Why We Stopped Playing Monopoly

December 15, 2025 by Dave

Topics

opinion modern-gaming nostalgia

The Monopoly Problem

Look, we all grew up playing Monopoly. It’s a classic. But here’s the thing: there are literally thousands of better games out there.

What’s Wrong With Monopoly?

  1. Player Elimination - Nothing worse than being eliminated 30 minutes into a 3-hour game
  2. Dice Dependence - Your decisions barely matter compared to luck
  3. No Catch-Up Mechanics - Once you’re behind, you’re probably staying behind
  4. Takes FOREVER - And not in a fun way

The Modern Board Game Renaissance

Around 1995, something magical happened in Germany. A game called Settlers of Catan came out and changed everything.

What Makes Modern Games Better?

Meaningful Decisions - Your choices actually matter

Variable Setup - Different game every time

No Player Elimination - Everyone plays until the end

Reasonable Play Times - Most games: 30-120 minutes

Gateway Games That Changed Our Lives

Ticket to Ride

Our first “real” board game. Simple rules, beautiful components, and genuinely fun strategy.

Carcassonne

Tile-laying perfection. We’ve played this hundreds of times and it never gets old.

Pandemic

Co-op gaming at its finest. Work together or die trying (to save humanity from diseases).

The Bottom Line

We’re not saying Monopoly is evil. It’s just… there’s a whole world of incredible games out there that do everything Monopoly does, but better.

Come to game night and we’ll show you what we mean.