"Monopoly for Millennials" may be the holiday gift of 2018.
The new version of the iconic Hasbro board game mercilessly pokes fun at millennials: From the box's tagline ("Forget real estate. You can't afford it anyway") and the product description ("Adulting is hard; take a break from the rat race...") to the familiar top-hatted tycoon who sports earbuds, sunglasses, a coffee cup, and an "I participated" medal with ribbon pinned to his tuxedo, it's a hilarious roast.
What else is unique about the game?
Players don't buy up properties; they collect "experiences" — such as a weeklong meditation retreat, bellying up to an artisanal coffee bar, heading to the vegan bistro or the farmer's market, or simply your friend's couch or your parents' basement.
Image source: YouTube screenshot
- Other "destinations" include a national park, an animal rescue, a yoga studio, and a karaoke club. And the player with the most experiences wins.
Image source: YouTube screenshot
- Players don’t pay rent — instead they visit one another, which affords them even more experience points.
- Game pieces include a bicycle, a camera, and a — brace yourselves — a hashtag symbol.
- Community Chest cards include "Your mom learned how to text! Advance to Go" along with "You get a fourth job. Hashtag hustle. Hashtag side gig. Hashtag NoDaysOff."
- One Chance card reads, "Your cellmate is sick of you vlogging about prison life. Get out of jail free."
- Among the rules is that the player with the most student debt rolls first, KYW-TV reported.
How are millennials reacting?
While some are taking the skewering in stride, others seem to be — ahem — a tad triggered:
Image source: YouTube screenshot
Image source: YouTube screenshot
Image source: YouTube screenshot
Want to see more detail? Check out this "unboxing" video: