I don't like the computer-driven nature of it, but the biggest complaint most folks have about Monopoly is that it NEVER ENDS, and that's driven in part by common house rules like not auctioning properties, the "free parking pot," and allowing non-monetary compensation for rent ("I'll give you a property" or "I'll give you a free pass next time you land on my property"). Having something that forces strictly following the rules arguably makes a better game.
I have no problem with allowing mutually beneficial exchanges like that, but you have to auction off unclaimed properties in order to get everything in someone's hands.
What the computer helps with most of all is mortgage-based financing. When I play on the iPod, it's so damn easy to build up housing funds that way.
Sure. They'll do this new version of Monopoly, and that craptastic new version of Battleship, but they won't bring back the greatest big-tower-based board game ever: Dark Tower!
For a budding control freak like myself, being banker was the best part of the game. If I got to be banker then I knew it would get done RIGHT and there'd be no CHEATING (ahem, Little Brother).
My fiancé LOVES monopoly and I think he would want this version to play with his brother and I who negotiate between ourselves to try to defeat him. Because he has insanely amazing rolling ability that keeps him Alive longer than you.
Dark Tower is EXACTLY what I thought of when I read about the new Monopoly in NYT over the weekend. That game was fantastic. (And so was its Milton Bradley Electronics cousin, Big Trak.)
You haven't suffered Monopoly pain until you've spent a single day with spaceboy. We own like 7 different versions of the game, including the extra-odious Monopoly City, where you start the game with, I kid you not, $30 million. If this thing makes its way to our house, we are doomed.
<span><span>Nothing like firing at an arrow at someone halfway around the board!</span> That said, bring back Talisman! Now there was a board game.</span>
Dark Tower was pulled from the market after trade secret theft litigation, so is unlikely to be reprinted. However, based on trademark filings, I'd say it's very possible we could be looking at Fireball Island coming back into print, which I'm sure folks have good memories of.
There's a new/revised edition of Talisman in print. I've seen at Barnes and Noble.
The whole point of playing Momopoly with ones siblings is to cheat. It is the responsibility of the older sister to teach the younger sister that LIFE ISN'T FAIR.
My mother had to ban monopoly in our house because my brother always cheated, one of my sisters always started crying and inevitably someone would "bump" the board and knock everyone's pieces out of whack. It is one of my primo examples of the "This is why we can't have nice things" concept. Even though we are all "adults" now, we still do not have a monopoly board at my parents' house.
Monopoly City makes no sense whatsoever. It is less a game than libertarian propaganda, because the rules are impossible to understand and everything the government does fucks up your moneymaking.
Talisman?!?!?! I'd have gotten much better grades my junior and senior years of college if that game hadn't existed. Have been looking for a copy for ages - must pick one up. thanks, Matt!
I'll be the little sister grumbling in the corner over here about how I couldn't get through a game without going to the bathroom, at which point my big sister would STEAL MONEY FROM THE BANK. Did I mention that she turned out to be a lawyer? And I turned out to be a nonprofit fundraiser? Hmm...
Mousetrap got banned at my house the day the giant picture window in the living room got broken when someone threw a marble at it. Although Chinese checkers was still played, so I don't follow my parents logic there.
I don't like the computer-driven nature of it, but the biggest complaint most folks have about Monopoly is that it NEVER ENDS, and that's driven in part by common house rules like not auctioning properties, the "free parking pot," and allowing non-monetary compensation for rent ("I'll give you a property" or "I'll give you a free pass next time you land on my property"). Having something that forces strictly following the rules arguably makes a better game.
ReplyDeleteDoesn't this seem like something aliens would use to enslave the entire human race? And then the Doctor would have to save us somehow? Just sayin'
ReplyDeleteI have no problem with allowing mutually beneficial exchanges like that, but you have to auction off unclaimed properties in order to get everything in someone's hands.
ReplyDeleteWhat the computer helps with most of all is mortgage-based financing. When I play on the iPod, it's so damn easy to build up housing funds that way.
