Monopoly (NES) Playthrough
56,595
Published 2022-07-07
Since the games go quickly, I've included two in this video. The first is a four-player game with me playing against Penelope, Gertrude, and Maude. The second, beginning at 30:20, is an eight-player game.
Six years after the first licensed Monopoly video game had been published for British microcomputers, Parker Brothers released a rendition developed by Sculptured Software in 1991 for the NES, and it brought the game to life more vividly than any prior attempt had dared. Its inclusion of animated player pieces, digitized sound effects, eight-player competition (with optional AI-driven opponents if seven friends weren’t able – or willing – to participate), and customizable game scenarios all served to provide a platform for one of the best board game adaptations ever produced on a home gaming console. Like the original, winning depends on your ability to wheel, deal, and dominate with the intention of being the last one standing.
Though the NES version does not allow for all “house rules” style games, you can modify settings to allow for a game to begin with pre-distributed properties, starting cash totals different from the traditional $1,500, and/or a time-limit if you've got other pressing business to attend to. There are also eight pre-configured scenario-style games if you're looking for a more focused challenge.
The original game is accurately reflected in this digital version, but the real strengths of the NES Monopoly lie with the style on which everything plays out. Each of the classic player tokens are brought to life with personable animations: the cavalryman holds on to the reins as his horse rears back, the thimble hops under the steam of a hidden bunny, etc. Each of the Community Chest and Chance cards feature an animated version of their classic card illustrations. The Go space showers you with cash as you round the corner, and everytime some pays a debt, a cash register swoops in to chomp the bills.
The audio is an excellent match for the graphics, too. The game is loaded with digital samples – a loud train whistle blows when you land on a railroad space, the auctioneer shouts "SOLD!" as he bangs his gavel, and you're warned with a “Don’t be coming back now!” when you are released from jail - there are tons of examples, and they all sound pretty good for the NES. The soundtrack is an assortment of cheerful big band and bluegrass-style themes and ditties that suit the action perfectly, and if given the chance, will lodge themselves deep in your long-term memory. I remember the theme song being used in radio commercials, so it seems like I'm not the only one who was a fan.
It's thirty-one years old now, but it's still more engaging, personable, and fun than any of the Monopoly products Electronic Arts and Ubisoft have shoveled out over the years. Parker Brothers' Monopoly for Nintendo’s 8-bit machine is, in my opinion, one of the absolute best board-to-video game adaptations ever made, and it's one of the best multiplayer games on the NES.
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No cheats were used during the recording of this video.
NintendoComplete (www.nintendocomplete.com/) punches you in the face with in-depth reviews, screenshot archives, and music from classic 8-bit NES games!
All Comments (21)
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Loved the music and sound jingles this game had. I always remembered that “Don’t be coming back now!” voice over when getting out of jail.
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Monopoly is one of my favorite NES titles - if I had a top 25 list, this would be on it. It's one of those games that gets pretty much everything right.
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“Don’t be coming back, now.” (French) “Et ne revenez pas.”
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For years, I could not tell the jailer voice was saying "Don't be coming back, now!" because of how bit crushed and distorted it is. When I was a kid I thought he said, "Don't beat your laybacks now." 😅
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This is the definitive version of the game. The Genesis and SNES versions are GOOD, but the NES version is the only one that is GREAT. I think one of the most overlooked reasons why is actually the pacing. Every other version gets so caught up in animation and fluff that 1 persons turn can wind up taking 30 seconds to a minute. It just makes the entire game feel like a chore rather than fun.
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Had this back in the day. A lot of hours were spent playing this version of the game. I also spent a ton of time playing the 1995 version on PC from Westwood Studios.
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5:24... That spontanious whistle was just out of nowhere. First time playing this I had that same reaction. Now I lol each time that happens.
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Yes, this is so accurate to the original board game and the animations and sounds just make it better. When I can't sleep and wake up during the night I remain in bed and play this on the v90 with one hand!
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Oh, man, I remember my Mom and cousins playing this game all those years ago when I was still a kid, man! Good memories, but the bankruptcy screen scared me back then, too. Good video, man, keep up the good work!
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One of the handful of games I could get my parents to play. This, Caveman games and Palamedes. The cut scenes bring back memories
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29:48 Alex Wins! Congrats! I Did Not Knew That You Would Win! Well Played!
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I remember as a kid singing 🎶Down on your LUUUCK🎶 to the tune that played when the cash register came to eat your money. Still can’t hear it any different 😂
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Wow! This brings back childhood memories of when I played the NES version, and I would play two players, but my opponent would always outwit me and beat me up. Nice jingles and music there. :)
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3:32 what
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Absolutely the best version of this game hands down
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Man this brings back memories! ❤
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Wayyy to much fun playing this, the game was quick and followed the rules exactly as intended. My only complaint is the CPU could be easily tricked, but this game was a lot of fun to play with friends.
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The absolute best Monopoly game
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32:48 is my favourite part
