Monopoly Versionen

[Brian Bezdicek]

Firstconceptualized in 1903, Monopoly is one of the most popular and well-known board games of all time. It's been played all around the world in over 30 different languages. Although the modern iteration has strayed a bit far from the original concept, which was a harsh criticism of capitalism, the game has nonetheless persevered throughout history with literally hundreds of versions created.

Almost everyone will have come across an alternate version of Monopoly, whether it be an anniversary edition or one of the many, many themed copies that range from The Simpsons to Attack On Titan. Each of those dozens of Monopoly versions has different rules and parameters. Typically, the themed versions stick to the classic rules of Monopoly, but there are some great alternates available that spice up gameplay and can make for a very interesting board game night.

Updated July 10, 2024 by Alexandra O'Leary: Why is it that Monopoly has stayed so relevant and adaptable? The standard rules of Monopoly are incredibly easy to mold to various topics. Changing Illinois Avenue into The Simpsons' Springfield Street, or the Buffalo Bills, doesn't really impact how the game is played, which allows Hasbro to churn out hundreds of different editions with relative ease.

But sometimes players are looking for a fresh set of rules and a new take on an old classic. After all, there's only so many times one can play the same game over and over without it feeling stale. Luckily, Monopoly doesn't fall short in this department either, and there are plenty of versions that introduce brand-new boards and mechanics to keep even the most reluctant Monopoly player entertained.

Monopoly Hotels is a compact take on classic Monopoly with a focus on building upwards. Each player has their own hotel and takes turns building floors and executing different tasks to make money and grow their business. It's a card-based game in which each player begins with five cards, which they can play throughout the game to either help themselves or sabotage their competitor.

The winner is the first person to build five floors with rooms, but it's not as easy as it sounds. Players can add rooms to make money and put celebrities on their floors to improve their hotel. However, players can also place bills on their opponent's floors to stop them from collecting rent, demolishing their floors, and sabotaging them with negative events like floods and rats. It's a fun, more streamlined, and easy-to-learn version of Monopoly with a little more direct PvP than the classic board game.

Monopoly Junior Edition is a variation of Monopoly with fewer rules and adjustments that make the game easier to understand and play. As the name might suggest, this version is aimed at younger players and, therefore, doesn't have all the confusing mechanics of a classic Monopoly game.

Some things different in this version are property (or amusements in this edition), auctions, lower money/costs, and a smaller board, to make the game quicker and simpler. There are adjustments to the board as well, and it is set in a theme park rather than the classic Monopoly board. As a junior version, it executes its task very well and is much easier to play, but adults looking to switch up their Monopoly nights might find it lacking.

Monopoly Here and Now: The World Edition is a fun take on modern Monopoly with a wider scope and updated mechanics. Before release, people around the world voted for what cities they wanted to appear on the board, and the top ones replaced the typical spaces. The likes of New York, Shanghai, and Tokyo can be found on this board, updating it to match the modern world.

Another change is the money system, which removes physical cash and replaces it with an electronic banking system where players use cards to track their cash. It also features updated Community Chest and Chance cards, making it a great change for those tired of classic Monopoly without changing the entire game.

Monopoly Empire is a version of Monopoly that not only changes the goal of the game but substantially changes the rules of play. In Monopoly Empire, players try to collect billboards to fill their tower, rather than collecting properties or houses/hotels.

The first player to fill their tower wins the game, and the rules state that nobody can go bankrupt. Since the ability to trade is nonexistent, swapping billboards can be forced by pulling certain cards, and there's a little less PvP strategy to be applied as a result. Monopoly Empire is still a fun take on the classic board game, but players might find it lacks some of the challenge and excitement that others can offer.

Players should forget everything they know before cracking open their copy of Anti-Monopoly. This reverse version of Monopoly was created by Professor Ralph Anspach, and after the Parker Brothers attempted to sue him for the use of "Monopoly" in the title, was the main reason it was uncovered that the entire concept of Monopoly was based on Elizabeth Magie's The Landlord's Game - originally intended to be a scathing criticism of monopoly tactics.

