Which Monopoly Edition to Give? Junior, Deal, Signature, Christmas

Give Monopoly Junior to children aged 5 to 7, the classic Monopoly board game (item C1009) to families with players 8 and up, and Monopoly Deal when the group wants a 15-minute card game. For a keepsake, choose the Signature Collection; for adults who want a Christmas game, the Christmas Vacation edition is rated 15 and up.

Monopoly editions compared by age and players

Monopoly editions differ most in the age on the box, the number of players and how long a game runs. Hasbro makes the core editions; The Op publishes themed editions under license from Hasbro.

Monopoly Junior for children aged 5 to 7

Monopoly Junior is Hasbro’s simple introduction to the game, rated for ages 5 and up and 2 to 4 players. The box holds 4 Junior tokens, 20 Chance cards, 48 Sold signs, 90 Monopoly banknotes and a single die. Wikipedia dates the first Junior edition to 1990.

Hasbro labels the game a choking hazard for children under 3 because of its small parts. For other first games, see board games for kids by age.

The classic Monopoly board game for family nights

The classic Monopoly board game (C1009) is rated for ages 8 and up and 2 to 6 players. Hasbro lists 8 tokens, noting that the tokens may vary, plus 28 title deed cards, 16 Chance and 16 Community Chest cards, 32 houses, 12 hotels and 2 dice.

Give the classic edition to someone who wants the game they grew up with. How Monopoly began, from The Landlord’s Game to Parker Brothers, is told on the classic board games page.

Monopoly Deal: the 15-minute card game

Monopoly Deal (E3113) is Hasbro’s card game version, and Hasbro says a game takes about 15 minutes. It comes with 110 cards, including property, rent, house, hotel and wild property cards, for 2 to 5 players aged 8 and up.

The first player to collect three complete property sets in different colors wins. The box is small enough for a stocking, so it sits well beside the picks in small card games for stocking stuffers.

Ultimate Banking and Cheaters Edition for groups who want a twist

Ultimate Banking Edition (B6677) replaces paper money with an electronic banking unit that uses tap technology. Each player gets a bank card that tracks their fortune, and 23 Event cards replace Chance and Community Chest. It takes 2 to 4 players, ages 8 and up, and needs three AAA batteries that are not included.

Cheaters Edition (E1871) rewards cheating when you get away with it. Hasbro lists it for 2 to 6 players, ages 8 and up, with 15 Cheat cards and a plastic cuff that chains a caught cheater to the Jail space. 6abc’s report on the launch noted the edition has no designated banker, so players pay themselves on the honor system.

Monopoly Signature Collection as a keepsake gift

The Monopoly Signature Collection (F8706) is Hasbro’s premium version of the classic game, for 2 to 6 players aged 8 and up. Hasbro describes a vintage-inspired gameboard, zinc tokens with a bronze finish, and wooden dice, houses and hotels, with in-box storage for the pieces.

Pick it for someone who already owns a worn standard copy.

Christmas Monopoly: the Christmas Vacation edition

The Christmas Monopoly made for adults is National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Edition, published by The Op under license from Hasbro. It went on sale in September 2023, for 2 to 6 players aged 15 and up. Tokens include a Dry Turkey, a Chainsaw, a Squirrel and a Marty Moose Eggnog Glass, and houses and hotels become Decorations and Christmas Spirit.

Family Guy Edition followed in May 2024, for 2 to 6 players aged 14 and up, with six tokens including Rupert and Evil Monkey. Age ratings on licensed editions vary widely: The Op’s Squishmallows edition is rated 8 and up. Read the box before giving one to a younger player.

How to check a Monopoly edition before you buy

Monopoly is reprinted often, so a listing title alone does not tell you which edition is in the box.

1. Match the item number (C1009, E3113, F8706 and so on) to the maker’s page.
2. Check the player count and the age on the box against the people who will play.
3. For Ultimate Banking, buy AAA batteries with the gift.
4. Buy new and sealed for a present, and read our guide to spotting a counterfeit board game first.

For a mystery fan, compare the Clue editions instead. The classic board game gifts section also covers cribbage and backgammon, and which chess set to give covers board and piece sizes. For more ideas by who is playing, try the board game gift finder or the main board game gifts guide.