5 Best Board Games Like Monopoly
If you just love Monopoly, but you feel like you need to try something new, then you are in the right place. Maybe you want a new game that can suit younger kids, or that moves a little faster. Whatever the reason is, you may now ask yourself if there are board games like Monopoly.
Well, there are a lot of board games that are similar to Monopoly out there to choose from.
In this article, we will mention the 5 Best Board Games Like Monopoly; those games share some of the best parts of Monopoly but also have fun and interesting twists that can add something new to your table.
Catan Board Game
Players : 3-4
Ages: 10+
Game Time: 60 minutes
Complexity: Medium
Release Year: 2015
In Catan, you will claim land and the dice rolls influence the income, just like in Monopoly. But the variation here is that you will not claim streets in a big city; instead, you will build cities and settlements on Catan island.
The Settlers of Catan, now called Catan, is a game that revolves around settling, trading, and building. In this game, you will take the role of a settler who will try to establish his settlement on Catan island.
The game’s goal is simple; you will trade goods, build roads, and create permanent settlements to strengthen your territory. The first player who earns 10 victory points in his turn will be the winner.
It is a strategy game; to reach your goal, you need careful planning and decision-making. But also, there is a luck factor in the game, as which resources the player will draw is determined by the dice rolls. This game is a great choice for those who enjoy the mix of strategy, luck, and fantasy.
The Catan board game is for players from 10 years old and up, so it can be an entertaining and unique way to teach your kids about business and leadership concepts. Also, there are expansions available for those who have mastered the base game and want some extra challenge.
Pros
Strategy board game
Interactive gameplay
Teach business and trading concepts to kids
A lot of expansion sets are available
Accessible game
Competitive gameplay
Cons
It might not be challenging enough for more experienced gamers.
Not ideal for two players
Final Thoughts
If you enjoy board games about building societies, trading, and harvesting crops, then the Catan Board Game is a great choice for you. It has 60 minutes of playing time and can accommodate up to 4 players; it is a great game for a family game night. It is also a great way for kids to learn how to trade and do business while having a lot of fun at the same time.
Power Grid Deluxe Board Game
Players: 2-6
Ages: 13+
Game Time: 90 minutes
Complexity: Medium
Release Year: 2014
The Power Grid deluxe version and the original version are the same, except that the deluxe version comes with new components like a double-sided board presenting Europe and North America. And there are also newly customized wooden parts and an entire deck of new power plants to provide the players with a more exciting experience.
Since this game has almost the same gameplay, the objective is still to supply the cities with power by building plants, networks, and routers. There are different resources in this game, like oil, coal, and natural gas. How to manage your resources is all up to you. At the end of the game, the one who supplies the greatest number of cities will be the winner.
Power Grid Deluxe Board Game can accommodate up to 6 players; it is a great choice to add some fun to your parties and for friend gatherings. And it has a playing time of 90 minutes so it will provide you with a long time of fun.
Pros
The Deluxe version provides more fun and interesting experience.
Best played with more than 3 gamers.
The game tests your analytical and strategic skills.
Great tabletop games for parties
Cons
The game rules may be a bit complicated for children and beginners.
Final Thoughts
If you want commerce-style games with more engine-building, then the Power Grid Deluxe Board Game is a great choice. In this game, you will build power grids and connect towns and cities to bring them to life while still making a profit. To reach your goal, you need a good strategy, forward-thinking, and also to make good deals.
Ticket to Ride Board Game
Players: 2-5
Ages: 8+
Game Time: 30-60 minutes
Complexity: Medium
Release Year: 2007
Ticket to Ride is another game that is similar to Monopoly. in this game; players aim to monopolize the board with their routes.
The goal of this game is simple; each player will draw and play matching train cards to claim railway routes that connect cities throughout North America. The railroads vary in length; the longer the routes are, the more points you will get
With every route you build and the city you connect, you will earn points and take a step ahead to victory. Also, you get additional points if you can fulfill your destination tickets or if you build the longest continuous route. At the end of the game, the player with the highest score will be the winner.
The ticket to Ride board game has a nice mix of strategy and simple gameplay. It is recommended for 8 years olds and up; you can play it with your kids to have a fun time while teaching them about the places and cities in North America.
Pros
Fun strategy board game
Easy learning curve
Expansions available
An excellent gateway game
Family board game
Cons
Requires space for all the pieces
The element of luck
Final Thoughts
If you prefer board games with a travel theme, then the Ticket to Ride board game is a good choice. It has 30-60 minutes of playtime; it is a great choice for a fun family game night. It is not only fun but also educational as well. It is an entertaining way to teach your kids about geography and the cities of North America.
Monopoly Deal
Players: 2-5
Ages: 8+
Game Time: 15 Minutes
Complexity: Low
Release Year: 2019
If your family loves to play Monopoly but doesn’t like how long it takes, then the card game Monopoly Deal may be what you want. It is a quick game that can be finished in just 15 minutes.
This game takes the best traits of Monopoly and boils them down into a simple, quick card game. Monopoly Deal is a portable game that does not need much room to play. It is a great game to carry for trips, camping, and traveling.
In this game, you are still paying or collecting money from other players. And you are still collecting properties in order to win.
Monopoly Deal comes with some action cards that feature some tricky abilities. For instance, you can use those cards to deny trades or to steal properties from the owner. So this game offers many ways to mess with your opponents and ruin their plans. This keeps the game much more exciting. In order to win the game, you must collect three sets of property cards in different colors.
Pros
Easy to learn
The cards have really clear instructions
Plays really well with different player counts.
Quick gameplay
Easy to transfer
Inexpensive
Has easy access for new players.
The hand/table management elements.
Cons
It has super simple rules, not for experienced gamers who like more complex games.
Final Thoughts
If you love the game of Monopoly but want something more streamlined and quicker, the Monopoly deal will be a great choice. It is for players eight years old and up and can take up to 5 players. It is a great choice for a quick family game night, for parties, or even for a quick game during lunch break.
Pay Day: The Classic Edition
Players: 2-4
Ages: 8+
Game Time: 40-65 minutes
Complexity: Low
Release Year: 2006
Pay Day board game is an interactive and fun way to teach your kids the budgeting fundamentals and other topics related to it. Do not worry, though; it is a more fun way than the actual budgeting.
This classic board game is a one-month calendar with 31 days. The gamers will determine the number of months they will play before starting the game. In each player’s turn, he will move along the calendar dates and draw cards according to the date (space) on the game board.
During the game, each player can make deals on property and earn cash, but also he will accumulate different bills and expenses to pay. Each time pay day rolls around ( At the end of each month), each player will get his salary, but also he has to deal with any bills. At the end of the game, the player who has the most money will be the winner.
Pay Day is similar to the Monopoly board game in many aspects, such as earning and paying money. And in order for the player to move along the game board, he has to roll dice. Also, both games have the same major goal, which is earning the most money.
The Pay Day game has the chance element as well. For example, you could draw a mail card that includes an unexpected bill. Those small twists make the game experience more interesting and provide something new every time you play it.
You kids will enjoy this game, but knowing how to do basic addition and subtraction can be really helpful unless they get some help from an adult.
Pros
A Great game for Social Interaction
It teaches the kids about adding/budgeting
Easy to learn
The gameplay is similar to Monopoly
Cons
Kids need to know how to do basic math.
Final Thoughts
Pay Day is an easy-to-learn game that is designed for players from 8 years old and above. If you want your children to learn personal finance while having fun at the same time, this game will be a great choice. It can accommodate up to four players, so even the parents can join and have some fun with their kids.
