Monopoly Gamer - The Mario Edition Review

Guest Blog Post by Jack @ThePnutbean ​

Blinded eyes finally saw, after faceless streets and bolted doors, the dreaded hand conquers all. We watched a myriad of lonely smiles reflect our own, as isolations palm clutched our chest. And as the doors unlatch; let us embrace and socialise. Let us game together. Let us play Monopoly Gamer -- the Hasbro classic with Nintendo characters. But is this a senseless cash grab or does Nintendo’s design philosophy flow through it? I shall elaborate.

The usual Monopoly mechanics are here: go around a board earning money to buy properties (no houses or hotels) so you can charge rent. Nevertheless, the aim isn’t to crush your opponent economically. Instead, whoever has the highest score wins. Properties and money add to your final score, but so do defeating bosses. Each time you Pass Go, you can pay the Bank to start a boss fight. You battle via a die check displayed on the Boss Card, and if you’re successful, you keep the card along with its points. There are ten Boss Cards and when you defeat or fold the last boss, the game ends.

All the properties display levels from New Super Mario Bros, along with Warp Pipes, Coin Blocks and Thwomps. However, the Go to Jail/Just Visiting space remains the same. But where the Nintendo magic lies is in the Super Star spaces.

There’s four characters to choose from: Mario, Peach, Yoshi and Donkey Kong; other characters are available to purchase. Unlike traditional Monopoly, characters have unique powers. For example, if Peach lands on a Super Star, she collects from the bank rent for each property she owns. Yet Donkey Kong’s Super Star power is stealing three coins from every player. Likewise, players use a Power-up Die on their turn. This allows you to fire Green and Red Shells, send Blooper to steal coins or use a Pow. But each character has a unique Power-up Die bonus. So, as every player can fire a Green Shell forward, however Yoshi has the unique option to throw it backwards. So, is Monopoly Gamer a senseless cash grab? ​No.

Monopoly Gamer - The Mario Edition

Monopoly Gamer strips the traditional formula to its essentials and adds that Nintendo sprinkle of fun. You’ll be firing shells, stealing coins, and fighting bosses in that frantic Nintendo way where both children and adults can enjoy; whilst never overstaying its welcome — a problem with traditional Monopoly. Also, the boss system is a great introduction for inexperienced board game players to understand a dice check. So, next time you have friends or family around, why not whip out Monopoly Gamer for a quick, wholesome laugh.

And we all need to absorb ourselves in others' laughter. It’s easy to escape in the digital realm, but that causes us to neglect those who support us. Video games have saved my soul, but they’ve drowned it; opportunities passed, and memories vanished. Don’t wave life goodbye. Live.
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Guest Blog Post by Jack @ThePnutbean​

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