Monopoly (1995 video game)
| Company type | Division |
|---|---|
| Industry | Video games |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Parent | Hasbro |
Monopoly is a 1995 video game adaptation based on the classic board game Monopoly. Created by Westwood Studios and released under Hasbro Electronic Entertainment, the title was distributed by Virgin Interactive Entertainment. This release is one among various adaptations of the property and was reissued in 1998 featuring refreshed packaging. The game's soundtrack was composed by Frank Klepacki and offers original music.
Gameplay
This computerized version automates the conventional board game rules, incorporating 3D animations to depict player movements. It accommodates up to six human participants either on a single PC or through a Local Area Network (LAN). The soundtrack employs a ragtime-style MIDI composition accompanied by WAV sound effects. Players engage by rolling dice, purchasing properties, and striving to bankrupt other competitors, closely following the mechanics of the original board game.
Development
Westwood Studios developed this title for Hasbro Electronic Entertainment (which later became Hasbro Interactive), a division founded in 1995 to produce video game adaptations of Hasbro’s well-known franchises. In May 1995, Hasbro announced that this version was undergoing testing, emphasizing its multiplayer capability that allowed gameplay over the Internet. Although initially anticipated at Hasbro’s annual shareholder meeting that month, the official preview took place at the 1995 Electronic Entertainment Expo held in Los Angeles. The release in September 1995 commemorated the 60th anniversary of the original board game. The game achieved a global player base exceeding 23 million and offered multilingual support with real-time translation of currencies and property names for international audiences.
Sales
According to market analysis by PC Data, Monopoly ranked as the 11th highest-selling computer game in the United States during 1996. Its position improved to fifth place in 1997, with sales reaching 397,864 units and generating close to $13 million in revenue. In 1998, it sold 273,937 copies, earning $6.36 million domestically and ranking 16th overall. For the first half of 1999, it held sixth place but slipped to 20th by year-end with total sales of 265,408 units.
By September 1999, cumulative U.S. sales of Monopoly had reached 1.27 million copies, making it the fifth best-selling computer game in the country from January 1993 onward.
Critical reviews
Trent Ward from GameSpot described the adaptation as "brilliant," despite its straightforward premise. The Jerusalem Post praised it as a "wonderful" rendition faithful to the source material, noting only that observant Jews would be unable to play during Shabbat. The Washington Times emphasized how the digital format simplified gameplay by removing disputes related to appointing a banker.
Michael Gowan of Macworld applauded its animation quality and online multiplayer features, remarking that its simple design provided a welcome contrast to more complicated games and was "just as enjoyable as the original [board game]."
Data from Media Matrix Inc. indicated that in March 2000, Monopoly ranked as the 20th most frequently played PC game among U.S. home users, capturing a 0.52% share of all PC users and accounting for 0.94% among PC gamers.
The title was runner-up for Computer Gaming World's best "Classics/Puzzles" award in 1995, lauded as "the best conversion [of Monopoly] to the computer yet." In 1996, it earned placement as the 113th greatest game ever by the magazine, recognized for delivering more than expected through its Internet-enabled version of this timeless board game.