Internet  Pinball Database

Monopoly's entry in the IPD

Flyer

Stern Pinball's web site

Manual

Schematic

ROM images

 (check Monopoly's page on the IPD)

WAV files

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Rule sheet

Repair tips

S/I card scans

Repro parts

Monopoly auctions on eBay

In November of 2001, Stern Pinball and Jack Guarnieri's Pinball Sales created a limited edition series of Monopoly pinball machines, one for each square on a Monopoly board.  These "Platinum Edition" machines came with chrome legs, side rails, lockdown bars and trim, unlike the painted black trim on standard games.  The translites of all Platinum Edition machines were signed by game designer Pat Lawlor, Gary Stern (owner of Stern Pinball), and artist John Youssi.  The Boardwalk Platinum Edition game was also signed by Alan Hassenfeld, chairiman and CEO of Hasbro - the owners of the Monopoly franchise.

When I picked up the game from Jack Guarnieri, I asked him to also sign my translite, so this particular game has two unique signatures - Jack's and Mr. Hassenfeld's.

Unlike all other Monopoly pinball machines, this particular one was auctioned for a charitable cause.  Stern Pinball and Pinball Sales donated the majority of the proceeds of the sale to Boundless Playground, a non-profit organization that builds playgrounds for children of all ages and abilities.  It was part of eBay's "Greatest Gifts of All" holidy promotion of 25 unique gifts whose proceeds benefited charitable causes.

Early in the Monopoly production run, people were noticing that strong shots to the ramps caused airballs that could potentially cause hang-ups or damage to parts of the playfield.  The back side of the LED sign on the playfield also had no protection from flying balls, which could potentially damage the circuitry or short Someone sketched out a plan for cutting sheets of Lexan into ramp and display protectors.  I followed these instructions for the ramp shields and installed them on my game when I first set it up.  For the LED sign, I simply cut a piece of thin foam rubber to fit through the existing mounting holes.  I also installed a Chance hole protector as soon as they were available.  By then there were a few hundred games on the game counter, but the only wear to the Chance hole was in the clearcoat on the left side.  With the new protector installed, the existing wear is covered and the opportunity for any future damage is eliminated. 

As game play goes, I think Monopoly holds its own alongside Williams' best games of the 90's.  The rules are not as deep as a few other games, but play is not repetitive, the theme has universal and timeless appeal, and the artwork is bright and attractive.  Either flipper has plenty of power to make the two long shots up both ramps, and the only maintenance issues after over two years of home use was early failure of a few light bulbs and a broken microswitch on the railroad ramp.