New Monopoly has Circular Board, Songs and Credit Cards

by Brett Singer (Subscribe to Brett Singer's posts) Feb 3rd 2010 2:30PM

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"Monopoly: Revolution Edition " features a circular board. Credit: Hasbro Games

In honor of Monopoly's 75th Anniversary, Hasbro is releasing MONOPOLY: Revolution Edition. What makes it new? A circular board, plastic pieces and an "electronic game pod" that plays music and keeps track of the money. So long, paper currency.

Also different are the dollar amounts: $200 for passing Go? P'shaw. That'll be $2 million, now.

You can still play as a dog or a shoe, but instead of the cool metal pieces that were actually shaped like a dog or a shoe, you get a clear plastic piece with an image of a dog or a shoe on it.

The "electronic game pod" will act as the banker (no more cheating), and will also play sounds like the rattle of a jail door closing, as well as songs both current (Rihanna's "Umbrella," Daniel Powter's "Bad Day") and classic (Elton John's "Rocket Man") according to materials provided by Hasbro.

The regular version of Monopoly will still be sold, according to a report on Gizmodo.

Monopoly fans already had a lot of choices to make. Those desperate to ditch the paper money can already pick up Monopoly Electronic Banking Edition. Then there are the numerous branded versions, such as Nintendo Monopoly, Monopoly Clone Wars (as in "Star Wars," in case you didn't know), and even the Monopoly video game for the Playstation 3. Gizmodo's John Herrman suggests that if you really want the ease of not dealing with cash, the video game route is probably the way to go.

Still, a quick perusal of the many Monopoly versions shows that the most revolutionary thing about this new edition is the round board. Look at the photo. It just looks like a different game.

MONOPOLY: Revolution Edition will be available this fall for a suggested retail price of $34.99, according to a company spokesperson.

What about you? Are you interested in this new Monopoly with a round board? Or will you be a square and stick with the old one?

Related: How to Host a Game Night

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Comments (20)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Gage W. 2-03-2010 @ 8:20PM

Hey if it has the name monopoly, I'll most likely give it a shot, and this is no exception. A new twist to a classic game is a great seller to young and old consumers alike. I just hope the new board and pieces don't change the game too much. And the credit cards? Well no more lost paper money around the house. So i think its still an improvement.

eej3 2-03-2010 @ 9:32PM

You won't catch me cheating on the tried and true, classic version that has been just fine for generations of Monopoly players. I think it's outrageous to change something that has been a constant source of enjoyment for such a long time. You don't fix it if it ain't broke! It's like making over old movies (like "Psycho") and then seeing a pathetic, second-rate result.

Leave the original stuff alone. The real challenge is trying to come up with brand new games (without sound effects and all the other sexy stuff they're trying to add to Monopoly) that can give the original games some competition. I'll be it wouldn't be that easy.

Parker Brothers-- give it up!

Kelly 2-04-2010 @ 5:48AM

I'm with you, Gage. I'm a bit of a Monopoly freak! hehe I have WAY too many versions of the game. A pink set that comes in a boutique box ("ladies" version) with cell phone/purse/shoe game pieces. Here and Now, Regular, a remake of the original (wooden houses, looks exactly like the very first version of the game... can't afford a REAL original, so it's the remake), and a few other versions that are currently in storage. I've said since childhood that "when I win the lottery" I was buying the "REAL" Monopoly game at F.A.O. Schwarz. I don't know if they still have it but the board has an actual diamond inset in the Luxury tax space, it uses real money, the houses are embellished with emeralds and the hotels with rubies. It would be the most insane WASTE of money, but I would so love to have it!!! I also have random "Monopoly dice" and "Monopoly card" games that I have never played! Nothing beats the original.
Sorry, I'm actually quite excited about yet another Monopoly version to own! I'm also ALMOST as crazy about Trivial Pursuit games!

DOLL 2-11-2010 @ 4:30PM

أريد العاب من فضلكم

PlanB 2-03-2010 @ 8:50PM

This game wouldn't be trying to warm the masses to an electronic single form of electronic world currency issued by the IMF would it?

It kept up with inflation passing go, instead of 2 bucks, you get 2 million. (Showing how worthless the dollar has become).

The "electronic game pod" will act as the banker (no more cheating)
Oh? We don't bail out the dishonest banks who take the money to buy more banks and consolidate power.

Electronic banking makes it just that much more convenient for them to influence the world's economy. One currency, one failure.

John Doe 2-03-2010 @ 9:00PM

if THIS new board game isn't enough of a hint, America, you need an IQ test...which you'll probably fail miserably.

if you dont already know, paper currency - although worthless - is quickly coming to and end. technology is taking over, and this new monopoly game says it all in the most subtle of hints...that you probably looked right past.

it's funny, too, that the 'dont pass go' went from a whopping 200 to 2 million. can you say inflation? oh...that sounds familiar...why is our current economy the way it is and why is contemporary currency virtually worthless?

search youtube: vladthefilmmaker (videos America for Americans, vol I and II)

as Jesse Ventura would say 'you wont believe what you don't know'

Bill 2-05-2010 @ 10:39AM

Gee John Doe, you must be an Ivy League graduate - so smart and so full of himself. LOL.

