Monopoly Board Game
Ranked #18,794 in Hobbies, Games & Toys, #325,086 overall
Monopoly Board Game
The monopoly board game is one of the most creative board games ever to be played for well over a century by friends and families worldwide.
It was originally designed to teach people the basics of an economic system in the modern era. Bringing fun and entertainment to many it was recorded in the 1999 guiness book of records as being played by more than 500 million people worldwide.
A true educational board game, monopoly can help, and has contributed to helping lots of people gain knowledge based around the games rules of financial management and business dealings. Here we take a look at the monopoly board game and what it has to offer.
Photo used under Creative Commons from Tostie14
It was originally designed to teach people the basics of an economic system in the modern era. Bringing fun and entertainment to many it was recorded in the 1999 guiness book of records as being played by more than 500 million people worldwide.
A true educational board game, monopoly can help, and has contributed to helping lots of people gain knowledge based around the games rules of financial management and business dealings. Here we take a look at the monopoly board game and what it has to offer.
Photo used under Creative Commons from Tostie14
Contents at a Glance
Monopoly Board Game History
Most people perhaps don't realise that the monopoly board game has actually been around for over a century now, and that this board game has quite a history that leads up to the game we know, enjoy and have today. Here is a look at the history of Monopoly through the years as well as a look at this game in our society today.
The game of Monopoly first had its origins in the game known as The Landlord's Game. This game was created by Lizzie Magie, and she applied for a patent in 1903 for her design.
Lizzie's game was much like today's Monopoly, with the game dealing with rents that helped to make property owners richer along the way. The patent for this game was given in 1904.
The Landlord's game was not made for the public until a couple years later, and Lizzie, along with a couple of other Georgists came up with the Economic Game Company of New York, which was the company that published this game. Later in 1910, Magie would submit this game to Parker Brothers, but they declined publishing the game.
The game of Monopoly first had its origins in the game known as The Landlord's Game. This game was created by Lizzie Magie, and she applied for a patent in 1903 for her design.
Lizzie's game was much like today's Monopoly, with the game dealing with rents that helped to make property owners richer along the way. The patent for this game was given in 1904.
The Landlord's game was not made for the public until a couple years later, and Lizzie, along with a couple of other Georgists came up with the Economic Game Company of New York, which was the company that published this game. Later in 1910, Magie would submit this game to Parker Brothers, but they declined publishing the game.
Monopoly
Amazon Price: $10.90 (as of 02/17/2012)
Release Date: 12/31/1969
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Monopoly Evolves
Later other people interested in this game came up with a version of their own, calling it Monopoly. This game was much like the game that we have today. However, the exact version that Parker Brother's acquired happened to be created by Charles Todd, but it was Charles Darrow that actually sold it to them. There were quite a few people that contributed to the evolution and the design of this game.
John Waddingtong Ltd. Was the licensed manufacturer for the Monopoly game when it came to other places than the United States. The British Secret Service went to the manufacturer in 1941, asking them to create a unique edition of the game. It was an edition that was made for prisoners of war in WWII that were being imprisoned by the Nazis. Within these games there was real money, maps, compasses, and more to help these prisoners escape. It was the International Red Cross that helped to get these games to the prisoners of war to help them escape their imprisonment by the Nazis at this time.
In the 1970s the game was still hugely popular, but the early history of the game was not well known. Most people believed that Charles Darrow alone had created this game. When Professor Ralph Anspach fought against the Parker Brothers and General Mills, their parent company about the game's trademarks, the actual early history was brought to light once again.
It wasn't until the middle of the 1980s that the trademarks for the game were settled upon. The design elements and trademark of the game is still a trademark of the Parker Brothers. However, the Parker Brothers still only acknowledge Charles Darrow and his part in the design of the game. The original version of Monopoly that was first sold by the Parker Brother had a total of 40 spaces, and 28 of those spaces were properties.
John Waddingtong Ltd. Was the licensed manufacturer for the Monopoly game when it came to other places than the United States. The British Secret Service went to the manufacturer in 1941, asking them to create a unique edition of the game. It was an edition that was made for prisoners of war in WWII that were being imprisoned by the Nazis. Within these games there was real money, maps, compasses, and more to help these prisoners escape. It was the International Red Cross that helped to get these games to the prisoners of war to help them escape their imprisonment by the Nazis at this time.
In the 1970s the game was still hugely popular, but the early history of the game was not well known. Most people believed that Charles Darrow alone had created this game. When Professor Ralph Anspach fought against the Parker Brothers and General Mills, their parent company about the game's trademarks, the actual early history was brought to light once again.
It wasn't until the middle of the 1980s that the trademarks for the game were settled upon. The design elements and trademark of the game is still a trademark of the Parker Brothers. However, the Parker Brothers still only acknowledge Charles Darrow and his part in the design of the game. The original version of Monopoly that was first sold by the Parker Brother had a total of 40 spaces, and 28 of those spaces were properties.
Monopoly Edition
Of course over the years there have been many different changes that have occurred to the Monopoly game. There is the United States edition, and there has been a UK edition made, which used different names for the properties. In the past few years, there have been quite a few different variations to this game. In the UK, back in 2005, the Monopoly Here and Now version was first produced, which used properties, tokens, and scenarios that used modern day equivalents. There were similar editions that were also made for the countries of France and Germany. Some of these editions have special Visa debit cards that were used instead of cash for the games as well. Not long later, a special US Electronic Banking edition of the game came out that uses debit cards, but without any brand name on them.
