Gift Ideas

Monopoly Electronic Banking Edition

The Monopoly Electronic Banking Edition game combines the best of classic Monopoly with updated electronic transactions. As with the original version, players still operate with money, learn real-world economics, competition and strategy, try to stay out of jail, and try their best to get filthy rich. But this version has been updated to reflect changes in how the real world uses money: All transactions are conducted with Monopoly’s new banking card system. Anyone from age 8 and up will enjoy this updated version of one of the world’s most famous games.

Aside from the electronic banking, the basic rules of this game have not changed from the Monopoly everybody remembers. Tokens, houses, hotels, chance and community chest cards, cardboard property deeds — if you’ve played the classic version, you’ll know how to play. The board is different in how it folds up in the box, but once you spread it out, it’s the same.

The tokens have changed to reflect today’s culture. Instead of irons and racing cars, the tokens depict modern icons such as a Segway and a tin of Altoids. Instead of railroads, there are airports. The utilities are Internet service providers and cell phone services. Properties have also been updated — from the upscale blue Times Square to the economy purple Texas Stadium. In this game, you can go to jail for identity theft or lose $1 million when a virus infects your computer network. And of course, property values are exponentially higher than in the original game.

The big switch, of course, is the electronic banking. Each player starts with $15 million in their bank card account, and the banker adds amounts (such as when the player passes go) or subtracts (such as when the player pays to get out of jail) by inserting the player’s card in the plus or minus slot of the Banker Unit. When one player has to pay another player, the banker debits or credits each account as appropriate.

Board games may seem a bit old-fashined in the internet age, but they have many merits, and can be a lot of fun on any given evening with the family.

Here are 7 fun board games for you to enjoy:

#7

Smart Ass – Have you ever played a game and been bursting to yell out the answer, even when it’s not your turn? Well here’s your chance! Each Who, What and Where am I? card has ten clues and the first player to yell out the correct answer moves one step closer to being the ultimate “Smart Ass.” More info on Smart Ass.

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#6

The Game of Life – Practice makes perfect in the game of Life. Try marriage, kids, and more. Will you go to college and take out student loans? Or join the working force and collect on payday? Will you go bankrupt, or earn millions in stock and real estate? Anything’s possible with a spin of the Life wheel! A classic family game that can be a reality check – or just a fun time. More info on The Game of Life.

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#5

Chutes and Ladders – Oldie but goldie! Be the first to move your child-shaped playing piece from square one to square 100 on the Chutes and Ladders game board. More info on Chutes and Ladders.

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#4

Blokus - Fun for both kids and adults, Blokus is a strategy board game that challenges spatial thinking. Bright colors and simple rules make it ideal for ages five and up, but adults will certainly be engrossed by this unique and challenging game. More info on Blokus.

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#3

Rummikub – It’s hard to find family games that are fun and challenging for both kids and adults, but Rummikub fills the bill on all counts. The rules are simple, the game is varied, and the fun is free for everyone! This version of Rummikub has 106 plastic tiles with numbers in different colors and four dark-blue plastic tile racks to hold the tiles during play. More info on Rummikub.

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#2

Pictureka – Find it fast, find it first! Pictureka is the exciting game of visual hide and seek. Players compete to collect the most mission cards to win the game. Great for the whole family, and kids as young as six can play with older kids and parents. More info on Pictureka.

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#1

Nintendo Monopoly – Now You’re Playing With Power! The most recognizable characters in the video game industry have teamed up to bring you the Nintendo Collector’s Edition of the world’s most popular board game, Monopoly. Join Mario, Luigi, Link, Zelda, and Kirby to defeat your opponents and own it all.

Now you can buy, sell and trade your favorite Nintendo characters for a whole new game-playing experience. From everyone’s favorite plumber to barrel-tossing Donkey Kong to bounty hunter Samus, they’re all up for grabs in this exciting, fun-filled adventure. Comes complete with 6 collectible pewter tokens of a Donkey Kong Barrel, Link’s Boots, Hylian Shield, NES Controller, Mario’s Hat, and Koopa Shell. More info on Nintendo Monopoly.

Gone are the days of low rents and paltry fines. In the Monopoly HERE & NOW Edition, the cost of living just increased 10,000-fold- and so could your fortunes.

Grab your laptop token and jet around the board getting ready to make your millions in this 21st Century real estate market!