Buying guide for best monopoly games
Plenty of new games are appearing on the market that are great for family game night. Games like Exploding Kittens and Cards Against Humanity are fresh and fun. But when you want to go with a classic board game, it’s impossible to beat Monopoly.
These days there are so many versions of Monopoly that you’re sure to find a favorite. But so many choices may also feel overwhelming.
Our guide will help you understand your options so you can pick the best Monopoly game for your next night in.
Playing Monopoly
Standard Monopoly is a board game focusing on property ownership. Players purchase properties and then charge other players rent when they land on their properties. The player who finishes with the most money wins the game.
Players roll the dice and then move a token around the board. Each of the 40 spaces on the board triggers a specific action. You’ll continue making loops around the board until the game is completed.
One aspect of Monopoly that some people like is that it’s not a timed game. With evenly matched players, a single game can last a few hours or more. However, if you want to speed up the gameplay, rules exist for timed games or shortened games.
Monopoly can be a difficult game for younger players to learn. They need to be able to count money, read, and think strategically. Parents certainly can help younger players work through the game strategy as they’re playing, though.
Key considerations
The main thing you’ll need to consider when buying a Monopoly game is which version you prefer.
Classic version
In the traditional version of Monopoly, the property names never change. Groups of properties have the traditional coordinating colors, too. The tokens you know and love are included in the classic version. Whether your family likes fighting over who plays with the dog or top hat, a classic version of Monopoly will be just like the game you played as a kid.
Electronic versions
Monopoly is available in several different electronic versions. You can find Monopoly video games for platforms like PlayStation, Nintendo, Windows, Apple, and Xbox.
Monopoly apps are offered for iOS and Android, too. These apps offer multiple off-shoot games that build on a character or aspect of Monopoly. Or you can play the traditional game in app form.
Variations
Many variations on the Monopoly board game exist. A high percentage of these variations have a game format similar to the classic game. The difference is usually in the tokens and property names. For example, in the Star Wars version of Monopoly, you’ll choose to be on the Rebel or Empire side. You’ll then try to conquer planets and build bases instead of buying properties and building hotels. Some of these versions have special rules, tokens, money styles, or game spaces that also stick to the theme.
Some popular variations on Monopoly include themes like Game of Thrones Monopoly, Disney Monopoly, Fortnite Monopoly, Pokémon Monopoly, The Simpsons Monopoly, Transformers Monopoly, and Elvis Monopoly.
Did you know?
Commercial versions of the Monopoly game sold for about $2 in the 1930s.
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Price
Depending on the version you select, Monopoly games have quite a range of price points.
Simple versions of the Monopoly game aimed at young children may cost as little as $15. You can expect to pay $15 to $35 for classic versions of Monopoly. Some special or collectible classic editions may cost anywhere from $25 to $100.
When purchasing special versions of Monopoly that feature a brand or theme, you can pay anywhere from $15 to $75. Many of these versions will appeal to kids, but they are often more expensive than traditional versions.
Some versions of Monopoly are made of high-end materials like wood or metal. These games can cost as much as $250, and they’re designed as collectibles.
Tips
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Watch the age range. Monopoly games are usually recommended for ages eight and up. However, there’s a junior edition for kids as young as five. Some specialty versions have characters in them who may not be suitable for children, though. These games may be recommended for teenagers or adults only.
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Come up with some house rules. One way to make Monopoly more fun is to incorporate some house rules. These allow you to personalize the game. Be creative and have fun with your house rules.
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Don’t be afraid to spend. Monopoly experts say spending money and buying properties early and often is the key to winning. The more properties you have, the better position you’re in to make trades later.
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Going to jail can be a strategy. Late in the game, when it’s expensive to land on properties, being in jail can be advantageous. Other players can land on your properties and pay you rent. But you’ll avoid paying big rent bills by staying in jail as long as possible.
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Buy the orange properties. In the classic game, the orange properties on the second leg of the board are the most advantageous to hold. People will land on this group of properties more frequently than others. This occurs because people leaving jail often hit these properties.
- Create your own game. If you have an idea for a Monopoly version, it’s easy enough to build your own. You can hand-draw property cards and a game board. Or to really simplify things, use Post-it notes to cover the game spaces on a traditional board with your own property names. Some people like to create games for their neighborhoods, favorite vacation spots, or favorite animals.
Other products we considered
According to the Monopoly Wiki page, more than 1,300 versions of the game exist. In addition to the five versions listed in our matrix, we’ve picked a few more excellent versions you will want to try. The Monopoly Speed Die Edition includes a special die that helps speed up gameplay. It has some new tokens aimed at children, too. Another fun twist on the game is Monopoly Mega Edition. It has faster gameplay, a bigger game board, and bigger financial amounts. For the classic feel, consider the Monopoly Game 80th Anniversary Edition. It includes classic tokens from the 1930s through the 2000s. If you’re a fan of the Monopoly tokens, you’ll receive 64 different tokens in the Monopoly Signature Token Collection Edition. It also has a game board and everything else you need to play.
FAQ
Q. How do I know which tokens I’m receiving when I buy a Monopoly game?
A. Most versions of Monopoly will have a list of tokens printed on the game box. You can also sometimes buy extra tokens separately.
Q. Can young kids have fun with Monopoly? Or will they just get bored?
A. The recommended minimum age for nearly all Monopoly games is eight. However, some kids won’t be ready for this game by that age. If you’re afraid your children will become bored, pick a Monopoly version with fun characters they will recognize. Versions with fast gameplay rules can be nice for small children. Or consider the junior edition, which is for ages five and up, as an introduction to the game.
Q. Are Monopoly games collectible?
A. Some versions have a collectible angle. However, because there is such a large number of different Monopoly games in circulation, don’t expect them to soar in value. Even original Monopoly games from the 1930s often don’t have a significant value without being in perfect condition. Roughly 75,000 to 100,000 Monopoly games were printed annually in the 1930s, so a lot of copies are still in play.
Q. What are Monopoly house rules?
A. House rules are slight variations on the official game rules. These aren’t official rules, but people develop them while playing the game over time. Something like having to complete a lap before you can buy a property would be a house rule. With Monopoly, you’ll want to spell out any house rules before starting to play, as these unofficial rules can lead to arguments.
