The 5 Best Monopoly Spin-Offs of All Time

Monopoly is one of the most iconic board games of all time. Conceived by the Parker Brothers in the mid-1930s, Monopoly has experienced unprecedented commercial success, transcending generations, as it’s managed to shift more than 275 million units of the game worldwide. The game has been successfully translated into no fewer than 47 native languages and sold in over 100 nations.

Dubbed the “fast-dealing property trading game”, the original Monopoly board game featured locations in the New Jersey region of Atlantic City. The game’s dynamics were inspired by “The Landlord’s Game”, an early 20th-century board game conceived by Elizabeth Magie, which aimed to prove that sharing wealth among individuals is more prosperous than a monopoly that retains all the wealth.

Today, the Monopoly franchise is now a multi-faceted brand, thriving not just in the world of board games but in other areas of entertainment, too. This includes Monopoly-branded slot machines and live dealer gameshows, as well as its own branded online casino, which is ranked as one of the 15 best online casinos for real-money gameplay in the UK market.

The versatility of the Monopoly franchise has ensured its continued popularity both on and offline. It’s offline we’re more interested in during this article as we revisit the five most successful Monopoly board game spin-offs that have cemented themselves in Monopoly folklore.

Monopoly Here & Now

Monopoly Here & Now was a clever release in 2006, aimed at future proofing the original game. It replaced several of the “OG” properties on the game board with 21st-century destinations and landmarks. The likes of Hollywood, Times Square, and even the White House were now in reach.

There was also a refresh of the Community Chest and Chance cards, with a view to better reflecting 21st-century life and events. The success of Monopoly Here & Now demonstrated the brand’s ability to stay relevant by adapting to contemporary culture while retaining the core gameplay mechanics that fans love.

Monopoly Deal

In 2008, Hasbro acknowledged that attention spans were shortening, so opted to launch a fast-paced variant to the original Monopoly, Monopoly Deal. A game of Monopoly Deal can be finished in as little as 15 minutes, making it an absolute must for casual gamers on the move or a fast, light-hearted game.

They’ve still managed to retain the true essence of Monopoly. It’s all about collecting clusters of property assets and utilizing action cards to pinch the assets of others, charge rent, or negotiate a deal. Essentially, it contains all the hard and fast elements of the original, but the game can turn on its head with the draw of a single card.

Monopoly: Electronic Banking Edition

In 2006, Hasbro had the foresight to launch Monopoly: Electronic Banking Edition, doing away with paper money by digitizing the game. Players use electronic banking cards and make transactions using a card reader. This has been well-received by all generations of Monopoly players, giving people an insight into life in a cashless economy – something we’re heading towards in the 2020s.

The Electronic Banking Edition is still heavily played by people today, especially since it streamlines the action. This spin-off is proof that the timeless board game franchise can flex and evolve with the times.

Monopoly Empire

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One of the more recent spin-offs of the original Monopoly is Monopoly Empire. Released in 2013, this version veers away from the classic real estate dynamic. In a nod towards the globalist world we currently live in, Monopoly Empire is all about buying and trading major conglomerates like McDonald’s, Microsoft, and Coca-Cola.

The game aims to create and pack out a building full of digital signs of brands you own as an entrepreneur, akin to New York’s Times Square or London’s Piccadilly Circus.

Monopoly Cheaters Edition

Let’s face it, Monopoly is a competitive game, and the Cheaters Edition takes things to a whole new level. Unveiled in 2018, this unique version invites players to bend the rules. The game features a string of new “cheat cards” that reward those who can cheat most successfully and penalize those who get caught trying.

In fact, players who are sent to “Jail” even have handcuffs to wear if they’re caught red-handed cheating. It’s a light-hearted twist on the original game, which continues to resonate with the most mischievous of Monopoly players around the world.

The many Monopoly spin-offs demonstrate the franchise’s versatility and capacity to engage new audiences while retaining the core elements that have helped it to endure for generations.