Monopoly

When I was young, I made myself the Monopoly board game because we just do not have the money to buy an original monopoly game. Draw and color the whole board out of cardboard. Make and paint all the houses and hotels (in 3D cuboids shaped). Hand written all the chance, community chest and properties cards. Make the exact amount of money notes. Only thing we did not make is those fancy tokens.

I bought the Cuti-Cuti (Holiday-ing) Malaysia edition Monopoly game (2014 is visit Malaysia year). Today is also the National Day of Malaysia. It is fun to see the places on the board are the places I grown up in and visited. The iconic pictures (free parking, police and jail, utilities, etc.) on the board are still the same. The game play is the same - Monopoly. The only let down, they make the money value so BIG. It is just not children friendly. Why do they want to change the money denomination? (Malaysia money is so small meh?) It is much easier for the children to add 1 plus 5 plus 10 rather than 100K + 500K + 1M. Although lay dormant for > 6 months, but once the kids start to play with it, its a daily affair.

Previously I bought a cheap imitation copy of the SpongeBob Squarepants Monopoly game. The quality of the boards, cards, tokens, bank notes are lower grade due to it is an imitation copy of the original, but the outlook is the same. Maybe because of the SpongeBob characters, the kids seem to enjoy playing the Monopoly game. The money is in small value, children friendly. I like the Plankton rule game, it makes the game play duration shorter.
http://www.hasbro.com/common/instruct/monopoly_spongebob.pdf

Different token can be used ....

But beware, although Monopoly teaches the kids the property trading world, but tempers will flare, money will tear and head will roll. Good thing I bought a cheap mock copy.

Notice Squidgy's head.... that's the "head will roll" part

Star Wars™ SY198

This set is base on Episode 3 of the Star Wars saga, where Analkin join the dark side and eventually become Darth Vader. Good thing SY include Darth Maul from Episode 1. Been waiting for SY to come out with the bootleg minifigures of 2 of my favorite Star Wars characters, Darth Vader and Darth Maul.

BUT, I am really disappointed. They did not provide a cape for Vader ... how CAN! Have to get a cape from my other minifigs. SY gave two different torso for Vader, but no cape to cover. As for Maul, there's also no cape (but Darth Maul do not really wear a cape often), but his signature "awesome" dual light saber weapon, is also not included. Sheesh!

Anyway, they provide one red energy bar for Treepio, so I used on Maul's weapon instead. As for C-3PO, why do they want to use orange line.

Awesome...Awesome... Awesome!!!!

Treepio with an energy rod (??), Vader without a cape (WTX)
Got to know later releases, SY included a cape for Vader

Slight enhancement on the set

Another picture for viewing - Chewy looks blinded

S.W.A.T. SY168

Nice set of 4 pieces minifigs from SY. Lots of accessories (weapons) are included.

S.W.A.T. SY168

Castle SY165

Got the Sheng Yuen Castle set SY165 today. This set is similar to the earlier RED castle set (see previous post), only this is in blue color. The King is nice.

Castle SY165