Monopoly Junior (PC)

Monopoly the board game, has been around since 1935. Many versions have been made. Then a junior version was made. Shortly like the main game the junior version was also made to play on the PC and here is my review on it.

Monopoly is made by Hasbro.
The PC version is by Infogrammes.

You can get technical support by visiting their website:
www.gsp.cc,

or by writing to
GSP
Meadow Lane
St Ives
Cambs
PE27 4LGSystem Requirements:
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Windows 95/98/ME/XP*
Pentium 166 MHz or higher
32MB RAM
2MB Video Card
Soundblaster Compatible Sound Card.

*XP requires an update for the game to work but this is included on the CD.

Now I had planned to play the game whilst writing this review to hopefully give you a good description. However I am unable to play the game because as the PC says it will not work with Windows XPService Pack 2. So beware if you are planning to buy this game and run on XP. If your windows updates are on automatic and you have Broadband you probably have it. It takes over 2 hours to download on Dial Up so you'd probably be cut off before you ever finished receiving it.

Fortunately it works on my chidrens' PC as they have no internet connection at all. Hurrah. But I'm doing alot of running up and down stairs so bear with me.... anyway, here is a run down of the game.

The Idea of the Game
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Mr Monopoly and his neice, Sandy and nephew Andy are in an amusement Park. During the game you move around the board amoungst the stalls and rides, setting up ticket booths and collecting fees from other players when they land on your rides. The game continues until all but one have run out of money. Like the board game it can be a while but fortunately you are able to save the game and return later.

The Start.
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The whole of the game is in animated form, and very clear for younger ones. If they get something wrong Mr Monopoly is always there to help by just clicking on him.
After a brief introduction from Mr Monoploy, you will be asked if you want to play a new game or a saved one. I'll continue as though you have selected new game. You will then be asked if you are playing alone or with friends. Two pictures here, one of a solo car, and one of a group. If playing alone you will then be given a choice of four coloured cars. and you will play against the computer.
Click on the entrance curtain and the game will begin.

Playing the Game.
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Now you will see the board, surrounded by all the rides and sideshows. At the bottom of the screen is Mr Monopoly (click for help) the die, and each persons wallets, each coloured he same as their car for easy identification. On the far right is an exit sign. This allows you to end the game or save for a later date.

Each person takes a turn in rolling the die twice, moving squares each time. The player must count the squares and click on the one to move to. If counted wrong, Mr monopoly will remind you how many squares to move. When you clickon the correct square your little car will move.

There are seven coloured pairs of rides and sideshows to collect. The other squares are four railways, fireworks, a water show, and a go to lunch square. Most of the squares will show a short animation if you land on them.

All rides, sideshows etc cost no more than £5. When required to pay your wallet willopen and five notes will be displayed. Just click on the required notes.

There is also Chance squares which take you to various squares or give you free ticket booths which are basically a free ride or show.

Mini Games
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As well as the game there are eight mini games which can be played at any time just by clicking on the rides around the board. The eight games are;

Roller Coaster - Stop the coaster at the right spot so it takes a photo of Sandy and Andy in their seats.

Haunted House - 3 levels. Suck ghosts up with a vacuum cleaner. Levels get harder and ghosts start moving from room to room through walls whilst you can only go through doors. Then Sam and Andy come along and get in your way.

Water Slide - 3 levels. Catch ducks as they come over the water slide. Watch out for the debris and the snappers who make holes in your net.

Helicopter Ride - 3 levels. Collect money bags with your winch off boats passing underneath. But watch out for the speedboat that makes the boats sink.

Dodgems - 3 levels. Burst baloons with your dodgem. Watch out for Sandy and Andy who start chucking candy floss and Ice cream at you.

Big Wheel - Get the wheel going again by rejoining the bits of pipe together. A puzzle sort of game.

Merry go round - Help Sandy cross the merry go round avoiding being knocked over to meet Andy and get her Ice cream.

Mini Golf - 3 levels. Stop the turntable and hit the balls at the right time to get them into the doors on the buildings. The turntable will get faster and the doors start closing.

The End of the Game
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This will be either a) When all players give up or b) When all but one have run out of money.

My opinion.
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If you can get it to work it is a great game. It is suitable for most children up till about 10 years. My four year old loves it and I'd like to say a big Thank you to him for helping me write this review. (On some of the mini games I couldn't get on to higher levels so he had to explain them to me!) Most places are selling it for under £10 and I have seen it as cheap as £3 on some online shops.