This fall, Boston will be graced with its own official edition of the Monopoly board game, and residents are encouraged to contribute their thoughts on which local landmarks should grace the iconic board.
Landmarks like the Swan Boats, the Old North Church, Fenway Park, the Hatch Shell, and Symphony Hall are a few suggestions already being considered. John Marano, representing Top Trumps USA, the company developing the Boston edition, detailed the exciting project during an interview with GBH’s Henry Santoro.
“At the risk of sounding sarcastic, what took so long?” Santoro asked Marano, sparking a conversation about the timeline of this project.
Marano responded, stating, “You know what? It’s a great question. We have been doing these games for Hasbro at Top Trumps for the past 25-ish years. Within the last four years, we were given rights to U.S. cities. So, I can’t attest to the time before those 25 years, but the last four years we’ve really been hammering down the formula on how these cities work, especially in the U.S. And all the work we’ve done in those four years is culminating in this Boston edition.”
Santoro noted that while big-time Monopoly enthusiasts may be aware of past Boston-themed editions, this one is special. “And I think big-time Monopoly fans will know that there have been Boston editions, just not official Boston editions. Is that right?”
Marano confirmed the fact, explaining, “Correct, yes. There are currently no Hasbro official versions of Monopoly. This will be the first one. I know there was a limited edition by Parker Brothers back in the mid to late 1990s. And there are the off brands that are floating around.”
As for the game’s historical roots, Marano was asked about who can claim the invention of Monopoly — Parker Brothers or Hasbro?
He stated, “I feel like history gets a little bit muddy. There are four or five origin stories about how Monopoly got rolling. What I do know is that the original is based off streets in Atlantic City, New Jersey. This new edition, though, is going to be totally customizable to Boston.”
Reflecting on the game’s origins, Santoro mentioned how it took economics into consideration when it was invented in the 1930s.
Marano agreed, saying, “Yes. It was kind of analog, and it was there to promote — and critique — capitalism. And now that theme has taken off. Everybody has that connection to Monopoly.”
The conversation turned to the philosophy of the game and its reflection on current economic realities. As Santoro puts it, “The philosophy of the game was an economy that rewarded individuals. And it was said that it was better than one where monopolies hold all the wealth. Sound familiar? Because that is where we are right now.”
Santoro also asked how Massachusetts residents and Bostonians can assist in the development of the Boston edition of Monopoly. Marano responded, “Great question. We are calling upon the public — and the people that know and love Boston — to point me in the right direction and let me know what they want to see in this edition.”
Santoro emphasized that it’s not just the game board that will be customized but also the game pieces, money, and chance cards for a complete Boston experience.
Marano confirmed, “Pretty much — certain things stay the same as the original.”
As for deadlines, Marano noted that submissions will be accepted until mid to late April, with the game set to release in November of this year, just in time for the holiday season.
For those interested in submitting suggestions, Marano provided details on how to participate: “There are two ways to submit. You can either do it by going to our website, toptrumps.us. Or you can send an email at [email protected].”
Santoro clarified that people will be able to make as many submissions as they wish, to which Marano affirmed, “Anything and everything.”
image source from：https://www.wgbh.org/culture/2025-04-11/boston-monopoly-is-coming-this-fall
