Putting a new twist on the classic Monopoly may just create a new generation of Monopoly players. And that’s the idea behind Monopoly Revolution.
What’s the most common complaint about the classic game? In most households it’s that the game simply takes too long to play. A single 4-player game can seemingly go on forever. That’s not the case with Monopoly Revolution. The changes are slight, but they speed up the game dramatically.
So let’s take a look at how this new game differs from the classic version. Naturally any game like this one that is released to celebrate an anniversary of a game will have some changes. And this game is celebrating 75 years of Monopoly. The first thing you’ll notice is the game board. It’s no longer square, it’s round. The thought here is that it will make it easier and nicer to play for gamers sitting around a table.
The board is divided into four zones. Community Chest and Chance cards are now combined, adding an extra dimension and new twist to the game. When you land on a zone space you have two choices. The first is to give everyone else in that zone a Chance, or you can put the property up for auction by moving to the next property that is not occupied. If not more properties are unowned, you can force a deal. For instance you may swap a property.
You’ll also notice that the prices on the properties have changed. They’ve been increased and updated in an effort to reflect current values. Whenever you land on an unoccupied property you can buy it yourself or you can auction it off. You can also swap properties. These changes alone will speed up the game a lot.
The silver pieces that you have become accustomed to have also been changed. The silver top hat and car are gone, replaced by plastic pieces. The shapes now are a hat, sohe, iron, dog, car and ship.
But the biggest change is that the cash is now gone. The famous Monopoly money has given way to a debit card. Of course you still need to keep a careful watch on your finances lest you end up bankrput. This getting rid of the cash is probably the most controversial of all the changes. In fact, a lot of people simply don’t like it. Monopoly money is a tradition, and parents loved the way it had educational value for their children, adding them in learning basic math skills. Counting and keeping track of the money was part of the charm of the traditional game.
In Monopoly Revolution there is a central hub that helps you keep track of your available cash. You simply swipe your debit card to pay for any transaction. Each transaction is accompanied by sounds and music. That of course means you’ll need batteries. The 3 AA batteries needed are not included. But the sounds themselves are a nice addition. For instance when you land in jail you’ll hear a door slamming. Nice! As for whether this new game is better than the tradition version, the jury is currently split. But if you want a faster game for family game night, this is definitely the way to go.
Certainly, unless you’ve been living in a cave, there’s no reason to explain what the Monopoly board game is. So we will only give you a brief history. There has been some argument over the origins of the game of Monopoly. Tradition holds that it was Charles Darrow who made the game in 1935, during the height of the Great Depressoin., however earlier variations are known to exist. But what matters now is not how the game got started but the fact that it remains one of the best selling games in the United States. It is estimated that 500,000,000 have played this game that never seems to lose it’s appeal.
The classic game remains as popular as ever, but Hasbro has offered up some great variations as well. This is where Beatles Monopoly comes in. For lovers of the Fab Four, this is the ultimate way to play the game. But the variations are not limited but in fact they are numerous. There is a Disney version, a Transformers version, a Pixar version, even versions for the Littlest Pet Shop and Star Wars. But it doesn’t stop there. You’ve probably seen the game featuring your favorite College or University. There’s Lord of the Rings, SpongeBob SquarePants, Pokemon, Coca-Cola and much more.
All those games are played with the standard rules, but Hasbro has introduced editions that add new elements. In monopoly City you can build factories, schools or stadiums on your property, but your opponents can place a sewage plant next door thereby drastically reducing the value. The world edition let’s you build skyscrapers and malls instead of houses and hotels. The Monopoly universe continues to expand.
Another thing that can make Monopoly fun are house rules. These are unofficial rules, and are a common feature of play at the non-tournament level. Getting money when you land on free parking, not auctioning off properties that aren’t bought on the first pass, or adding “depots” and “stations” to the railroads are a few examples. The official rules are fun, yet you can change them to make the game more exciting for your family. The game is extremely flexible.
It does, of course, take a while to play, but that’s just part of the fun. What a great way for the family to spend quality time together for the night.
And the game is no longer limited to a board and dice. The Monopoly Electronic Banking Edition replaces all cash transactions with debit cards! Monopoly Slots Pocket Pogo Game is a handheld slot machine game that goes wherever you go. There are also versions for the Wii, PS3 and XBox 360, as well as ones for your iPod and iPhone.
Why is the game still so popular? Well there are several reasons. Every game is different. There’s an element of luck that plays a part in every game. Sure you want to get Boardwalk and Park Place (standard edition), but without luck of some great negotiating skills, it rarely happens. That sums it up. The game requires both luck and skill in negotiating a good deal, which when you think about it, is not too far removed from basic business in life. You can’t win if you don’t know how to save money, make a deal, or recognize an opportunity.
So do not pass go and don’t collect $200. You can pick up either the classic version or one of the special themed editions this holiday season and have a great evening with your family or friends. We like Beatles Monopoly, but if it’s not for you, there is surely a version your entire family will love.
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