Monopoly – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Monopoly

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Board Game1935

42%

WISE Score

4.4

Board Game Geek

The family-argument-starter that taught generations to hate board games—there are better ways to spend 3 hours together.

Monopoly

Board Game

8+, 1935

42%

WISE Score

4.4

Board Game Geek

The family-argument-starter that taught generations to hate board games—there are better ways to spend 3 hours together.

4.7

4.4

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Where to Play

Amazon

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Screenwise Verdict

Let's be honest: Monopoly is a relic that's more famous than fun. Yes, it teaches money math and property concepts, but it does so while creating family arguments, running for 3 hours, and eliminating players who then sit bored while everyone else finishes.

The 4.4/10 rating from 39,000+ board game enthusiasts isn't a fluke—this game has been thoroughly surpassed by decades of better design. Modern kids who've played anything from the last 20 years will find this repetitive and luck-driven. Parent reviews consistently mention tears, fights, and regret.

If you already own it and want to teach economic basics, fine—but use house rules to speed it up and prevent elimination. Otherwise, there are hundreds of family games that teach similar skills without the emotional carnage. Monopoly's cultural status doesn't make it good; it just makes it famous for the wrong reasons.

Age Fit

The 8+ rating is technically accurate for understanding rules, but emotionally most kids aren't ready for the frustration and length until 10-12. Honestly, even adults find this tedious—the 4.4/10 BGG rating tells the real story. If you want family game night to actually be fun, look at modern alternatives like Ticket to Ride, Splendor, or Catan.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Monopoly teaches basic economic concepts but is fundamentally about bankrupting opponents and accumulating wealth at others' expense. The game mechanics reward ruthless competition over cooperation, and the 60-180 minute runtime often devolves into frustration, arguments, and bad feelings between players—especially with kids. Parent reviews confirm it frequently ends in tears with younger children. The 'mortgage your properties or go broke' theme isn't inherently unwholesome, but the execution creates more family friction than bonding.

Imaginative

Monopoly offers virtually no creative expression or meaningful decision-making. Players roll dice, move their token, and follow rigid rules with minimal strategic depth (BGG weight of 1.62 confirms this). There's no world-building, no storytelling, no puzzle-solving—just mechanical property acquisition. The 'real estate mogul' theme could spark imagination, but in practice it's repetitive dice-rolling with predetermined outcomes. Modern board games offer exponentially more creative engagement.

Safe

Board games are inherently safe, and Monopoly has no inappropriate content, mature themes, or concerning artwork. The 8+ age rating is appropriate. The main safety concern is social dynamics—the game is notorious for creating conflict, hurt feelings, and arguments. However, this is manageable conflict within a family context, not toxic manipulation or gambling mechanics. No privacy concerns, no monetization issues with the physical game. The emotional safety is the only real concern here.

Enriching

Monopoly teaches basic counting, money management, and introduces concepts like property ownership, rent, and mortgages. These are legitimate educational elements. However, the learning curve is minimal, strategic depth is shallow, and the primary lesson is 'luck determines outcomes.' Games regularly extend to 3 hours with no meaningful skill development. The 4.4/10 BGG rating (from 39,000+ ratings) reflects the board game community's consensus that it's outdated and offers little enrichment compared to modern alternatives. It's more tedious than enriching.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

Teaches basic money math, counting, and introduces economic concepts like rent, mortgages, and property ownership
Cultural touchstone that most adults know how to play, making it accessible across generations
Can accommodate large groups (2-8 players) when you need a game for extended family gatherings
The physical act of handling money and negotiating trades provides tactile, face-to-face interaction

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What to Watch For

Games routinely run 2-3 hours and often end with someone in tears—especially kids under 10 who get eliminated early and have to sit and watch
Player elimination means knocked-out kids are stuck being bored while others finish, creating resentment
The game mechanics actively reward cutthroat behavior and punish cooperation, which can model unhealthy competitive dynamics
Incredibly dated design means low replayability and strategic depth—kids who play modern games will find this tedious
Frequently cited as a relationship-destroyer; Reddit is full of parents who regret introducing it to young kids

Conversation Starters

"If you owned real property, what would you want to build—apartments, houses, or something totally different?"
"Is it fair that someone who lands on expensive properties first has such a big advantage? How could we make it more fair?"
"When you're losing badly, how do you handle those feelings? What helps you stay a good sport?"
"Would you rather play a game where luck matters most, or one where your choices matter most?"

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