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Types of Monopoly Board Games

"Monopoly" is among the quintessential board games. Originally developed by Parker Brothers, it requires a little knowledge of economic strategy, some trading skills and luck. The goal is to bankrupt all of the other players. Several variations of "Monopoly" exist. Most of these games retain the basic goal of the original but change its optional elements.

Traditional
- The traditional version originated in the United States during the 1930s. It has 28 properties, three community chest and chance spaces, an income and luxury tax spaces and four corner squares: Jail (Just Visiting), Free Parking, Go to Jail and Go. In 2008, the income tax amount was changed to a flat $200 rate; prior versions allowed players to opt for 10 percent of their money. Luxury tax was also increased from $75 to $100. During the 1980s, St. Charles Place and Illinois Avenue was replaced with the Showboat Casino Hotel and Martin Luther King Blvd., respectively.
Thematic
- Thematic versions typically change the design and aesthetics of "Monopoly," but the game play is usually the same. For example, "Monopoly Junior" uses different names for the properties, square colors and player tokens. There are also versions featuring famous people and entities such as the Beatles edition and Disney characters. Some options take on the theme of special interest groups. It's possible to find "Monopoly" games based on sports teams or cat and dog lovers.
Variation
- Monopoly variations can add to or substantially change the original game mechanics. For example, players of "Monopoly City" can build additional properties beyond hotels and houses. Players can also devalue other player's properties by building neighboring negative value buildings, such as sewage plants. Other "Monopoly" games are spin-offs of the original. "U-Build Monopoly" uses customizable, removable tiles instead of the traditional board squares. Players can add various kinds of buildings, tokens and other items to a tile to increase its value.
Electronic
- Electronic variations are typically available for personal computers, video game consoles and mobile phones. These games usually have animated graphics and sounds for a more engaging experience. For example, the electronic version automatically rolls dice and facilitates property trades in a separate, dedicated window. The player can also play against artificial intelligence programs, which eliminates the need to find human opponents.

Board Games