How to Buy a Monopoly Game

Know that there are many versions of Monopoly to suit almost anyone.

Think about the person for whom you are purchasing the game. Monopoly comes in specialized versions and has something for everyone.

Think about what the person is interested in, where he or she lives, and any hobbies or sports in which the person participates.

Realize that there is a Monopoly Jr. for children aged 5 to 8 that costs about $8. This version is a simplified version and is an excellent way to introduce your child to the world of Monopoly. All other Monopoly games are designed for ages 8 and up.

Recognize that regular Monopoly is available for about $10. There is a deluxe edition that comes with a card carousel, a banker's tray, wooden buildings and a locomotive token. This is priced at $20. An Heirloom Monopoly comes in an attractive wooden box.

Understand that there are Monopoly games in city, state and college themes. Examples include New York City, Las Vegas, Texas, Florida State University and the University of Michigan. These games use the names of real places and streets to correspond to the setting and have tokens that relate to the locale. They are priced between $30 and $40.

Be interested to learn that there are editions of Monopoly that span a wide range of interests including: Star Trek, US Navy, US Space Program, NHL, NFL, NASCAR, Pokemon, bass fishing, Mustang, national parks, Wizard of Oz, World Cup Soccer, Marvel Comics, Coca-Cola, golf and Harley-Davidson. The prices for these editions vary between $25 and $50.

Notice that there are other versions of traditional Monopoly: hand-held, 3-D Puzzle (that can be played once it is assembled), and PlayStation, Macintosh and Windows CD-ROM versions. These are priced between $20 and $30.

Shop for your Monopoly game from the list below or from your favorite retailer.

Be aware that some of the specialized editions are hard to find locally and may be located more easily online.