Sherry Artemenko 2-03-2010 @ 9:41PM

It looks like Hasbro has designed a "current" edition of Monopoly
that includes interactive technology, which is great.

I review great games that build children's language skills on my
website at HTtP://www.playonwords.com for fun ideas for games to play with your kids.

Sherry Artemenko
Speech Language Pathologist

Shayna 2-03-2010 @ 10:15PM

Yeah, but is it still as boring as it used to be? Monopoly was always the game that sat in the closet.

Shawn C 2-04-2010 @ 12:38AM

The best version of Monopoly is the one on NES(Original Nintendo). You can play it on virtualnes.com without downloading anything. I'm not trying to plug a website like the bots do, I just feel that it's the original game in the most basic format possible without having to sit and add and subtract totals, plus you can play it by yourself against computer opponents(who do win at least 40% of the time). No other video game system's version of Monopoly matches the awesome simplicity and downright fun gameplay of the NES version. Check it out!

ray 2-04-2010 @ 2:18AM

i'm from the ole school Monopoly, played it about 45yrs ago, and still have a set. it used to give you a good feeling when somebody landed on your property and you had a ton of money in front of you, and pissed you off when you were broke, just like real life. now it's credit cards and electronic transfers , you don't feel the fun or the dispear, just like todays real life.
now you don't have to learn how to count, or handle money. back in the day board games were designed to teach you something, other than to work at McD's and let the register tell you everything. needless to say, i'll stay with the old way.

shashan7 2-04-2010 @ 2:27AM

YUCCHHH!!!

Dan 2-04-2010 @ 3:33AM

Does it charge you $35.00 if you overdraw?

Brad 2-04-2010 @ 10:42AM

But the important question is, will Monopoly still be based on the streets of Atlantic City?

Carissa 2-05-2010 @ 6:57PM

I always thought one of the advantages to paper money was helping kids to practice their arithmetic skills - an electronic banker makes it so they don't have to think at all!

cindy 2-05-2010 @ 12:52AM

Way to go Parker Bros.. A brand new twist to the classic game which has had no major physical changes for a long time just different names like Monopolystars wars edition, monopoly disney,etc so whats the big deal about a new and better verision that I think would be fun to play especially on a round board instead of the square board which took up space if you didnt have a large table to use and the fact that nobody has to fight over whos the banker and does stop the cheating. Im 58 yrs. old and have been playing monopoly since I turned 8 yrs old so I believe that a change is needed and there is nothing wrong with changes and you who are complaining play the new game first compare it to the classic and if you still think the changes are not needed then complain to Parker Bros and as for me when it is available here in AZ. ,I will buy it and Im sure that my family and I will enjoy this monopoly game just as much as we have the other versions that Parker Bros. have made. Monopoly lover in AZ.

Charlotte Miciotto 2-05-2010 @ 1:54AM

That the first time I.ve seen a Monopoly in a cirle likr that I have always seen a square board where tou put hotels and other kind cards on the board, but this is the first that I have seen one like this.Ahd I bet it is hard to play sine it,s in a circle.

Patricia Jameson 2-05-2010 @ 12:41PM

I thank that i would love to play this new game THANK YOU

Christopher Payne-Taylor 2-06-2010 @ 11:17PM

It’s just sad, that’s all. It’s like redesigning baseball with a round field, electronic bases and WII-style bats. And $2M for passing go? No, I don’t think so. Who gets that now? Celebrity poptarts, perhaps, but no one who actually lives a real life. And that’s the point. Monopoly and games like it reflected life as it was. This new version of the game, like most videogames and other media entertainment, reflects life as we might fantasize it to be. It’s why today’s sterile suburban streets are devoid of kids who used to play stickball in far less lofty environs, why homes are filled with glowing screens where lives are poured into the blinding light of science and the illusions it creates because what we have just doesn’t seem good enough, anymore. Only nobody laughs or shouts or runs in those homes. They just stare myopically into the electronic wasteland as their fingers twitch in distaff rhythm trying desparately to keep up with something that does not even recognize their existence. And the saddest part of all is that I still feel the distinct exhilaration of when my grandmother and I used to play game after game of Monopoly over 40 years ago. But I don’t imagine today’s crop of zombie warlord killers will ever live to be able to say the same.

John F.C. Taylor 2-05-2010 @ 7:16PM

I can understand the electronic banking edition. Certainly saves the mess of dealing with all the paper money. However, that's about as far as I'll go from the traditional game. Kind of odd that of all the versions available they didn't mention the MLB versions or NASCAR versions or even the Beatles version. Yes, Elvis fans, his too!