The Wasteland has never been more prosperous. Between the mammoth launch of Fallout 4, and the onslaught of merchandise that accompanied it, Bethesda's post-apocalyptic RPG series hasn't just enjoyed the biggest video game launch of the year, it's nudged its way into becoming one of the most visible brands in all of pop culture.
But as a wise man once said (me—I'm that wise man), you're not really a household name until you get your very own Monopoly edition. Now your conquest to rule the irradiated pastures of the Commonwealth isn't just confined to the screen as Bethesda and USAopoly bring fans Monopoly: Fallout Collector's Edition.
This is the same Monopoly that has ruled family game night for decades, but this edition swaps out swanky Boardwalk property and railroad deeds for franchise staples like a war-torn Washington Monument and Enclave Radio. And don't think you'll become the ruler of Diamond City as a thimble; the six game pieces are all perfectly crafted after Fallout icons, including a Nuka Cola bottle, the Vault Boy, 10mm Pistol, MiniNuke, Power Armor Helmet and, of course, the Vault 111 door.
Everything about Monopoly's effort is devoted to Fallout's retro-future charm, from the bottle caps printed on the money to the Vault Dweller Survival Guide and You're S.P.E.C.I.A.L cards in place of Community Chest and Chance. And while coming in second place in a beauty pageant or paying your income taxes are favorites of the original, removing fire ant infestations from Grayditch and getting radiation sickness are just as common here as it is in the video games.
This is more than Monopoly with an irradiated coat of paint; this edition is a rich, detailed love letter to Bethesda's beloved franchise. References to side quests from the previous games, such as The Replicated Man and Agatha's Song, are abundant, as is the franchise's dark humor.
The board itself is littered with grimy, burnt-out and beautiful Fallout imagery. Fan-favorite locations like Megaton and Rivet City are represented, as are factions like the Brotherhood of Steel and The Church of the Children of the Atom.
This is Monopoly after all, and all of the rules are the same as they've always been—so if you fancy yourself a slumlord in the making, you can still use those same cut-throat strategies here. But if you love Fallout and can't get enough of the twisted Wasteland that Bethesda has created, you can move from the console to the game board and not lose any of that radiation-soaked authenticity.
Check out some pictures of what you can expect from Monopoly: Fallout Collector's Edition below:
All photos: Stacey Szewczyk
