Best Board Games Like Monopoly

Whether you love the game or not, Monopoly has been around for literal decades and is one of, if not the best-selling tabletop games of all time. Celebrating its 90th birthday next year in 2025, the Monopoly franchise has sold hundreds of millions of copies, seen around 1500 different iterations, been translated into 46 different languages and released across 113 countries. Although the base game board has been altered several times and been through a few different publishers, it has firmly ingrained itself into both pop culture, and the board gaming hobby.

Whilst it’s longevity should be admired, it certainly is one of the most polarizing board games out there. It’s become a firm family favourite over the years thanks to its simple rules and mechanics and is certainly very accessible to casual gamers and those new to the hobby. On the other hand, it’s those factors that in part have caused the more serious gamers to grow a distaste towards the game, citing it as a little too simplistic. With the market being how it is however, there are plenty of other alternatives for those that enjoy certain aspects of Monopoly but want something a little different.

Below are a handful of games that take certain elements of Monopoly but add a little something extra or put a twist on the classic rules to make it feel just that bit different. These board games like Monopoly are perfect for fans of classic strategy games.

Top Board Games Like Monopoly

Monopoly Junior

By: Hasbro Gaming   Players: 2-4     Time: 30-45 Minutes     Ages: 5+

One for the younger gamers, Monopoly Junior takes the classic games rules and adjusts them to make the game more accessible for smaller children. The premise remains the same, where players try to acquire as many properties and as much money as possible in order to win, but doing so is much simpler than in traditional Monopoly.

The game comes with a smaller board that’s easier and quicker to manoeuvre around and bank notes representing just one figure rather than several. These two factors combined make the game much more streamlined, reducing the game time significantly and making keeping track of finances much easier for younger gamers too. Everything in the box is colourful and vibrant, from the different locations on the board, to the player pieces, creating a visually stimulating experience for players.

Somewhat similarly to the original game, if a player runs out of money to buy properties or pay rent then they’re out of the game. Whoever is left with the most cash at the end is declared the winner. A great, quick, and simple game for younger players and families.

Monopoly Gamer

By: Hasbro Gaming    Players: 2-4     Time: 45-60 minutes     Ages: 8+

A different take on traditional Monopoly, Monopoly Gamer pits familiar video game characters against each other as they try to score as many points as possible. Running around the Mushroom Kingdom, players will visit familiar locations that they can purchase and use special powers to hinder their opponents.

Monopoly Gamer puts less emphasis on the financial aspect of Monopoly and more on gaining the highest score possible. Just like in normal Monopoly players will visit various locations that they can purchase if they have enough coins, but in Gamer, they’ll also gain points for acquiring them. At the end of a lap, everyone gets the opportunity to fight a boss, gaining even more points and a special boon for beating them. Along with superstar spaces and a special bonus dice that activates each characters unique ability, the game is just different enough to not feel like Monopoly.

Monopoly Gamer is a fun alternative to Monopoly that stands on it’s own well. There are three different versions and plenty of characters to play as. The only downside is it seemed like there were going to be other iterations that sadly never got made, but it would have been interesting to see where the series went if they had.

The Game Of Life

By: Hasbro Gaming     Players: 2-4     Time: 60 minutes     Ages: 8+

A classic alternative to Monopoly, The Game Of Life sees players go through various life events and try to acquire as many assets as possible by the end of the game. It’s a game full of decisions that can make a huge impact on just how successful a player can be.

Whilst still a basic and linear game like Monopoly, The Game Of Life is a good alternative for those looking for a simple game to play for players of all ages. Players will navigate their way around the board but instead of dice, a spinner is used to dictate how many spaces a player moves. As players move around the board they’ll come across intersections where a decision needs to be made, like whether to attend college or not, which will in turn affect the different kinds of career cards that can be drawn. The game takes players through all kinds of big events like getting married, raising a family, buying a home, and even working and retiring. Whoever has earned the most money and accumulated the most assets by the end of the game will be declared the winner.

Whilst not any more challenging than Monopoly, The Game Of Life is still a fun game that isn’t mentally challenging but is enjoyable for all ages.

