Summary

  • Monopoly has a rich history dating back over a hundred years, with changes introduced by Parker Brothers and later Hasbro.
  • Different editions of Monopoly, based on popular franchises like Parks & Recreation and The Witcher, offer unique gameplay experiences.
  • From classic Disney characters to video game-inspired versions, Monopoly continues to evolve with various adaptations for fans to enjoy.

Monopoly has become one of the most popular board games in the world, sparking many a rowdy and entertaining evening, whether it's game night or family time. The game has a venerable history too, dating back more than a hundred years. Invented by American game designer Lizzie Magie in the late 1800s, it was patented in 1904 with the general idea based on buying up properties and collecting rent from anyone who landed on them.

The game went through some minor changes after the Parker Brothers acquired it from Charles Darrow in 1935, while the Monopoly we know and love today came into existence after it was bought out by Hasbro in the 1990s. Since then, there have been dozens upon dozens of tie-ins with famous franchises, and below you'll find some of the best editions of Monopoly to have come out.

Updated on March 11, 2024, by Vaspaan Dastoor: Monopoly is a timeless board game. Its simple rules make it a great way for parents to introduce their kids to board games, and that is further amplified by the sheer number of editions of the game. If there's any IP that you like, there's probably a Monopoly edition based on it. We've added a few more editions to this list.

  • Monopoly: Parks & Recreation Edition

    Best Comedy Adaptation $40 at Walmart
  • via Amazon

    The Super Mario Bros. Movie Monopoly

    Best Movie Adaptation $22 at Amazon
  • via Amazon

    The Witcher Monopoly

    Best Video Game Adaptation $50 at Amazon

  • Monopoly: The Lord of the Rings Edition Board Game

    Best Custom Gameplay Feature See at Amazon

  • Monopoly The Simpsons Board Game

    Best TV Show Edition See at Amazon
  • See More

  • Monopoly Game: Star Wars Edition

    Most Unique Board $47 at Amazon

  • Monopoly Disney Edition

    Best Throwback Edition $110 at Walmart

  • Monopoly Gamer

    Best Custom Rules $30 at Walmart

  • Monopoly Luxury Edition

    Best High-End Pick $280 at Walmart

  • Monopoly: Cheaters Edition

    Best Unique Mechanic $17 at Walmart

  • Monopoly: Pokemon Kanto Edition

    Best Adaptation $63 at Walmart

  • Squishmallows Monopoly

    Best Kids' Version $39 at Walmart

  • Monopoly: Dune

    Best Artwork $40 at Walmart

Best Monopoly Editions

Best Comedy Adaptation

Monopoly: Parks & Recreation Edition

There is only one bad word: taxes.

Experience 'Parks & Recreation' like never before with MONOPOLY: Parks & Recreation Edition. Buy, sell, trade show locations, and enjoy custom tokens!

Pros & Cons
  • Unique 'Parks & Recreation' theme adds fun twist.
  • Collectible tokens like Little Sebastian, Duke?s Saxophone.
  • Engaging for both fans and board game enthusiasts.
  • Requires familiarity with the show if you want the complete experience.
See at Amazon $40 at Walmart

Folks, this game right here is a damn love letter to fans of the beloved sitcom, transforming the familiar Monopoly format into a delightful homage to the iconic show's locations and characters. You can tell right away that the company put in a lot of attention to detail, giving us custom tokens like Li'l Sebastian and properties like Ron's Parks Department. The game's duration also mirrors classic Monopoly, which means that it can stretch out for quite some time, making it perfect for those leisurely game nights, but a little too lengthy for players looking for a quick board game fix.

Best Movie Adaptation

The Super Mario Bros. Movie Monopoly

$1.3 Billion Of Board Game

The Super Mario Bros. Movie's take on the world's most famous board game keeps the base rules of Monopoly but adds warp pipes to help you get around the board and a Bowser who chases players down.

Pros & Cons
  • Game pieces inspired by items from the movie
  • Bends the Monopoly rules in very cool Mario ways
  • Gets price reductions pretty regularly
  • Traditional Monopoly players won't like those warp pipes
$22 at Amazon $17 at Target $22 at Walmart

Nintendo clearly knew The Super Mario Bros. Movie was going to be a big deal as it really didn't take long for this Monopoly adaptation of the $1 billion box office hit to reach store shelves. A very cool take on the Monopoly rules as not only will Bowser chase players around the board as they try to go about their play, but you can also hop into a warp pipe and pop out anywhere you like between it and the next pipe. The perfect Monopoly hybrid for parents who want to play their iconic board game with their kids.

Best Video Game Adaptation

The Witcher Monopoly

Toss A Coin To Your Rival

The Witcher's Monopoly adaptation pulls inspiration from the video games rather than the books or the TV show. Replacing properties with monsters players will need to capture, it's a terrific way to load as much of the series' details into a limited edition Monopoly set as possible.

