Ghettopoly board game
by Caitlin T.
(Virginia)
Game:
Ghettopoly
Board game manufacturer:
Out of print due to legal action
Number of players:
2-7
Quick Verdict
The game Ghettopoly is a multi-player parody of the Monopoly game that is based on life in the ghetto. All of the properties and spaces on the board have been renamed to be ghetto themed, except the Jail space which pertains to the ghetto anyway. Though the game Monopoly is for ages 8 and up, I would not recommend this game for anyone below the age of 13 because of all the Ghetto and sexual references.
The Game and gameplay
Ghettopoly board game is played the same way Monopoly is.
There are 2 to 7 players (Monopoly is 2 to 8 players) and each advance around the board purchasing properties and collecting money.
The game pieces are changed from a dog, a boat, a thimble, a horse, a car, a top hat, a boot and a cannon to a prostitute, a pimp, a crack rock, a machine gun, a 40oz, a basketball and a marijuana leaf.
Property names have changed as well. For example, instead of railroads, there are liquor stores.
This game is an unauthorized parody of Monopoly which led the creator, David Chang, to be sued by Hasbro. The game was also named offensively racist by the NAACP, which resulted in copies of this game being pulled from the market by Urban Outfitters.
Prior to this, Chang made over $800,000 in profits from this game of which half were taken as fines from the lawsuit. Chang’s sequels to the game were never made due to this.Pros and cons
Monopoly players will find the Ghettopoly board game simple because of all the similarities, but as mentioned before, this game should not be played by children under the age of 13.
The use of liquor stores, prostitutes, pimps, alcohol in general and other ghetto references could seem racist and offensive to some people, but a good laugh to anybody with a sense of humor.
This game is not to be taken as a literal example of life in the ghetto, but a humorous example of the media’s example of the ghetto.
However, this game could very easily lead children to believe that being a pimp, using a gun and having a lot of prostitutes is a good thing and we don’t need any more of that in today’s society.
The verdict
The Ghettopoly board game is very similar to Monopoly, but its distinct differences make it stand alone. It brings a bit of comedy to today’s uptight society and shows how quick censors are to pull it off the shelves because of a hint of racial slur. Though it was illegally manufactured, I feel that we need more games like this just to bring something else to laugh at. David Chang had the right idea, if only he’d done it with permission.
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