New Austin-themed Monopoly board immortalizes the city's popular places

Every Austinite would probably have a different Monopoly board if they tried to make one for the whole city. After a yearlong survey, game maker Top Trumps USA has presented its definitive take on the challenge. It unveiled Monopoly: Austin Edition, a new collector's board game, at a press release Friday, October 23.

The "Austinized" game board is laid out just like a regular Monopoly board, but the properties have been changed to reflect Austin landmarks and businesses. Photographs add extra flavor, and a few game elements other than properties have been updated to show a little more Austin character.

For example, even though "chance" and "community chest" cards keep their names as game mechanics, the storytelling changes: players can take a recommendation from influencer/blogger Austin Food Adventures on a Chance card or get booked on Austin City Limits on a Community Chest card. They can also own a food truck deed or pay a "tailgate tax," a variant on the "luxury tax" in the original game. Railroad crossings are replaced by places to paddleboard, kayak, or scooter.