Machi Koro

By: Pandasaurus Games     Players: 2-4     Time: 30 minutes     Ages: 10+

Machi Koro charges players with the responsibility of building up the eponymous city, creating buildings that serve all kinds of purposes, culminating in erecting four different landmarks to win the game.

Machi Koro is played predominantly with cards, each representing a different building that each has its own purpose. Each building is a different colour and is worth a different value. When a player has enough coins they can purchase the building of their choice for their city. Each turn players roll dice, and when the number rolled corresponds with a building in their or another players possession it’s ability potentially activates. This can result in the player gaining coins from the bank or another player and depending on the colour of the card will activate on the active player, opponents, or anyone’s turn. Although the concept of the game is simple, there’s a good degree of strategy mixed with a fair amount of luck. Knowing what types of buildings to focus on is key to winning, but the roll of the dice still plays a large part in a players success.

The game shares some similarities with Monopoly in that your goal is to accumulate many different properties and gain as much wealth as possible, but it’s just that little bit different that it’s fresh and interesting. The rules are simple enough to make the game accessible for most, but it adds significantly more strategy than what Monopoly would.

Catan

By: Kosmos     Players: 3-4     Time: 60-120 minutes     Ages: 10+

A modern classic, players trade, build, and create settlements across the isle of Catan. Competing for resources, developing cities, and trying to avoid the robber, whoever can gain ten victory points first is the winner.

Catan has become one of the most popular games in the last twenty years and it’s easy to see why. Played over a board made up of randomly selected hexes, each numbered and representing a different kind of terrain, players try to expand their reach by creating settlements and roads. As they do so they’ll be able to access more resources, which are gained from rolling dice and being adjacent to the space representing the dice roll. These can be used to upgrade settlements and buy development cards, both of which will eventually lead to victory points. If a player lacks the necessary resources, they can always take a gamble and try to trade with other players, but this sometimes can benefit the opponent more than the player.

Catan is both a great gateway game and excellent for experienced gamers alike. Balancing solid gameplay mechanics with a great sense of strategy and social engagement, it has a lot to offer and is a great replacement of Monopoly, mimicking certain gameplay elements and offering something entirely different at the same time.

Food Chain Magnate

By: Lucky Duck Games     Players: 2-5     Time: 120-240 minutes     Ages: 14+

Rather than owning properties, Food Chain Magnate puts players in charge of owning and developing a chain of fast-food restaurants. Starting as an entrepreneur, players will hire and train staff and complete various milestones as the game progresses.

The game is played predominantly with cards rather than a board and players take part in every aspect of running a restaurant, including the marketing of the restaurant, as well as training and hiring staff. At it’s core it’s a strategy-heavy, resource management game, with each member of staff serving an important purpose, which in turn leads to players generating more revenue, and being able to operate more efficiently and build a bigger empire. Literally every little detail is up to you as the player and you get to make influential decisions that will steer the course of the game. When the game is over, whoever has earned the most money is the winner.

Food Chain Magnate is probably the most rule-heavy game on the list but don’t let that put you off, as it’s still a rewarding game and one that will appeal heavily to strategy enthusiasts.

There are plenty of other games similar to Monopoly out there, but these are some of the better ones to get you started. If there’s any others that you enjoy playing that we haven’t listed here, we’d love to hear all about them.

What Makes a Game Similar to Monopoly?

Games similar to Monopoly typically share certain characteristics that make them appealing to fans of economic simulation and strategic planning. These games often involve buying and trading properties, collecting rent, and managing resources to achieve financial success. Here are some common features of Monopoly-like games:

• Economic Simulation: Players manage resources, make financial decisions, and balance budgets to achieve their goals. This aspect adds a layer of realism and complexity, making the gameplay more engaging.

• Strategic Planning: Success in these games often requires careful planning and strategy. Players must think ahead, anticipate their opponents’ moves, and make decisions that will benefit them in the long run.

• Property Management: Just like in Monopoly, players buy, sell, and trade properties to accumulate wealth and control. This element adds a competitive edge as players vie for the most valuable assets.

