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Passing Boardwalk in the classic capitalist board game Monopoly earns players $200 (unless they head to jail). When it comes to the infinite number of officially licensed boards, Boardwalk and its posh neighbor Park Place are often the most important locations within that franchise’s universe—think the Jedi temple, Princess Peach’s castle or Walter White’s house.
Portland is getting its own Monopoly version, and you can pick what lands on the board.
Hasbro affiliate Top Trumps wants Portland residents to vote on which Rose City landmarks will fill out Boardwalk, Pennsylvania Avenue and Reading Railroad, along with all the rest. Top Trumps, the company that licenses American city-themed “community editions” of Monopoly, hosted a pop-up event in Pioneer Square on Thursday, Feb. 6, with Mr. Monopoly himself in attendance to announce that Monopoly: Portland Community Edition will be released later this fall. The game’s mascot was also photographed at Pittock Mansion and on the Burnside Bridge near the White Stag sign.
“Our aim is to tell the story of Portland on the most famous game in the world,” Top Trumps executive Aaron Green tells WW via email. “We find it a priority to ensure all neighborhoods and people are represented.”
Palm Springs, Queens, St. Louis and Detroit are among the more than 40 cities Top Trumps has already announced over the past 25 years. Green says that while game pieces like the thimble and Scottie dog will remain the same, all other aspects of the game, like board spaces, Community Chest and Chance cards and even money, will be customized for Portland.
If anyone suggests spaces that violate the spirit of the game—snide suggestions like tent cities and open-air fentanyl markets, or sincere appreciation for landmark strip clubs like Mary’s Club—Green says most adult-oriented suggestions are usually disqualified, though some exceptions have been made for “iconic local bars and restaurants.” Anyone feeling creative is encouraged to email portlandOR@toptrumps.com before March 21.