Traditional Monopoly has also been released in travel sized variants since 1984. During this time, Waddington’s also made travel versions of other games they owned such as Cluedo.
1984
Despite the smaller flat square box, the contents are full sized Monopoly pieces with a full sized board which folds into four. Travel games – especially Monopoly can be accused of being too small to use, however, this 1984 version eliminates this issue. While being the largest of the travel games, this is my favourite version, as apart from the box, it is a full sized traditional Monopoly.
Compared to regular Junior editions, there is only one attraction in each colour group. When landing on an unowned property, you must purchase it. Landing on it again allows you to buy a second Ticket Booth – doubling the rent. Chance cards are replaced by a spinner. Otherwise, gameplay remains the same
In 1991, Monopoly Junior was released to the UK Market. Classic Monopoly was advertised as a board game for ages 8 and above, whereas, Monopoly Junior is designed for ages 5 to 8. Monopoly Junior can be played with 2, 3 or 4 players. Despite many changes to the box design, and small cosmetic modifications to the contents, the game was unchanged from release in 1991 until 2011.
The rules are as follows: All players choose a colour and take that colour’s car token and 10 ticket booths (12 for a two player game). Each player receives £31 (5x £1, 4x £2, 3x £3, 1x £4 and 1x £5).
Players then take turn moving around the board with one die. If you land on an amusement without a ticket booth, you must purchase the attraction by paying the fee and placing your coloured ticket booth on the space. If you land on an amusement with a different colour ticket booth, you must pay rent. Rent is the purchase price (or double if they own both in the colour set).
Instead of purchasing railways, landing on this space allows you to roll again. Landing on ‘Fireworks’, ‘Water Show’ or ‘Take a trip to the cafe’ means you have to pay a fee, which is placed in Rich Uncle Pennybag’s loose change (later Mr Monopoly) – this can be won by landing on his square.
The game ends when one player goes bankrupt, all players then add up their cash totals and whoever has the most is declared the winner.
1991
1996
The box has changed shape from long to square. This change can still be seen with the latest release of Monopoly Junior. The board shape changes from square to rectangular. This change survives until 2013 when the board changes for the first time.
2001
Slight redesign, although the game remains identical. Rich Uncle Pennybags has been rebranded to Mr Monopoly. This was the first Monopoly in my collection.
2011
The 2011 release has an error on all boxes. The game is mistakenly labelled as for 2 to 8 players and 8 years and up. This was the label seen on classic Monopoly sets. Junior is normally for ages 5 to 8. However, stating that this game can be played with up to 8 players is impossible.
The game would significantly change for the next release in 2013.
Waddington’s was acquired by Hasbro in 1994. The next release in 1996 introduced the standard sized box. 2006 saw the first square box, the box type currently used to this day. The significant change was the tokens. In this era, Monopoly was advertised for up to eight players. The new line-up include: Thimble, Hat, Iron, Racecar, Boot, Battleship, Wheelbarrow, Dog, Cannon and Horse & Rider. The last two would be dropped just 12 years later in 2008.
1996 – 2006 tokens
1996
2002
2003
Identical production code to ‘2003 – Quick Rules’. The only difference is the side of the box.
From 1957, the Box & Board editions were phased out with a long box which contained the board as well as the pieces. Each edition sees slight variance – mainly with regards to the Chance & Community Chest cards. The photographs best show the evolution. Once again all dates are estimates. The following six tokens would also become a mainstay of the Long Red Box – with the introduction of the Dog
1957
Last standard Monopoly edition to feature the 6 flat metal tokens, as well as wooden houses and hotels.
1961
The six tokens return to the line-up. Although, I have also seen red long box editions with the previous six flat metal tokens used a few years prior.
1962
1972 – John Waddington Ltd
The board is unusually folded between Marylebone and Liverpool St Station across the Monopoly logo, as opposed to the usual Kings Cross to Fenchurch St Station.
1972 – Waddingtons House of Games Rebrand
There are very few differences between this edition and the previous 1972 edition. Both contains the same pieces and design. Before 1984, John Waddington Ltd was rebranded to Waddingtons House of Games. The box reflects this change even if the design remains identical. Now ‘Manufactured in England’ rather than ‘Manufactured in Great Britain’. Also interesting is that the board has changed back to being folded through Marylebone and Liverpool St Station, and is now folded through Kings Cross and Fenchurch St Station.
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