Advance to Boardwalk

Advance to Boardwalk is a board game that was released in 1985 as a spin-off of the popular board game Monopoly. Like Monopoly, the game is set in the real-estate world of Atlantic City, New Jersey, but focuses only on the boardwalk area. The game involves the building of hotels, which are constructed by the various players who place markers to indicate the growing floors of the hotels.

Why is Advance to Boardwalk Popular?

Advance to Boardwalk is a popular game that has been enjoyed by many players over the years. It is significant because it offers a unique twist on the classic game of Monopoly, with a focus on building hotels rather than buying and selling properties. The game is also notable for its simple mechanics and easy-to-learn rules, making it accessible to players of all ages and skill levels.

Game Components of Advance to Boardwalk

Gameboard

Property cards corresponding to spaces on the board

Fortune cards

Three dice (two regular dice and one color die with “W” for wild and “F” for Fortune)

Hotel units in various colors

Player tokens

How To Setup Advance to Boardwalk

To set up the game, place the gameboard in the middle of the table and position the property cards next to their corresponding spaces. Shuffle the Fortune cards and deal two to each player, who should keep them face down. Each player chooses a color, places their token on the start space, and takes a specified number of hotel units based on the number of players. The player who rolls the highest number on the two regular dice starts the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Dice Rolling: Players roll three dice each turn; two regular dice determine spending money, and the color die determines where to build.

Building Units: Players build hotel units on properties corresponding to the color rolled.

Fortune Cards: Rolling an “F” allows a player to draw and play a Fortune card, which can provide advantages or disadvantages.

Property Control: Players control properties by having the most units on them; control can change with each turn.

Game Objective

The game ends when one player reaches the end of the board or when a player runs out of units.

The player with the most valuable properties wins; in case of a tie, the player controlling the most properties wins.

Player Experience

Advance to Boardwalk offers a quick and easy-to-learn experience, making it suitable for family game nights or beginners. The game is light on strategy and heavy on luck, with the roll of the dice significantly impacting gameplay. Players can experience sudden changes in lead and surprising outcomes, keeping the game engaging but not overly complex. However, the game can feel unbalanced with fewer than four players, and the lack of deep strategy might make it less appealing to hardcore gamers.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simple rules and quick setup.

Fast Gameplay: Games typically last between 20-30 minutes.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for all ages, especially children.

Dynamic Outcomes: Frequent changes in lead and unexpected winners.

Cons

Luck-Dependent: Dice rolls heavily influence the game.

Limited Strategy: Little to no deep thinking or complex decisions required.

Unbalanced with Few Players: Best played with four players to avoid slow starts and limited options.

Simplistic: May not be engaging for experienced gamers looking for more complexity.

Personal Thoughts on Advance to Boardwalk

Advance to Boardwalk is ideal for families seeking a light, fun gaming experience or for new players looking to dip their toes into board gaming. It’s a solid choice for weekly game nights, offering a refreshing alternative to more complex games like Monopoly. However, it may not satisfy gamers craving deeper strategy and complexity. Overall, it’s a great introductory game that promises entertainment without the need for heavy thinking or prolonged gameplay sessions.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.