Spongebob Squarepants Monopoly
by Amanda Nettgen
(USA)
Spongebob Squarepants Monopoly PC game
★★★★
+ A perfect version of Monopoly for Spongebob fans!
+ Four play modes, with special rules, but the original rules are here too
+ Superb themed graphics
– Non-Spongebob fans should avoid it
Since Hasbro shut down all the download games, the only place to get the Spongebob Squarepants Monopoly PC game is from Amazon...
Fans of the show SpongeBob SquarePants will have a swimmingly good time playing this version of Monopoly. It offers four unique ways to play, with the fundamentals of Monopoly intact for each one: SpongeBob Rules, Monopoly Rules, Squidward Rules or Plankton Rules.
With SpongeBob rules, you'll get a SpongeBob-themed Monopoly board, but play mini-games at important moments (ex. for passing GO or being sent to jail). No matter the pawn you chose, you’ll see a cute portrait of you character in the mini Monopoly board in the top right.
This miniature board is your quick glance resource to see who owns which properties (yours are highlighted), if anything's up for mortgage and where your next move will land you. Money stats are constantly compared for each player and a scrolling game history is recorded regularly. There is a timer and last dice rolled display as well.
On your turn, you not only have to hit Roll Dice, but click on a purple clam to release your dice, which is kind of annoying. Your paper doll look-alike in Spongebob Monopoly will obey whatever the giant dice read, presenting you with the opportunity to purchase properties if you submarine to them like in regular Monopoly.
You'll play a mini-game where you mash the A button on your keyboard frantically, attempting to lower the cost of the sell. Bought locales sport your character’s personal sold sign throughout the game. If you land on someone else's property, you play another fastest finger mini-game with clams to lower how much rent you have to pay.
Squidward Rules and Plankton Rules aren't much different; you still play all the same mini-games, just with Squidward you have the option to move your token OR your opponent's on your turn (perfect for escorting rivals to a hotel or the luxury tax space) and Plankton is more of a timed game.
Spongebob Squarepants Monopoly is an entertaining version of the Monopoly game. It's great for teaching kids mathematical and strategic skills, as they'll be lured in by the fun of SpongeBob. It has fairly good graphics and a ton of available statistics (not just most games won, but most cash in hand, number of turns in jail, cumulative rent paid, etc.).
SpongeBob addicts will love Spongebob Monopoly, but Monopoly purists who aren't familiar with the show may not. It's a good fit for most children, regardless if they know where Bikini Bottom is or not.
