MONOPOLY for Nintendo Switch: A Competitive Tier Analysis

MONOPOLY for Nintendo Switch: A Competitive Tier Analysis

 

You may be surprised to learn, as a reader that is not heavily invested in the metagame behind MONOPOLY for Nintendo Switch (Or as it’s properly referred to, The Fast Dealing Property Game MONOPOLY Brand for Nintendo Switch), that not all tokens are created equal. Every figurine, from the turtle to the gramophone, has its own unique set of strengths and weaknesses. In an effort to give players the greatest possible advantage when playing in the cut-throat online Monopoly community, we here at Infendo have compiled a comprehensive list of the various tiers found within the metagame, with corresponding game pieces. While in casual play, there is very little difference between one token and the other, in competitive lobbies you will want to memorize these strengths and weaknesses and play accordingly.

Individual pieces are ranked from best to worst within their own tiers. Please note that these tiers only apply to competitive play with standard rules.

Garbage Tier: These pieces should only be used as a joke. They serve almost no function in competitive play, and simply can’t measure up against the better tokens. You can expect low dice roles, bad luck with chance cards and frequent trips to jail if you use these pieces.

  1. Camera
  2. Turtle
  3. Battleship

Peasant Tier: While it’s not impossible to win with the tokens found in this tier, there are much better choices available to you. These pieces will almost never win the initial roll for placement. For those players seeking a challenge, these tokens will certainly provide it. Don’t expect to land on Boardwalk or own more than a single railroad if you choose to use these pieces. Not recommended for tournament play.

  1. Rubber Ducky
  2. The Skate Without a Mate

Mid Tier: These pieces will work fine, but should be avoided during serious play. You’ll occasionally receive double and triple rolls, but these will usually end with you going to jail. Furthermore, using these tokens will make building hotels nearly impossible. Advanced players might be able to get some houses on their properties, but you shouldn’t expect more than 1 or 2 monopolies in this tier.

  1. Penguin
  2. Cat
  3. Car
  4. Horse
  5. Rabbit
  6. Tophat

 

Jumanji Tier: We call this the Jumanji tier because this is where the game gets real. These are solid pieces that can be expected to win during most competitive matches. If you like to play aggressively, these tokens will complement your play style excellently. Most of these pieces are perfectly suited to win auctions, with the exception of the Dog. However, Dog makes up for it by being perfectly suited to owning all 4 railroads. Gramophone will have some trouble landing on Park Place, but is your best bet for avoiding bankruptcy.

  1. Dog
  2. PumpKing The King of Ghosts
  3. Gramophone
  4. Jet Plane
  5. 99 Red Balloons Minus 96 But They’re Gold

God Tier: If you’re serious about winning, you’ll learn how to use these tokens. Admittedly, they take a lot of practice, but the results are well worth the work. These pieces will almost always get high rolls and won’t see the inside of a Jail (unless of course through a strategic player-controlled play). Ultimately, which piece to choose comes down to personal preference. The T-Rex has more raw offense, whereas the Happy Ghost is able to pass through other player’s token with his Spectral Slipstream ability. The Motorcycle will provide quick gameplay, but might be hard to keep control of throughout longer matches. Finally, while not the strongest token, the Ice Cream will prove a reliable choice for players who like to play it a little more safe.

  1. T-Rex / Happy Ghost
  2. Ice Cream
  3. Motorcycle

Gamer by day, game designer by night - Lukas studied Digital Arts in school, and grew up in the age of the N64 and Gamecube. He's the youngster of the bunch, but that doesn't keep him from shouting out at every available opportunity on Infendo Radio. He often finds himself at the edge of counter-culture (hates Metroid Prime, loves Other M), but isn't afraid to dive into the next big budget AAA title with the best of 'em. Favorite game: Sonic Adventure 2 Battle/Skyward Sword/Ocarina of Time/Zero Escape 2/You get the idea