Using the Force With Star Wars Monopoly

Before we dive into this game I think it's mandatory to set the right mood;

1. Hum the Imperial March, Darth Vader's Theme Song (or set it as a background music by viewing it on Youtube)

2. Relax... Clear your mind... Now inhale (chooo)... Exhale (phaaa) - repeat until you can feel the power of the dark side

Now that you are all fired up...

1. (IV) A New Hope for Monopoly

It was a cold winter's night when my phone rang and a friend invited us to a game of Monopoly as they just bought a Chelsea edition. I'm a sucker for board games and I as Monopoly is in my top 5 I would never say no to a invitation like that. But there's one thing I find as boring as I find this game exciting and it's football both European and US style and as my partner is a hard core Manchester fan you can imagine he wasn't all that thrilled either. I couldn't have imagined how much impact a theme in a board game would have on me and how boring that one was for me... But this lead to something great, something truly beautiful. I knew then if something could bore the heck out of me a themed Monopoly suited to my taste would bring the game to a whole new level. I could feel the force was strong in this one and I just knew I had to have my Star Wars Monopoly.

There were many versions available back then and there are even more available now and as a true Star Wars fan I knew there wasn't any other alternative that to go with the Original Saga edition (the fact it's limited helped too) and I was really lucky to get one for $10 (used one that is)!

2. (V) It Was Time To Strike Back

As soon as the game arrived I gathered all my board gaming friends, including the Chelsea ones who had to admit the craftsmanship of SW figures is superior to the dull looking Chelsea edition ones... Seriously the small figurines are beyond awesome - you can choose from Darth Vader (reserved for me), Boba Fett, Stormtrooper, R2-D32, Leia, Luke, Han or Chewbacca. I do mind the Dark Side is in minority (would love to see the Emperor) but as all of these are really detailed I'm satisfied.

The rules and the game play is the same as with any other Monopoly game it just has a Star Wars twist - you won't be buying fancy streets and districts but famous places and planets from the SW universe. Instead of houses you will be placing your rebel fighters or X wings and hotels are replaced with millenium falcons and starship destroyers. All the treasure and community chests are themed (both in words and illustrations) to match it and you will soon find yourself enjoying the capitalistic journey in a galaxy far far away. You can play this game "solo" or you can take it further by teaming up in a deadly Dark Side vs Light Side match.

3. (VI) Return of the Fun

This game removed all the after-taste left from the football edition and was one of the best board-game-buying decisions ever made. Themed Monopoly is the best thing since they invented... Well Monopoly... It really maximizes the experience and if you are a Star Wars fan you will love this one (or any other SW). I already mentioned the figurines are really awesome but there is so much more awesomeness that must be mentioned. The board has great graphics as each of the "street" fields has a image taken from the movie and the board itself is a space battlefield worthy of admiration. The currency is Star Warsy too and has Imperial graphics on it and as a special treat this game also has 5 unique brass Imperial coins (1000 worth) that add some pizzazz to the game (you will want to save the money so you'll be able to exchange it for a coin).

There are many version out there

I think there's a version for each and every SW fan out there - if you are a true Star Warsie (or something like that) I think you will go with the one I got but you can also go with the newer editions (such as Saga edition, or Episode I...)