Boardwalk, Park Place … Winchester Mystery House?
The latest edition of Monopoly has hit the shelves, and this time, the spotlight is on San Jose, the Mercury News reported.
Released last week, the game features local landmarks the Winchester Mystery House and Original Joe’s, boasting a collective history of over 150 years, in the place of Boardwalk and Park Place.
The game was officially introduced at the Winchester Mystery House, where Mr. Monopoly joined figures like Original Joe’s co-owner Brad Rocca, Winchester Mystery House Executive Director Walter Magnuson, and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan.
The San Jose edition of Monopoly is available at various retailers, including Amazon and CVS, for about $40.
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan called it a great opportunity to celebrate local landmarks and culture for generations to come.
Notable inclusions on the board go beyond iconic spots like Santana Row, San Pedro Square, and Plaza de Cesar Chavez. Local businesses like Peters’ Bakery and $15 Sewer and Drain, along with public entities like VTA monopolizing the railroad spaces with buses, add a local touch. However, some prominent omissions include the Sharks and SAP Center, San Jose City Hall, and tech giants like Google, Apple, and Facebook.
While downtown attractions such as the Tech Interactive, Children’s Discovery Museum, and Christmas in the Park have secured spots, the absence of major tech companies headquartered in San Jose, such as Adobe, Zoom, Cisco, and eBay, is notable. The game also extends beyond the city limits to feature natural attractions like Alum Rock Park, Coyote Valley, and the Japanese Friendship Garden.
Monopoly, the ubiquitous real estate game, has served as the basis for several knockoffs.
Several years ago, Ralph Modica, head broker at the Modica Team at Compass, creaated the Williamsburg-themed spinoff of Monopoly as a way to thank clients, he told DNAinfo.
Called “Burgopoly,” the game tries to capture the real life pitfalls of owning property in Brooklyn. Bedbugs might infest your apartment. The tax abatement on your condo could expire. And your bathtub might overflow.
“It’s definitely getting a lot of big eyes and open mouths when I give it to people,” Modica told DNAinfo at the time. “The game is free, all you have to do is meet me at the closing table.”
— Ted Glanzer