The best editions of Monopoly for niche board game nights

Monopoly! There's no better board game you can play with your friends and family when you want to spend a good few hours locked in a bitter class struggle until one person eventually emerges as both tycoon and victor. Ah, capitalism! There have been a huge array of editions of Monopoly through the years, as it pioneered the licensed board game genre. Let's take a glance at the best Monopoly editions out there.

If you're reading this right now, odds are good that you've at least heard of Monopoly before. It's over a hundred years old, is famous for the length of each game, and is almost guaranteed to upset the relationship between you, your family and friends at least once. For a game based around buying up real estate and being the 'winner' by earning the most money and making your associates bankrupt, it's ironic that the game actually was invented to demonstrate the exact opposite of that.

Monopoly originated in 1903 as a method of exhibiting to the public that an economy that rewards the creation of wealth would be an ultimately better scenario than an economy that allows monopolists who seek to dominate their relevant markets. A couple of decades later, the original board game version of Monopoly was published in 1935 by Parker Brothers. It has since gone on to be locally licensed in over 103 countries and has been made in over thirty-seven languages.

As the decades have gone on, more and more licensed versions of the game have come into existence. These days, you can find a version of Monopoly themed around almost any large-scale movie, TV show or video game. In fact, it's such a cultural phenomenon and a touchstone of the 20th century that when a form of media grows in popularity enough to warrant the creation of its own Monopoly board, it's seen as a sign of major success!

So let's get into some of the best Monopoly games you may want to consider buying. A few are simply palette swaps of the original Monopoly formula, while others change around the game significantly. Check it out!

1. Classic Monopoly

Well, we kind of have to begin with the version of the game that started it all, right? The classic edition of Monopoly is available in the imaginatively titled Monopoly Classic Edition. This version brings it all back to basics and emulates the original 1935 version of the game as closely as possible. That means all spaces, artwork and metal pieces are replicas of the original board game, which is superb if you want to have yourselves a 'control' game of Monopoly before experimenting with some of the weird and wonderful licensed versions seen further down on this list.

• Monopoly Classic Edition £16.99 from Amazon

2. Monopoly: Cheater's Edition

Much to everyone's aggravation, a lot of players try to get away with bending the rules in a game of Monopoly. But what actually happens when that conniving and scheming in baked into the game itself? Well, you get the Monopoly: Cheater's Edition. This version adds cards that encourage you to break the rules to gain the most money possible so you can live out your true capitalist dream – a bit like how it's done in the real world. Just don't end up getting caught and chained to the game board with the included handcuffs!

• Monopoly Cheater's Edition £16.99 from Amazon

3. Fortnite Monopoly

Of course, there's a Fortnite version of Monopoly. One of the biggest phenomenons in gaming since Minecraft, Epic's uninteresting co-op survival game turned multiplayer battle royale sensation sells practically anything it can put its name on. The transition to the tabletop isn't too laboured thanks to the range of hotspots in the game that serve as variously populated landing locations. No surprises that Tilted Towers is this version's Mayfair. Spicy!

• Monopoly Fortnite Edition £16.99 from Amazon

4. Monopoly Deal

Here's an entirely different way to play Monopoly. Instead of the arduous hourly-long sessions, Monopoly Deal is a short card-based variant that you'll whizz through in about 15 minutes. You'll collect sets, build houses and tear every last penny from your opponent's hands as usual, but your possible actions are instead dictated by the cards in your hand. It will never replace the standard game, sure. Yet, this version does give you the option for a quick Monopoly session that's incredibly easy to play on-the-go as well!

• Monopoly Deal £5.27 from Amazon

5. Monopoly Voice Banking

You know all those screaming matches that at least eighty per cent of Monopoly games break down into? Well, now the Monopoly game can hear you screaming, and will respond accordingly (for better and worse). This version comes with its own electronic top hat that will listen to your instructions, and manage all the money, accounts and properties for you, eliminating the need for physical money and property cards. When done properly, this'll speed up the typical bureaucracy and fiddling associated with the game, giving you more time to scheme your way to victory.

• Monopoly Voice Banking £18.01 from Amazon

6. Monopoly Junior

Regular Monopoly can be a little confusing for the very young - the game is rated 8 and up, after all - but why wait until then before introducing them to capitalist property management? Monopoly Junior is a child-friendly version of the beloved classic that'll get your little'uns ready for the real thing. Just don't be surprised if they become landlords in later life.

• Monopoly Junior £12.99 from Amazon

7. Game of Thrones Monopoly

Everyone's favourite sex-and-gore-laden HBO show, Game of Thrones has its own version of Monopoly. This edition features, unsurprisingly, spaces all based on locations in and around Westeros. The tokens are designed after dragon eggs, White Walkers, the infamous crown of kings, Direwolves, and the Iron Throne itself, among others. It's even got a little scroll thingy! And all the hotels are now keeps and castles. Neat!