Pros & Cons
  • Adaptation of the games, not the show
  • Hunting monsters is way cooler than buying properties
  • Hard to find so slightly more expensive than other sets
$50 at Amazon $50 at Walmart

Don't panic, while there's an alternative version of Monopoly that adapts the TV show version of The Witcher, I have chosen to go with the video game version. I don't want to cause any sort of uproar in a buyer's guide. I also truly believe this is the better version too as it has far more Witcher lore to pull from. Incredibly cool game pieces inspired by items from the games, and various monsters to catch in place of properties to buy. A must-have for any board game-playing Witcher fan.

Best Custom Gameplay Feature

Monopoly: The Lord of the Rings Edition Board Game

One rent to rule them all

Monopoly: The Lord of the Rings Edition could be the perfect edition of Monopoly for fans of the beloved Lord of the Rings movie trilogy directed by Peter Jackson. Playing as either Aragorn, Boromie, Gimli, Legolas, Gandalf, Sam, Pippin, Merry, or Frodo, you'll be buying up properties - like the Mines of Moria - to protect the lands from the evil armies of Mordor.

Pros & Cons
  • Play as members of The Fellowship.
  • Neat gameplay addition of The One Ring.
  • Features prominent Lord of the Rings locations.
  • Could feel more premium.
  • More for fans of the movies than the novels.
See at Amazon

The Monopoly: The Lord of the Rings Edition is inspired by Peter Jackson's movie trilogy, so this edition of the board game will be a treat for fans of those incredible films and the characters created by J.R.R. Tolkien. You also get eight wonderfully crafted tokens to pick and choose which of the Fellowship you want to play as, with this edition of Monopoly getting the LOTR spin with some gameplay tweaks.

You'll be building outposts and fortresses, instead of the usual houses and hotels. While there's the Path to Mount Doom and the One Ring changing things up as players who control the Ring of Power get special powers. But, player beware! The longer you have the ring the more dangerous it becomes.

Best TV Show Edition

Monopoly The Simpsons Board Game

D'oh directly to jail

The Monopoly Simpsons Edition features popular characters from the long-running Fox TV show. It also features places from the fictional town of Springfield. 

Pros & Cons
  • Six gold figurines
  • Vibrant artwork
  • Classic Simpsons references
  • Very expensive
See at Amazon

The Simpsons has been delighting viewers for decades, and this Monopoly: The Simpsons edition will light up players with dozens of references and callbacks. Featuring figures that aren't your obvious choices, the included tokens recall classic Simpsons episodes such as Homer as a Monorail conductor, Santa's Little Helper, Bart in his soapbox racer, and more. Houses and hotels have been renamed to Monorail Stops and Stations too, in this colorful edition that'll bring a smile to players.

Most Unique Board

Monopoly Game: Star Wars Edition

May the Chance be with you

This fast-paced version of Monopoly will have Star Wars fans feeling The Force. With a specially shaped board that might conjure up images of the Millennium Falcon, this Star Wars edition of Monopoly has players on either the side of the Rebels or the Empire as they conquer planets and build bases as they battle for supremacy over the galaxy.

Pros & Cons
  • Features lots of Star Wars details.
  • Unique board.
  • Genuine Star Wars feeling with Rebel and Empire sides.
  • No female characters.
$47 at Amazon $70 at Walmart

This Star Wars edition is a faster paced version of the classic game. In Monopoly: Star Wars Edition players form teams to buy up planets and build bases around the galaxy on a specially designed board. Force cards could turn the battle in your favor, as you play on either the side of the Rebels or the Empire.

Fight on the Light Side as Luke Skywalker or the Dark Side as Darth Vader; there are 48 bases and 36 Force cards to contend with. It's a bit of a shame there are no female tokens with the likes of Princess Leia or Rey not included, but for those want to play in a galaxy far, far away, this is the Monopoly edition to get.

Best Throwback Edition

Monopoly Disney Edition

A Community Chest full of nostalgia

This is the classic Monopoly gameplay that the world knows and loves, but with that added Disney magic and sparkle that generations have come to adore. This special Disney edition of Monopoly features more than 25 Disney films, from classics such as The Jungle Book and The Lion King to live-action such as High School Musical and Hannah Montana.

Pros & Cons
  • Features over 25 classic Disney films.
  • You build cottages and castles.
  • Traditional Monopoly gameplay.
  • Properties could be better themed.
  • Gameplay is not very Disney-fied.
See at Amazon $110 at Walmart

The Monopoly Disney Edition features the Disney characters and movies that are so beloved by adults and children the world over. Here you'll find Mickey Mouse, Snow White, Simba, and Baloo, among other classic Disney characters, while there's more recent favorites too, such as Buzz Lightyear, Woody and Nemo. There are six Disney figures to choose from while Tinker Bell will be guiding players along the way.

Best Custom Rules

Monopoly Gamer

Roll Dice To Begin

Monopoly Gamer edition is for the video games fans out there, and here at TheGamer there are plenty of those. Although it should probably be better called Monopoly Nintendo edition, this Monopoly Gamer set features Super Mario Bros. characters like Mario, Princess Peach, and Yoshi, as well as Donkey Kong.Featuring video game-like gameplay, this Monopoly Gamer edition is a fun tweak on the classic Monopoly formula.

