Despite how long it has existed in the board game marketplace,Monopolycontinues to be popular enough that Hasbro frequently releases special editions. ASuper Mario-themedMonopolygamewas announced this month to celebrate the 35th anniversary of Nintendo’s long-time mascot, and the toy company just releasedMonopoly Arcade Pac-Man, which comes with its own special miniature version of an arcade cabinet.
Rather than purchasing and developing land around Atlantic City,Monopoly Arcade Pac-Manhas players moving through a literal game ofPac-Mancomplete with a Ghost token that is moved based on an independent dice roll every turn. Special spaces are replaced with power-ups like cherries and power pellets, and all banking is controlled digitally by the miniature arcade cabinet that allows players to complete short runs of the original game whenever they pass “Go.”
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Compared to other special-edition versions of the classic board game, such asMonopoly: Speedwhich encourages quick sessions, the more complete changes that come with utilizing aPac-Manarcade cabinet in this Bandai Namco-licensed crossover seems like an interesting way to shake up the experience. The themed board game is meant to help folks “relive favorite moments” from playing the 80s arcade title, according to Hasbro’s listing for the product on Amazon.
Pac-Manhas never left the public consciousness as an icon of video gaming since his arcade days, in-part thanks to newer versions of the game likeMs. Pac-Manas well as continued attempts to revitalize the brand through other genres such as 3D platformers. The character first appeared in 1980, and Bandai Namco has released numerous goodies such asPac-Mansake for its 40th anniversary.
That continued popularity of the arcade icon can also be seen through references made by other groups. For instance,Pac-Manis now a recurring character inSuper Smash Bros., and the British virtual bandGorillaz released a new song called “PAC-MAN"as part of its “Song Machine” project to celebrate the character’s anniversary.
Because of this timing, it makes perfect sense for Hasbro to be releasing aPac-Man-themedMonopolyset, much like it’s releasingMario-themedMonopolyandJenga.Hasbro has also been continually working on its action figure-oriented toy lines, as recently a game calledG.I. Joe: Operation Blackoutwas leakedthat seems to be based on the current line ofG.I. JoeClassified Series figures.