In Anti-Monopoly, the game opens with all spaces on the board already monopolized - each section owned by "company cartels," as the game calls them. Players go around trying to bust these various cartels and end their monopolizing ways once and for all, and collecting social credit. This version of Monopoly is rare and hard to find, particularly as a second version, also named Anti-Monopoly, was released in 1987 with a completely different set of rules - just to make it extra confusing.

As its name might suggest, Monopoly Millionaire has one goal: be the first to make a million bucks. This is reflected on the board, with two fewer spaces than a standard Monopoly board and brand-new Millionaire Lifestyle spaces instead of Community Chest cards.

Another big change is that every property now comes with a Fortune card, which can randomly impact both individual players and the game on a wider scale. Monopoly Millionaire can easily move faster than classic Monopoly since it emphasizes collecting the most money as soon as possible, and instead of waiting for all players to be eliminated, one player can win the whole game by becoming a millionaire.

If players are looking for something totally the opposite of Monopoly Junior Edition, then Monopoly: The Mega Edition can answer the call. This iteration of Monopoly features more dice, more money, and a bigger board with thirteen spaces on each side instead of ten. It's called The Mega Edition for a reason, and players will find themselves able to do everything - like moving, buying, and winning - just a little bit faster.

The main differences in this edition are the Bus Ticket cards, which exist in addition to Chance and Community Chest cards. Players can also build a Skyscraper on a property, or build a Train Depot on any owned railways - making them a much more lucrative purchase than before. The Mega Edition is like Monopoly with all the sliders turned up, and is a great challenge for seasoned players.

Monopoly: Longest Game Ever is a self-explanatory iteration of the classic Monopoly board game. This version has a board more than double the size of the original, and only one die, which means players move slower and have twice the amount of ground to cover (although there are fewer unique properties in this version). It's safe to say, this version is not for the faint of heart - or those with short attention spans.

Some other changes in this version include the lack of auctions, which means that any properties a player doesn't wish to buy remain unowned until somebody else purchases them. The biggest, and likely most controversial change, is that players can steal properties. If a player pays the full rent for a property, they can opt to pay only $10 more to forcefully take ownership of the property. The only way to win is to have one player own all the properties on the board.

Most players will be able to see that this version of Monopoly is no easy feat, and could take a very long time to finish. The new rules and variations make it fun and competitive, though, and it's a great choice for a multi-session playthrough.

Monopoly Knockout is a more physical take on classic Monopoly, combining shuffleboard with the iconic property game. Players can either join forces in a team or go it alone, taking turns to slide their color-coded board pieces along the various spots on the board.

Players can land on lots of different spaces which range from going to prison to collecting rent, to winning all the cash in free parking. The catch is that the round isn't over until everyone's had their turn. Even if one player lands on Park Place, they have to pray no other player knocks their piece onto a different spot before the round ends. This adds a layer of healthy competitiveness and lets players have a more direct impact on their opponents.

Monopoly: Tropical Tycoon is a fresh and creative take on the Monopoly game, which keeps the core values of the game, but switches up play quite a bit. The setting of Tropical Tycoon is a beautiful vacation island where players can build beach houses, resorts, parks, restaurants, casinos, and piers on various properties to make money. At the end of the game, all money is converted to fortune tokens, which dictate who wins the game.

One of the biggest changes in this version of Monopoly is the DVD companion, which begins by explaining the game and then acts as a key game element. One of the dice in Tropical Tycoon has a DVD symbol on it, and when rolled, players must play the DVD, which acts as a News Broadcast. Like Chance and Community Chest cards, these News Broadcasts trigger a random event. Additionally, players each choose a Job at the beginning of the game, which grants them a specific perk that can be useful throughout the game. While all these new mechanics might sound like a lot, they help the game feel more exciting and eventful, and those who find OG Monopoly a little stale will appreciate the additions.

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