Product Review

Anyone can become a megamillionaire just like Mr. Burns with this collector's edition of Monopoly based on The Simpsons, the beloved, sometimes-controversial animated TV series. The rules of the game remain the same, but the old Monopoly properties are now all Springfield landmarks, with a new monorail running across the game board. Players use tiny pewter game tokens of Bart, Homer, and other Springfield characters as they purchase stores, restaurants, and homes. Who wouldn't want to buy Krustylu Studios or the Kwik-E-Mart? Instead of acquiring houses and hotels, players try to accumulate monorail stops and stations on their properties. Customized Chance and Community Chest cards offer additional sly references and cartoon drawings of the characters. The cultural references are up-to-the-minute, but the educational value of playing strategic board games remains constant. --Marcie Bovetz, mother and former children's librarian