Common Sense Media Review
By Chris Morris
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Two video game adaptations of popular board game series.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
Monopoly Collection
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's It About?
There are actually two stories with MONOPOLY COLLECTION, since the disc contains two complete games. The original Monopoly is a video game version of the classic board game, where players take turns moving pieces around a board and buying property, ultimately trying to be the last player standing. The included "Richest Edition" tosses out the traditional rules and has players exploring various mini-games to earn properties and collect income. The game's more fun with four human players, but the Wii can fill any empty roles with computer-controlled characters.
Monopoly Streets, the other half of the game, lets you explore the game from a street level view using avatars (including Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head). The rules are essentially the same as the classic board game (though you are able to customize your own "house rules"), but rather than watching a shoe hop from space to space from a top-down perspective, you'll see your avatar explore the 3D streets, houses, and hotels.
Is It Any Good?
If you're a fan of the board game and aren't a player who craves immediate action, you'll find plenty to enjoy in Monopoly Collection. The game is a good value, offering two existing family-friendly titles at a fair price as well as bonus content, including new game boards (such as "Stratosphere City," previously unavailable on the Wii) and new avatars (Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head). Like the two separate original titles, players can choose to follow the official rules or customize them in a variety of ways.
The game is slow-paced and refuses to be rushed, which could bore some players used to the frenetic style and skippable scenes of other titles. And Mr. Monopoly, while genial, sometimes gets a bit old due to his limited collection of phrases. But as far as video game adaptations of classic board games go, it's a solid choice.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the importance of budgeting your money and investing. Is it worth it to spend quickly and be disappointed when you can't buy things later?
Families can also talk about whether it's more fun to play the game on a TV set or with the original board game, where you don't have the cartoon aspects, but are able to use your imagination more.
What other board games have you tried in digital format?
Game Details
- Platform : Nintendo Wii
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Not available online
- Publisher : Electronic Arts
- Release date : November 1, 2011
- Genre : Party
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : September 3, 2020
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