Monopoly could be one of the oldest board games in existence, which is a commonly known fact. The earliest versions date from 1903, and the game has evolved with modern society. Today it's common to see different versions of the game based on video games or movies or designed with certain themes. The metal pieces used by players are iconic, and sooner or later every kid hears their parent say the words, "Do not pass go, do not collect $200!" to definitively end a conversation.
Considering how the game is so deeply ingrained in our culture, there are still a lot of fun facts about the game that most people don't know. Centuries in the future, we'll probably see versions of it on commuter spacecraft or virtual reality Star Trek-style holodecks.
8 His Name Isn't Mr. Monopoly
It might be a revelation that the Monopoly mascot even has a real name, but he does. Introducing someone you already know, Rich Uncle Pennybags. His design looks suspiciously like that of Scrooge McDuck, but we're not here to judge who came first.
Pennybags has become the face of Monopoly and has a place in the pop culture realm that's so ubiquitous an artist like Andy Warhol would have a field day with him. He appears on tattoos, cards, jewelry, and pretty much everywhere else, but he's always known as "Mr. Monopoly."
7 The Other Characters Also Have Names
That unfortunate guy in the jail might have the same mustache as Pennybags, but this is actually another character with his own name. That's Jake the Jailbird, and we hope he gets himself sorted out soon so we can go back to buying property instead of letting Pennybags have the whole board to himself.
The bobby hauling him away also has a name. This is Officer Edgar Mallory, and his name sounds weirdly serious to the modern ear when compared to the others. It's actually a play on the old stereotype of the Irish cop, a popular image in the early 20th century.
6 It Was Originally Designed To Help People Understand Taxes
This would explain why this game has a reputation for being so boring. Elizabeth Maggie is the person credited with putting together the first version of the game in 1903, several decades before it was pitched to Parker Brothers as a table-top game (TTG).
Elizabeth's goal was not only to understand the tax system better but also real estate. Her name for Monopoly was "The Landlord's Game" and it was meant as a parody of a burgeoning commercial practice as well as an educational tool.
5 It's Not An Escape Plan, Just A Board Game
Monopoly even had some wartime uses, and not just to kill time in the barracks. British soldiers and spies used the game to smuggle food, medicine, personal letters, and even maps and tools to POWs in camps behind enemy lines. Sometimes these supply lines were also used to help civilians.
Maybe that famous wartime film, The Great Escape, would have been more realistic and immersive if a Monopoly game had been involved.
4
There's An App For That
Monopoly is so fixated in the general public's mind as a vintage table-top game that it comes as a surprise to many that there's an electronic version. In fact, there are several electronic versions, enough for any tablet, app, or even PC desktop.
Vintage games are experiencing a resurgence thanks to digital versions, and it's easy to find Monopoly either on its own or bundled with other classics like Clue or Life. Some versions can be played against the computer or online editions that invite other players to join.
3 There's A Christmas Version...
Of course, this would have to be a collaborative effort between Hasbro and the Hallmark Channel. This version has its own unique money, properties inspired by the holidays, and tokens in the form of Christmas symbols like snowflakes and bells.
Players don't have to be into Hallmark Movies to enjoy the game, they just have to be in the seasonal spirit. Do you want to role-play as George Baily or Mr. Potter?
2 ...And A Chocolate Version
The joke would be that this game lasts so long they all might look edible after a while, but there are actual chocolate versions of Monopoly. They were first introduced as a luxury item in the Nieman Marcus catalog in 1978, and today there are a variety of boards and accessories made of chocolate.
Just to be clear, this isn't a novelty box of candy in the shape of Monopoly accessories. It's an actual, playable game. The catch is that the aim is to eat the acquired chocolate as opposed to accumulating property, so most of the catch is that this is only good for a single play.
1 ...And A $2 Million Version
Every board game has an upscale equivalent, and one as popular and versatile as Monopoly would have to have one of the most impressive. It does, and the solid gold board is just the start. Each property and card is lined with gemstones that include rubies, sapphires, and diamonds.
The dice alone, which are also 18k gold and imbued with diamonds where the dots should be, are worth ten thousand dollars alone. Players who can afford this Monopoly board must have already mastered the game in real life.