Albuquerque residents can now roll the dice on a board that showcases the city’s most beloved places. Top Trumps USA, under license from Hasbro, unveiled an official Albuquerque edition of Monopoly, a project that took roughly a year of design and community input.
Mayor Keller highlights the local flavor
Mayor Tim Keller introduced the game alongside the mascot of Central New Mexico Community College, “Sol the Sun Cat.” He noted that the timing is perfect for the holiday season, adding, “Including Thanksgiving, because you know you might be running late in the kitchen, et cetera. You need a board game to play after. Now you can play Monopoly Albuquerque.”
Keller also praised the inclusion of local businesses, saying, “There are so many things on the board—legendary restaurants like Duran’s, and places we all see driving around fixing our appliances, like TLC.”
Landmarks and organizations on the board
The custom board spotlights a range of Albuquerque’s cultural and natural attractions: historic Route 66, the International Balloon Fiesta, Old Town, the University of New Mexico’s Pit, Nob Hill, Petroglyph National Monument, the Rail Trail, La Luz Trail, KiMo Theatre, Ex Novo Brewing, Duran Central Pharmacy, the Albuquerque Museum, Napoli Coffee, New Mexico Film Tours, Visit Albuquerque, and more.
In response to community requests, two nonprofit groups—Locker 505 and Paws and Stripes—were also given spaces on the board, underscoring the city’s commitment to charitable causes.
Where to buy the game
The Albuquerque Monopoly will be sold at several local retailers that appear on the board itself, including Poulin Market, Frontier, and the gift shop at the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History. Additional puzzle and game stores throughout the city will also carry the edition.
Mayor Keller believes the game will resonate beyond current residents. “I can just see the treasure this is in other states, in other homes, as they get together and also remember where they came from,” he said, emphasizing the board’s potential as a nostalgic keepsake for former Albuquerque families.
Community response
Local citizens have expressed excitement, viewing the board as both a fun family activity and a celebration of Albuquerque’s unique identity. The project reflects a broader trend of cities creating custom versions of popular games to promote tourism, support local businesses, and foster civic pride.
Top Trumps USA plans to continue collaborating with other municipalities, using the Albuquerque edition as a model for future city-specific releases.
Original reporting: KOAT Albuquerque — read the source article.