Monopoly 1935: Deluxe Wood Edition
Amazon Price: (as of 02/16/2012)
List Price:
Release Date: 12/31/1969
Monopoly World
Many different world editions have been made as well through the years. The license for the Monopoly game was procured from the Hasbro company by Winning Moves back in 1998. This company used that license to come up with various UK regional and city game editions. Then in 2008 the Hasbro company would release the Monopoly Here and Now: The World Edition to the public, which actually has locations all around the world featured in the game.
Monopoly Here and Now World
Amazon Price: $49.99 (as of 02/16/2012)
List Price: $39.99
Release Date: 08/22/2008
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Simpsons Monopoly
One of the newest and most popular variation games is the Simpsons Monopoly game. The Simpsons has been on the air for more than fifteen years now and it remains everyone's favorite animated series.
This version of monopoly is essentially the same as the standard edition we all know and love only it is has a Simpson's theme, and there is even a story behind it. According to the instructions, the basic plot of the Simpson's Monopoly game is that the infamous Springfield monorail has come to town and residents are rushing to snatch up real estate in town.
Every famous Springfield property, such as the Kwik-E-Mart, Moe's Tavern and even Mr. Burn's Nuclear Power Plant are on the market as players race to collect as many sought after monorail stops and stations as they possibly can.
Just like in the original game, the goal of this version of monopoly is to collect as many property sets as you can and then erect structures on them. The when other players land on them you get to charge them exorbitant rents which you can then use to build even more structures.
The game gives players the option of choosing from eight familiar character tokens, which include: Homer, Bart, Jebediah Springfield (the founder of Springfield), Santa's little helper (the Simpson's dog), Otto the school bus driver, Blinky the three-eyed mutant fish, Kang the Alien and Moe the barkeep. It may surprise many Simpson's fans that Lisa and Marge did not make the cut. But this is one of the few highly questionable decisions in an otherwise great game.
This version of monopoly is essentially the same as the standard edition we all know and love only it is has a Simpson's theme, and there is even a story behind it. According to the instructions, the basic plot of the Simpson's Monopoly game is that the infamous Springfield monorail has come to town and residents are rushing to snatch up real estate in town.
Every famous Springfield property, such as the Kwik-E-Mart, Moe's Tavern and even Mr. Burn's Nuclear Power Plant are on the market as players race to collect as many sought after monorail stops and stations as they possibly can.
Just like in the original game, the goal of this version of monopoly is to collect as many property sets as you can and then erect structures on them. The when other players land on them you get to charge them exorbitant rents which you can then use to build even more structures.
The game gives players the option of choosing from eight familiar character tokens, which include: Homer, Bart, Jebediah Springfield (the founder of Springfield), Santa's little helper (the Simpson's dog), Otto the school bus driver, Blinky the three-eyed mutant fish, Kang the Alien and Moe the barkeep. It may surprise many Simpson's fans that Lisa and Marge did not make the cut. But this is one of the few highly questionable decisions in an otherwise great game.
Usaopoly Simpsons Monopoly
Amazon Price: $34.99 (as of 02/16/2012)
List Price: $39.99
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Monopoly Board Games
In many cases, the original game has been redone and localized for specific cities or for other spin off games as well. There has been Monopoly Junior, published in 1990 for younger kids. Also there have been special U.S. themed games produced, games themed for national parks, Disney theme games, Star Trek games, NASCAR games, Las Vegas games, college games, and more. Other editions have been officially produced by Winning Moves Games and USAopolgy.
Vintage Monopoly
It is easy to see that this game, Monopoly has a rich history. The game has been around in some form for over 100 years now, and it is actually the most successful board game to ever be sold in the United States.
In fact, the game has been sold to millions across the world. It is also considered to be the most played board game out there in the entire world as well.
It has reached the Hall of Fame in Games Magazine as well for the amazing success that the game has had over the years.
Although computer variations of the game have been developed in the past few years, there are still many families that own and play the actual board game, which has resulted in the passing down of this game from generation to generation.
In fact, the game has been sold to millions across the world. It is also considered to be the most played board game out there in the entire world as well.
It has reached the Hall of Fame in Games Magazine as well for the amazing success that the game has had over the years.
Although computer variations of the game have been developed in the past few years, there are still many families that own and play the actual board game, which has resulted in the passing down of this game from generation to generation.
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WindyWinters
Sep 9, 2010 @ 4:21 pm | delete
- My brother's and my son's favorite board game was "Monopoly." I remember it being set up for days. I would love having some of these different versions of "Monopoly." The World Monopoly would be a great family game to take on holidays!
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Jul 24, 2010 @ 3:12 am | delete
- Yes! This is a very educating game for the whole family!
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mulberry
Mar 9, 2010 @ 7:27 pm | delete
- I loved playing this as a kid. I've certainly seen some interesting versions of it since, may need to try it again.
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GramaBarb
Mar 9, 2010 @ 3:02 pm | delete
- Great lens. An all time family favorite.
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shajo
Aug 4, 2009 @ 6:39 pm | delete
- I enjoy playing monopoly but haven't played it in years. Very nice lens about the history of monopoly.
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