtrack, 3LP Color Vinyl Pink/Green/Blue Swirl | $145.00 | Buy on Amazon |
Slime Rancher 2 continues Beatrix’s story in a new setting, Rainbow Island. Its Steam description highlights new slime types, a conservatory, resource gathering, vacpack upgrades, gadgets, and ranch expansion. That makes the sequel a new place to explore rather than simply another version of the first game’s setting.
Which one should you play first?
Choose Slime Rancher for Beatrix’s first adventure
If you are new to the series and want the story in sequence, play the original first. It introduces Beatrix’s ranching adventure on the Far, Far Range and gives you the original form of the collection-and-ranching loop.
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- Explore a Vibrant New World - Continue the slime ranching adventures of Beatrix LeBeau as she journeys to a mysterious rainbow-hued island.
- Discover Wiggly New Slimes - Collect slimes never seen before on the Far, Far Range, like the bouncy cotton slime or the aquatic angler slime.
- Build a Conservatory on Rainbow Island - Earn newbucks from slime plots and collect resources on Rainbow Island to upgrade your vacpack, build new gadgets, and expand your conservatory.
- Bonus Items - Includes a 18” x 24” fold-out poster featuring artwork drawn by Yusuke Naora, former art director for several critically acclaimed Final Fantasy titles, Code Age titles, and Chrono Trigger. Also includes a digital download code for the official soundtrack.
- In-Game Text Languages – English, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese(Brazilian), Russian, Simplified Chinese, and Spanish (LATAM)
Choose Slime Rancher 2 for Rainbow Island
If the sequel’s setting, new slime types, and conservatory are what interest you, you can start there. The official descriptions frame it as a continuation, but do not establish the first game as a required prerequisite.
Check platform availability before deciding
Your device may make the decision for you. Monomi Park’s game page identifies a Nintendo Switch version of the original, titled Slime Rancher: Plortable Edition, which includes the Secret Style Pack. The developer announced Android and iOS versions in May 2026, featuring a revamped interface, Secret Styles DLC, cloud saves, and MFi controller compatibility.
Rank #2
- Slime Rancher: Plortable Edition
Slime Rancher 2 is listed for PC (Steam, Microsoft Store, and Epic), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. Monomi Park’s support page, updated March 17, 2026, also lists Microsoft Cloud Gaming. Check the current store listing for your region and device before buying.
Is Slime Rancher 2 out of Early Access?
Steam lists Slime Rancher 2 as fully released on September 23, 2025, following Early Access that began September 22, 2022. The PlayStation 5 page still labels it Early Access, which conflicts with Steam’s dated release information and appears out of date. For the release date, the dated Steam listing is the clearer source.
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Rank #3
- All pre-orders will receive a digital download code for the official soundtrack
- Explore a Vibrant New World: Continue the slime ranching adventures of as she journeys to a mysterious rainbow-hued island
- Discover Wiggly New Slimes: Collect slimes never seen before on the Far, Far Range, like the bouncy cotton slime or the aquatic angler slime
- Build a Conservatory on Rainbow Island: Earn newbucks from slime plots and collect resources on Rainbow Island to upgrade your vacpack, build new gadgets, and expand your conservatory
- Includes a 46 cm x 61 cm (18” x 24”) fold-out poster featuring artwork drawn by Yusuke Naora, former art director for several critically acclaimed Final Fantasy titles, Code Age titles, and Chrono Trigger
Is one game objectively better?
The available official descriptions establish different settings and features, not a definitive winner for content depth, performance, or overall quality. Choose based on whether you want the first adventure or Rainbow Island, and which game is available on your platform. Monomi Park’s press page reports 17.5 million copies sold across platforms, but does not date that figure; separately, the developer reported more than 19 million players worldwide in 2024. Those figures show the original’s reach, but do not compare the two games or predict which you will enjoy more.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- EXCLUSIVE VINYL: Triple LP set featuring the complete Slime Rancher 2 original game soundtrack composed by Harry Mack
- COLORFUL PRESSING: Three stunning colored vinyl records in pink, green, and blue swirl patterns matching the game's vibrant aesthetic
- COLLECTOR'S ITEM: Premium packaging with beautiful artwork showcasing the colorful world and characters from the game
- AUDIO QUALITY: High-fidelity pressing ensures superior sound reproduction of the game's memorable musical score
- PRESENTATION: Includes full-size album artwork featuring the iconic underwater scene and fantasy landscape from the game
Rank #4
- 3.5" Game Controller Slime Each with gooey green slime in controller shaped container Gooey gamer fun! Sold by the display 12 pieces per display box Ages 3+
Official details
- Monomi Park’s Slime Rancher page describes the original and its platforms.
- Monomi Park’s press page provides the developer’s reported player and sales figures.
- Monomi Park’s May 2026 mobile announcement covers the Android and iOS versions.
- Slime Rancher 2 on Steam lists its release date and features.
- Slime Rancher 2 on PlayStation shows the Early Access label that conflicts with Steam’s release metadata.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
