When it comes to tabletop games, Monopoly is easily one of the most recognizable. In fact, a Fortune Business Insights report cited Monopoly as one of the highest-selling board games in the world. Originally invented in the early 20th century, Monopoly has continued to be a popular board game throughout the decades, with the central conceit of purchasing properties and collecting money enjoying a sustained appeal among many players worldwide. 

Today, the board game continues to expand with the mobile game version Monopoly Go! earning $1 billion in revenue within seven months after its release. Aside from its mobile version, Monopoly has had numerous editions and collaborations with famous television and movie franchises, introducing exciting twists and unique collectible tokens. Below, we take a look at some popular variations of Monopoly and a couple of the most interesting tokens of the game: 

A few notable Monopoly variations 

While hundreds of Monopoly variations have been released throughout the years, there are a few that stand out. For instance, the game collaborated with the long-running Fox TV show The Simpsons in 2001 to release a special edition featuring characters and locations from the fictional town of Springfield. This edition contained numerous callbacks and references to the delight of the show’s viewers, including iconic places such as Moe’s, Springfield Station, and Barney’s Bowl-A-Rama. The collectible tokens also reference classic Simpsons episodes, which include Homer as a Monorail conductor and Bart wearing a soapbox racer.

In 2003, the release of the Monopoly: The Lord of the Rings edition introduced a unique LOTR spin to the tabletop game. In this variation, players build fortresses and outposts instead of houses and hotels, and participants can use the Ring of Power to get special abilities. Players also get to choose tokens representing a member of The Fellowship for a more immersive experience of J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy world.

Meanwhile, in 2021, the classic board game announced a special edition of Monopoly that featured iconic locations and memorabilia from the Emmy Award-winning comedy show Schitt’s Creek. This version allows players to purchase some of the most famous locations in the show, including Bob’s Garage, the Herb Ertlinger Winery, and the Rosebud Motel. It joins Monopoly’s long line of tie-ins with iconic TV franchises, including The Simpsons and South Park.

Other Monopoly variations are available in the market, with some editions featuring unique and interesting tokens. Here’s a look at some of them: 

Unique tokens

Sunglasses

Monopoly players are no strangers to tokens representing a wardrobe piece, with the classic top hat being a part of the original edition of the tabletop game. In the Schitt’s Creek edition, players can use a unique collectible pair of sunglasses as a token, which is inspired by the character David Rose’s staple sunnies on the show. David’s white cat-eye frames are similar to Prada sunglasses, such as the PR 26ZS and the PR A14S, whose bold shapes and colors echo David’s sassy, eccentric personality. David’s on-screen sunglasses style is even featured in the real-life actor Dan Levy’s collection, adding a unique backstory to the token. 

Three-eyed fish 

Casual players may find a three-eyed fish an absurd choice for a Monopoly token, but for avid viewers of The Simpsons, this fish represents a unique character. In the Monopoly: The Simpsons Collector’s Edition, players can use Blinky, the three-eyed fish, a unique specimen found in the lakes surrounding the nuclear power plant in the fictional town of Springfield. The nuclear power plant led to Blinky’s mutation, causing the fish to have three eyes. This token represents a special callback to the show’s quirky characters and storyline.

Human wizard

In 2021, Monopoly introduced a fantastical spin on its gameplay with the release of the Monopoly: Dungeons & Dragons version. In this edition, players can capture monsters of the Forgotten Realms while selling and trading deadly creatures from the D&D franchise, like Storm Giant and the Demogorgon, to get rich. The game features the Human Wizard token, which represents the supreme, magic-using class of wizards from the original D&D board game. In Dungeons & Dragons, wizards act as controllers or supporters who use their spells to weaken enemies. In this Monopoly version, players can use the Human Wizard token to build up bases and expeditions while collecting D&D currency.

Hedgehog 

In Monopoly: Sonic the Hedgehog Collector’s Edition, the tabletop game paid homage to the most popular American 2D game by featuring a token representing no other than the iconic blue hedgehog himself. This unique token comes with other notable characters from the Sonic videogame series, like Shadow the Hedgehog, Amy Rose, and Knuckles the Echidna. Players can use Sonic the Hedgehog’s token to collect rings (which replaced the usual dollars) and own properties inspired by areas in the Sonic games like Pumpkin Hill and Frog Forest.

Gingerbread 

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any quirkier, Monopoly players can also use a Gingerbread token. This is inspired by Gingy, the gingerbread cookie character from the Shrek film series. Gingy’s token is part of the Monopoly: Shrek Collector’s Edition, released in 2007. In this edition, cottages and castles replace the traditional houses and hotels. Aside from Gingy, players can also use other notable Shrek characters like Puss in Boots, Donkey, and Pinocchio. 

Monopoly’s diverse range of unique and interesting tokens represents the classic board game’s enduring appeal across many franchises. Beyond these memorable tokens, the numerous editions, collaborations, and tie-ins of Monopoly have cemented its status as one of the most iconic tabletop games in the world.

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