Sure. They'll do this new version of Monopoly, and that craptastic new version of Battleship, but they won't bring back the greatest big-tower-based board game ever: Dark Tower!
ReplyDeleteFor a budding control freak like myself, being banker was the best part of the game. If I got to be banker then I knew it would get done RIGHT and there'd be no CHEATING (ahem, Little Brother).
ReplyDeleteMy fiancé LOVES monopoly and I think he would want this version to play with his brother and I who negotiate between ourselves to try to defeat him. Because he has insanely amazing rolling ability that keeps him Alive longer than you.
ReplyDeleteDark Tower is EXACTLY what I thought of when I read about the new Monopoly in NYT over the weekend. That game was fantastic. (And so was its Milton Bradley Electronics cousin, Big Trak.)
ReplyDeleteOh, Dark Tower. I can still hear its sweet battlesong.
ReplyDeleteYou haven't suffered Monopoly pain until you've spent a single day with spaceboy. We own like 7 different versions of the game, including the extra-odious Monopoly City, where you start the game with, I kid you not, $30 million. If this thing makes its way to our house, we are doomed.
ReplyDelete<span><span>Nothing like firing at an arrow at someone halfway around the board!</span>
ReplyDeleteThat said, bring back Talisman! Now there was a board game.</span>
I award this comment a bronze key. Avoid the Brigands.
ReplyDeleteDark Tower was pulled from the market after trade secret theft litigation, so is unlikely to be reprinted. However, based on trademark filings, I'd say it's very possible we could be looking at Fireball Island coming back into print, which I'm sure folks have good memories of.
ReplyDeleteThere's a new/revised edition of Talisman in print. I've seen at Barnes and Noble.
The whole point of playing Momopoly with ones siblings is to cheat. It is the responsibility of the older sister to teach the younger sister that LIFE ISN'T FAIR.
ReplyDeleteRight, Sue?
What, really? WOOT! Matt, you get a cookie for that info.
ReplyDeleteMy mother had to ban monopoly in our house because my brother always cheated, one of my sisters always started crying and inevitably someone would "bump" the board and knock everyone's pieces out of whack. It is one of my primo examples of the "This is why we can't have nice things" concept. Even though we are all "adults" now, we still do not have a monopoly board at my parents' house.
ReplyDeleteMonopoly City makes no sense whatsoever. It is less a game than libertarian propaganda, because the rules are impossible to understand and everything the government does fucks up your moneymaking.
ReplyDeleteSo basically, it's the Ayn Rand novel of board games?
ReplyDelete"<span>Tracking everything with its infrared eyes, the tower looms like the</span><span> </span><span>Eye of Sauron</span><span>."</span>
ReplyDelete<p> </p>
Talisman?!?!?! I'd have gotten much better grades my junior and senior years of college if that game hadn't existed. Have been looking for a copy for ages - must pick one up. thanks, Matt!
ReplyDeleteI'll be the little sister grumbling in the corner over here about how I couldn't get through a game without going to the bathroom, at which point my big sister would STEAL MONEY FROM THE BANK. Did I mention that she turned out to be a lawyer? And I turned out to be a nonprofit fundraiser? Hmm...
ReplyDeleteMy parents can't play Rook. This is because of a 40-year-old argument that they start having again if you even mention it.
ReplyDeleteI'm banned from Euchre.
Of course, I come from a family where "Hearts" is also known as "Character Building Exercise."
In my family, Progressive Rummy is called "Julie's Crying Game" and it has been called that for three generations.
ReplyDeleteMousetrap got banned at my house the day the giant picture window in the living room got broken when someone threw a marble at it. Although Chinese checkers was still played, so I don't follow my parents logic there.
ReplyDeleteMinus the violent sex, anyway.
ReplyDeleteand I thought it was bad when they introduced that 'updated' version that used credit cards instead of cash...
ReplyDelete"Someone," Heather?
ReplyDelete