Monopoly

The world's most popular board game comes in a wide variety of versions these, with special editions covering everything from children's interests to sports to hobbies and entertainment. They share the same fundamentals of Monopoly: each player is represented by a small pewter token which is moved around the edge of the board according to the roll of two dice. Players take turns in order, as determined by chance before the game. A player's turn consists of rolling two dice and advancing on the board the corresponding number of squares clockwise around the track. Depending on where he/she lands, he/she takes any of a number of actions.

One common criticism of Monopoly is that it has carefully defined yet almost unreachable termination conditions. This is not generally the view of experienced Monopoly players, who are often able to finish the game in under two hours. Many players' childhood memories of Monopoly involve giving up playing the game after a seemingly endless series of hours playing. This problem can be resolved by playing with a time limit and counting each player's net worth when the time is up.

The U.S. version of the "Here and Now Edition," which is due out in the autumn of 2006, will replace Atlantic City landmarks with legendary U.S. streets, neighborhoods and national monuments. Fans were able to vote on the Monopoly website for their favorite landmarks from 22 cities — including New York's Times Square, Chicago's Wrigley Field, Honolulu's Waikiki Beach, Beverly Hills' Rodeo Drive, Phoenix's Camelback Mountain, and San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge. Additionally, the votes determine where each landmark appears on the game board, the city with the most votes landing on the coveted Boardwalk spot. Among other changes, the railroads will be replaced by New York's JFK airport, Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, Los Angeles' LAX and Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson. Property values will rise, money will be in higher denominations and Community Chest and Chance cards will reflect more modern scenarios.

Here's a look at some of the different Monopoly games available today:

Sesame Street 35th Anniversary Collector's Edition Monopoly Board Game: can you tell me how to get to Sesame Street? All your favorite Sesame Street characters take center stage in the first ever MONOPOLY game dedicated to America's favorite street! A must-have for Sesame Street collectors and fans! Ages: 8 and up

MONOPOLY: I Love Lucy "California, Here We Come" Edition: relive Lucy's greatest schemes as you wheel and deal in classic Monopoly style. Travel down memory lane with friends and family as you complete to own 28 of the funniest "I Love Lucy" episodes and ultimately control the "I Love Lucy" enterprise. Who can forget Lucy and Ethel wreaking havoc in the chocolate factory? Or Lucy squishing grapes between her toes? This totally customized game includes 6 collectible pewter tokens (Ricky's Conga Drum, Wine Vat, Loving Cup, Convertible. bottle of Vitameatavegamin, and Ricky's hat). Custom sets and studios replace traditional houses and hotels and the Chance and Community Chest cards, money, and game board are also customized for the ultimate "I Love Lucy" experience. This game is sure to be a hit with Lucy fans of all ages! Ages 8+2 - 6 players.

Disney Pixar Collector's Edition Monopoly Board Game: Woody, Buzz, Sully, Nemo, Flik, Mr. Incredible and their friends have teamed up to bring you the DisneyPixar Collectors Edition of the worlds most famous board game, MONOPOLY!From Andys Room to Sydney Harbor to Edna Modes Mansion, now you can buy, sell and trade the most cherished locations from the first six DisneyPixar films: Toy Story, A Bugs Life, Toy Story 2, Monsters, Inc., Finding Nemo and The Incredibles. All components, including 6 collectible pewter tokens, are completely customized. A must-have for DisneyPixar fans.2-6 PlayersAges 8+MONOPOLY, & 2005 Hasbro. Disney/Pixar

Fantastic Four Collector's Edition Monopoly Board Game: after a traumatic encounter with cosmic rays, Reed Richards, Benjamin Grimm, Susan Storm and Johnny Storm obtained powers that help them to carry out their adventures, discovering secret civilizations, furthering the knowledge of science, and protecting the world from evil. They confront their enemies with tireless resolve, risking everything to keep the world safe. No matter what task they face, they do it as a family.Now players can confront and combat the most dangerous Fantastic Four enemies that stand in the way of their adventures. Buy, sell and trade the likes of Super Skrull, Mephisto and Doctor Doom to thwart their evil schemes, destroy their powers. Control them all in this collectors edition of the worlds most famous board game, MONOPOLY. All components, including 6 collectible pewter tokens, are customized to honor the greatest group of superhuman adventurers. Featuring classic comic book art, this collectors item is a musthave for Fantastic Four enthusiasts.MONOPOLY, & 2005 Hasbro. TM and 2005 Marvel.

Math Smart Card Game - Subtraction: here's an easy, entertaining way to tackle basic subtraction! It's played like simple dominoes but teaches math facts. Each card has a subtraction problem on one half and a boldly circled answer to a different subtraction problem on the other half. Players match the correct answer with the matching problem while forming domino-type patterns with the cards. Includes 100 domino-shaped cards. For 2 to 4 players.

Bibleopoly Monopoly Style Board Game: late For the Sky began producing Bibleopoly in 1991. It quickly became one of the most popular Christian games of all time. It has very unique game play. The object of the game is to be the first player to build a church in one of the Bible cities. In Bibleopoly, you cannot win by destroying your opponents, you can only be the winner by assisting the fellow players. This act of cooperation is what allows you to gain the things neccessary to build your church and be a winner. For 2 to 6 players Ages 8 and up. It takes about 1 hour to play.

Christmas In-A-Box Monopoly Style Board Game: it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Christmas in-a-box is a game filled with all the things that make Christmas the best time of year. Buy properties such as Christmas Cookies, Mistletoe, Sleigh Ride, Fruit Cake or Lump of Coal. Be good or you may be sent to Naughty or end up with a Scrooge Fine! Land on Santa Claus and collect everything in the center of the board! Christmas in-a-box is sure to bring family and friends together for a jolly good time. Perfect for family get-togethers or holiday gift giving. Ages 8 and up for 2 to 6 players

Oceanopoly Monopoly Style Board Game: there's something fishy about OCEANOPOLY. It's all the fun of a large-scale aquarium without having to set it up or clean it! This game features all kinds of ocean life with details about each one on the backs of the deeds. You'll swim around the board as a crab, fish, shark fin, lobster, starfish, or seahorse. Collect your blocks of water and turn them in for the big fish to collect the most sand dollars and win the game! 2 to 6 players Ages 8 and up.

Whoville-opoly Monopoly Style Board Game: is based on Dr. Seuss' How the GRINCH stole Christmas! The Grinch is a curmudgeonly recluse whose heart is two sizes too small. He resides in his cave high atop Mt. Crumpit with his dog Max, and plenty of lettuce juice, extra virgin castor oil and sour milk for sustenance. If you're hungry for humbug, he's the special of the day! Annoyed by the out-of-control Christmas festivities in Whoville, the Grinch conspires to deprive the Whos of their favorite holiday, but comes to learn that the spirit of Christmas goes much deeper than tinsel and colored lights. Here's a quick idea of how to play the game: Buy property. Collect Who presents and trade them in for a Who tree. It sounds easy enough-but along the way the doctor may find spiders in your soul, you may get stuck on Mt. Crumpit in a snowstorm... and if things go really bad, you may even become a Whovenile Delinquent, making it a little more difficult and a lot more fun! So grab your token, roll the dice, and advance to Welcome to Whoville! Who knows? You may become the Holiday Cheermeister and get to carve the rare Roast Beast. Whoville-opoly is sure to show even the Grinchiest the true meaning of Christmas! Traditional play or one hour version. 2 to 6 players Ages 8 and up.

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