# Monopoly: Alton Towers – The Smiler

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2013
- **BGG Rating**: 3.7
- **BGG Rank**: —
- **Players**: 2-8
- **Duration**: 100 min
- **Weight**: —
- **Designers**: Charles Darrow
- **Artists**: (Uncredited)
- **Publishers**: Winning Moves UK Ltd.
- **Categories**: Economic, Negotiation
- **Mechanics**: Auction / Bidding, Player Elimination, Roll / Spin and Move, Set Collection, Trading

## Verdict
If you love Monopoly and theme‑park vibes, this edition will keep you entertained with its auctions and trades.Auction adds excitementStrategic tradingThemed componentsPlayer elimination can end earlyLong play timeRECOMMENDED

## Description
Monopoly: Alton Towers – The Smiler brings the classic roll‑and‑move formula into the themed world of the UK’s Alton Towers amusement park. Each game starts with players on the "Start" space and, on each turn, they roll dice to move around a board populated with properties, attractions and special spaces inspired by the park’s zones. When you purchase a lot, you can build houses and hotels, raising the rent that opponents must pay when they land there. The game features auctions: if nobody buys a property when you pass it, it goes to auction, letting you spend cash to block a rival or secure a valuable set. Set collection works like traditional Monopoly – owning all properties of a colour dramatically boosts rent. Direct trading between players is also encouraged, swapping money, properties or action cards to strike beneficial deals. A notable twist is player elimination: anyone who runs out of enough cash to cover rent or fines is forced out, speeding up the pace and adding tension. The ultimate goal is simple: end the game with the most money, bankrupting your opponents. The box contains themed components such as mini‑figures of rides, "The Smiler" cards that can impose penalties or bonuses, and paper money styled after the park. Playtime runs roughly 100‑120 minutes for 2‑8 players, and the rules are light‑to‑moderate, perfect for fans of economic negotiation games who don’t want overly complex mechanics. Whether you’re a Monopoly veteran or a theme‑park enthusiast, this edition mixes nostalgia with fresh twists in one tidy package.

## FAQ
### How many players can join?
It supports 2 to 8 players.

### What’s the typical playing time?
Around 100‑120 minutes, depending on player count.

### How complex is the game?
Light to moderate – basic rules with strategic depth in trading and auctions.

### Are there special components?
Yes, mini‑figures of rides, "The Smiler" cards and park‑themed money.

### Do I need prior Monopoly experience?
Not required, but familiar players will pick it up faster.

### Can a player be eliminated early?
Yes, running out of cash can force early elimination.

### What sets this edition apart?
Alton Towers theme, property auctions and action cards that shake up the classic flow.