Pros & Cons
  • Nintendo figures look great.
  • Each Super Mario Bros. character has power-ups.
  • Video game vibes.
  • Board art could be slightly better.
See at Amazon $30 at Walmart

Monopoly meets Nintendo in Monopoly Gamer edition. Featuring some great looking tokens in the form of well-painted and surprisingly big figures of Mario, Princess Peach, Yoshi, and Donkey Kong, this Gamer edition of Monopoly makes for a fun spin on the classic board game.

Here, two to four players will be battling legendary bosses as they compete to earn points as the player with the highest score wins the game. But you'll also be looking to take down big baddie Bowser at the end. Along the way instead of money you'll be collecting the golden Coins as seen in the Super Mario games while each character come with their own special abilities.

Best High-End Pick

Monopoly Luxury Edition

If you really had all that money

This luxury edition of Monopoly is hefty and solidly built. Crafted from wood and featuring decorative metal plaques, the Monopoly Luxury Edition could serve as a centerpiece in its own right. This is your classic Monopoly, with the traditional tokens (Boot, Dog, Car, etc), but everything has been given a luxurious upgrade.This set is for those who like to feel rich while they buy up Park Lane and Mayfair.

Pros & Cons
  • Upgraded money, houses and hotels.
  • Drawers are well made and useful for storage.
  • Robust build quality should see it last for generations.
  • Expensive.
  • Could've used real leather instead of faux.
  • Very large.
See at Amazon $280 at Walmart

Officially licensed by Hasbro, the Monopoly Luxury Edition is a quality and luxurious take on the classic board game. The Monopoly tokens are plated and die-cast, and so are the hotels and houses, while the money and cards also get the premium treatment.

Best Unique Mechanic

Monopoly: Cheaters Edition

Cheaters sometimes prosper

Monopoly: Cheaters Edition incentivizes players to try and get away with cheating. However, there are strict punishments if you happen to get caught. 

Pros & Cons
  • Handcuffing players for cheating is fun
  • Tests your deception skills
  • Some people really don't like cheating, even when encouraged
See at Amazon $17 at Walmart

Cheating is something everyone does in Monopoly, whether it's straight up stealing money or landing at a spot you didn't roll for. However, should you get caught while playing the Monopoly: Cheaters Edition, you'll be handcuffed to the board. Just remember not to flip it over.

Best Adaptation

Monopoly: Pokemon Kanto Edition

Gotta' Chance 'em all!

The Monopoly: Pokemon Kanto Edition is a great game for those who love the Gen One series.Instead of locations, players will encounter various Pokemon. 

Pros & Cons
  • Great for fans of Pokemon's first generation
  • Figurines look adorable
  • Expansions in the form of new regions would have been a cool and original idea
See at Amazon $63 at Walmart

The most surprising thing about the Monopoly: Pokemon Kanto Edition is that it shows just how similar the core features of Monopoly and Pokemon are. Instead of buying locations, you go around the board fighting and catching Pokemon.

Best Kids' Version

Monopoly: Squishmallows

Cuddleopoly

Considering Monopoly is one of the first board games your child will play, an edition based on one of their favourite toys is a great idea. Monopoly: Squishmallows keeps the basic ruleset, but changes up the visuals and the names to things based on Squishmallows.

Pros & Cons
  • Based on a beloved children's toy brand.
  • Great way to introduce kids to the game.
  • Adorable artwork.
See at Amazon $39 at Walmart

If you're a regular reader of TheGamer, you'll know that we're big fans of Squishmallows. Monopoly: Squishmallows applies a cuddly makeover to the game, making it more appealing to younger audiences and fans of plushes alike.

Best Artwork

Monopoly: Dune

Monopoly over the Spice is everything

With Dune 2 releasing recently, you might feel compelled to add some Spice to your board game night. Monopoly: Dune makes everything about the Spice, with artwork from Denis Villeneuve's movies. even the money is beautifully designed, keeping in mind the art direction of the films.

Pros & Cons
  • Dune themed renaming is done well.
  • Will be fun to play after watching the movie.
  • Specialised tokens look great.
See at Amazon $40 at Walmart

Dune 2 is all that anybody has been talking about since it launched. This edition is the Lisan al Gaib of Monopoly editions. With specially designed tokens, cards, and money, Monopoly: Dune will make ou feel like one of ther many houses clashing over control of the Spice.

FAQ

What is the world's most famous board game?

With the number of games that follow the same formula, localisation, and the number of collaborative editions, Monopoly is the arguably most popular board game in the word.

What is the oldest board game?

Believed to have originated 4,600 years ago in ancient Mesopotamia, the oldest board game in the world is The Royal Game of Ur.

Which is the toughest board game in the world?

The number of advanced strategies used while playing Chess, make it the toughest board game in the world.

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