• Game of Thrones Monopoly £28.97 from Amazon

8. Friends Monopoly

Monopoly and friends – now that's an oxymoron if we've ever heard one. They'll be there for you – at least until they land on your property in a board game and you rinse them for all their money. Admittedly, we're impressed that the classic US sitcom is somehow translated into Monopoly with new pieces and spaces. It includes stuff like "that one that looks like a T-Rex because Ross is into dinosaurs" and "that one that's a pizza box because...Joey sometimes ate pizza"? Nailed it lads.

• Friends Monopoly £20.35 from Amazon

9. Walking Dead Monopoly

Ah, the lull of Monopoly combined with terrifying flesh-eating zombies in the midst of the apocalypse. Perhaps not the most traditional option, it does allow you to trade estate with a definitively more survival-based approach. Tokens from the show include your favourite characters Rick's Hat and Unidentified Bucket of Body Parts (yay!).

• The Walking Dead Monopoly £24.99 from Amazon

10. Pokémon Monopoly

Who doesn't love some good Pokémon nostalgia? Pick your favourite Pokémon token and hop around Kanto or Johto in this Monopoly title. Kanto seems to be sold out in the US, while Johto is sold out in the UK. You may not be able to pick your favourite, but they're both great.

• Pokemon Monopoly Kanto Edition £34.99 from Amazon

11. L.O.L. Surprise Monopoly

L.O.L. Suprise is a bit outside of our usual wheelhouse, but you've got to respect its popularity in a list like this. Absolutely one for the younger crowd, this Monopoly version is inspired by the titular dolls and accessories. Instead of properties and houses, these are the items that are sought after and traded, with the rarest dolls carrying the most value. The player with the best collection is deemed the winner. Good luck, parents!

• L.O.L. Surprise Monopoly £13.16 from Amazon

12. Rick & Morty Monopoly

Gallivant around the Multiverse with Rick & Morty themed Monopoly, where you can buy up everything from the Cromulon Dimension to some places out in our Earth realm. Best hand over those Schmeckles!

• Rick 'N' Morty Monopoly £32.94 from Amazon

13. Monopoly: Longest Game Ever

What's that, you think Monopoly is too short? Well, Hasbro has heard your concerns, so they made Monopoly: Longest Game Ever. This game doesn't end until one person owns every single property. A true monopoly, if you will. That takes forever. Have fun!

• Monopoly Longest Game Ever £49.99 from Amazon

14. Monopoly: The Mega Edition

Go big or go home, am I right? Monopoly: The Mega Edition has you buying more, earning more, and working towards the late capitalist future we're all hurtling towards. Keyscapers are cool though!

• Mega Monopoly £19.38 from Amazon

15. Super Mario Celebration Monopoly

It's time for Mario, Mario, and more Mario! Friends? What friends? Monopoly Super Mario Celebration is all about the red plumber. Pick your favorite Mario power-up and claim iconic Mario characters and locations to win.

• Mario Celebration Edition £30.99 from Amazon

16. Monopoly Arcade Pac-Man

Okay, so this version of Monopoly is really cool. Instead of money, you get points to buy properties by playing Pac-Man. It's novel and fun! It doesn't shake up the game a ton like some of the others on this list, but Monopoly Arcade Pac-Man is different enough to be a breath of fresh air.

• Monopoly Arcade Pac-Man £14.50 from Amazon

17. Monopoly Speed

The counterpoint to the Longest Game Ever versions, Monopoly Speed is the game you want if you want to actually finish a game of Monopoly. It's a bit chaotic, as everyone plays at the same time against a timer. But hey, you finish in 10 minutes. That's pretty darn fast!

• Monopoly Speed £15.01 from Amazon

18. Monopoly for Millenials

This is it, everyone. Monopoly for Millenials tells you to forget about real estate, because you can't afford it anyway, which is painfully true. Instead, you buy, sell, and trade "experiences" to win. Part of us wants to shout about this edition of Monopoly for the memes. Part of us wants to yeet it into the sun for its disingenuous representation of the difficulties faced by a generation. It's basically a Monopoly game of what Boomers think Millennials are, so take that as you will.

• Monopoly for Millenials £14.00 from Amazon

19. Star Wars The Child Monopoly

Look, I didn't watch the Mandalorian. There's a Monopoly based on The Child from the show. It has tokens of The Child being cute, and you can collect locations based off the show and Star Wars universe. If you're a fan I'd buy it.

• Monopoly for Millenials £14.00 from Amazon

20. Monopoly for Sore Losers

And eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Monopoly for Sore Losers celebrates the rage-quitters and lets them get even. Get Sore Loser Tokens and cash them in to ruin everyone else's day. If you thought normal Monopoly caused fights, you haven't seen anything yet.

• Monopoly for Sore Losers £17.99 from Amazon

21. One Piece Monopoly

Which will last longer--a game of One Piece Monopoly or the anime? Did I pick this for the list just to make that joke? Yes. Anyway if you like One Piece you can get yourself One Piece Monopoly and have a good time.

• One Piece Monopoly £29.99 from Amazon

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I think that should be enough of the best Monopoly editions to get you started! If you're ready to step up your board gaming to a different level, you should definitely check out our page dedicated to all the Dungeons & Dragons essentials. We've also got a look at the best D&D campaigns.