• Resource Management: Managing resources, such as money, materials, or labor, is crucial to achieving success. Players must allocate their resources wisely to maximize their gains.

• Negotiation and Trading: Interaction with other players through negotiation and trading is a key component. Players must strike deals and trade strategically to achieve their objectives.

These elements combine to create a gameplay experience that is both challenging and rewarding, making these games popular among board game enthusiasts.

Classic Board Games

Classic board games like Monopoly have been around for decades and have become staples of family game nights. These games have stood the test of time and continue to be enjoyed by people of all ages. Here are some classic board games that share similarities with Monopoly:

• Acquire: This game of strategic investment and corporate mergers challenges players to build the most successful hotel chains. Players buy and trade stocks, merge companies, and aim to control the most valuable properties.

• Lords of Vegas: In this game, players build and manage casinos on the Las Vegas Strip. They must balance risk and reward, making strategic decisions to expand their empire and outmaneuver their opponents.

• Suburbia: A city-building game where players develop residential, commercial, and industrial areas. The goal is to create a thriving metropolis by managing resources and making strategic decisions.

• Machi Koro: This fast-paced game involves city building and resource management. Players roll dice to collect income, purchase establishments, and construct landmarks to win the game.

These classic board games offer a variety of gameplay experiences that are similar to Monopoly, making them perfect for family game nights and gatherings.

Modern Board Games for Board Game Enthusiasts

Modern board games offer a fresh take on the classic Monopoly formula, featuring new mechanics, themes, and gameplay elements that appeal to board game enthusiasts. Here are some modern board games that are similar to Monopoly:

• Ticket to Ride: In this game, players build train routes across a map, connecting cities and completing destination tickets. The game emphasizes route management and strategic planning, offering a dynamic and engaging experience.

• Carcassonne: A tile-laying game where players build a medieval landscape, claiming cities, roads, and fields. The game involves area control and strategic placement of tiles to maximize points.

• Galaxy Trucker: Players build and manage spaceships, navigating through space and facing various challenges. The game combines resource management with a unique spaceship-building mechanic.

• Century: Spice Road: This game focuses on spice trading and resource management. Players collect and trade spices, aiming to fulfill contracts and earn the most points.

These modern board games provide innovative and exciting gameplay experiences, making them a great choice for board game enthusiasts looking for something new.

Games That Offer a Twist on Monopoly

Games that offer a twist on Monopoly often feature unique mechanics, themes, or gameplay elements that set them apart from the classic game. Here are some games that offer a twist on Monopoly:

• Boganology: This game combines Australian trivia and culture with traditional board game mechanics. Players answer trivia questions and navigate the board, making it a fun and educational experience.

• Waterfall Park: A game of trading and negotiation where players develop a scenic park. The game emphasizes strategic trading and resource management, offering a fresh take on property management.

• For Sale: A fast-paced game of bidding and property management. Players bid on properties and then sell them for profit, requiring strategic planning and quick decision-making.

• QE: An auctioning and resource management game where players bid unlimited amounts of money. The twist is that the player who spends the most money is eliminated, adding a unique strategic element.

These games introduce creative twists to the traditional Monopoly gameplay, making them exciting and engaging alternatives.

Games That Are Great for Making the Most Money

Games that are great for making the most money often feature economic simulation, strategic planning, and a focus on accumulating wealth. Here are some games that are great for making the most money:

• Brass Birmingham: A game of industrialization and economic growth. Players develop industries, build networks, and strategically connect their industries to make more money.

• Food Chain Magnate: This game focuses on business management and resource allocation. Players run fast-food chains, hire and train staff, and complete milestones to generate revenue and build a successful empire.

• Ark Nova: A zoo-building game where players manage resources and develop their zoo. The game involves strategic planning and resource management to create the most successful zoo.

• Underwater Cities: Players build and manage underwater cities, balancing resources and making strategic decisions to thrive. The game emphasizes city building and resource management, offering a challenging and rewarding experience.

These games offer a range of gameplay experiences that are similar to Monopoly, but with unique twists and mechanics. Whether you’re a fan of classic board games or modern board games, there’s something on this list for everyone.

FAQ: Board Games Like Monopoly