Monopoly Junior

• Platform: IBM PC Compatible
• Release Date: November 22, 1999
• Genre: Traditional
• Style: Board Game
• Similar Games: Monopoly Deluxe (IBM PC Compatible), Monopoly Star Wars (IBM PC Compatible), Monopoly World Cup France 98 Edition (IBM PC Compatible), Risk II (IBM PC Compatible), Monopoly Casino (IBM PC Compatible), Monopoly (IBM PC Compatible), Chutes and Ladders (IBM PC Compatible)

Game Description

You've landed on a railroad and decide to go ahead and buy it. You then come to the Fireworks Show and must pay two dollars to watch. And now you want to pass "Go," but you have to contribute three dollars to Mr. Monopoly's "Loose Change" and then have your lunch -- so much for having your cake and eating it too! Before you move onto the next lot, why not have some fun in this elaborate Amusement Park, where you'll have the opportunity to win some cash from the mini-games inside.

Better yet, make your move to any of the following: a water slide, helicopter ride, roller coaster, a Ferris Wheel, bumper cars, a merry-go-round, miniature golf, or even a haunted house. Does this sound like Monopoly to you? Well, not exactly. It's Monopoly Junior by Hasbro Interactive, where Mr. Monopoly is here to help you earn amusement real estate! He's standing on the Boardwalk and will roll the dice and guide you along the way if you need an explanation of the game in any of its amusing situations.

Based on the classic Monopoly board game, Monopoly Junior comes to life on your PC in a fabulous environment filled with animation and characters where you can buy rides, set up ticket booths, collect money from other players and even play eight mini-games. The game ends when someone runs out of money and the player with the most money is declared the winner. You can play alone or with up to three other friends!

Chance Cards send you around the board in a video presentation where you'll be able to see the entire amusement park! Each player starts off with a wallet containing $31 and you'll hear a cash register sound signaling when other players land on one of your amusements, thus owing you a fee or whenever you pass "Go" to collect two dollars. When your wallet is open, simple clicking actions let you pay entrance fees to another player or contribute to Mr. Monopoly's "Loose Change."

Roots & Influences

Based on the very long and successful history of the original board game.

Review: Overall

Ah, good old Monopoly... Wait a minute -- what's this fun theme park doing here? Why, it's the backbone of Monopoly Junior, a spin-off of the original classic board game. It's got your basic board layout and all the features are here like Chance Cards, Passing Go, and even the Railroad spots. However, everything's been turned into an amusement park, including the names of the streets. Also, instead of going to jail, you go to lunch! This game is definitely designed for children, but anyone can have fun with it.

The graphics are nice and colorful although they are pre-rendered. There's a lot of animation going on at all times, lending to the fun theme of an amusement park. Mr. Monopoly is well animated as he dances, runs, or rolls the dice in different, humorous ways. Although it may appear simple, this may be one of the best 2D animated board games of 1999. Unfortunately, video clips, like those of the fireworks or roller coaster, contain a lot of compression.

Mr. Monopoly guides you through the entire game by talking to you whenever it's your turn or when you need instructions on how to play any of the several mini-games. He'll also constantly remind you of your current situation whenever you're idling (away from the computer). There are funny theme park sounds and other ambient noise, such as roller coaster riders screaming, or the crowd's rumble. There isn't much music, but there are some short tunes that are appropriate to a real amusement park.

Although the basic Monopoly game remains intact, some of the rules are completely different. For example, the money system doesn't use bills higher than five dollars.Also, there is no option offered for the amusement spots on the board, and therefore you are forced to buy. If you're careless with your money, then your buying power runs out rather quickly. At least you don't start out with zero dollars! Last but not least, ticket booths replace houses and mansions and the only tokens you get to choose from are cars with different colors.

The mini-games are perhaps unnecessary because they're not really part of the game itself. However, that's exactly the point -- they are a diversion and they do help you gain more money. Also, they happen to be one of the best parts about the game, although they too are just two-dimensional. There is a game where you need to get a boy across the road, which is almost like Frogger except a little more violent, because a human child can get crushed by a car!

If you're looking for a spin on one of the most popular board games in the world, Monopoly Junior will satiate that craving for all that is new. Your kids will love you for it! But if you're the serious Monopoly player, this release will only appear as just fun and games. It doesn't hurt to try it though -- you might be in for a wild ride!

Review: Enjoyment

For a kid this is a delight. For an adult this is still quite fun and simple.

Review: Graphics

This game squeezes the juice out of 2D graphics with crazy animation and colorful exuberance.

Review: Sound

Mr. Monopoly talks a lot and his voice is very clear. There is a nice ambience of amusement park sounds.

Review: Replay Value

Like its father {*Monopoly}, {*Junior} can be played over and over again. Just don't expect to get into that real estate mood because you'll be having fun riding that roller coaster instead!

Review: Documentation

26 pages of clear and easy to read details, including some black and white pictures.

Production Credits