EA has figured out how to make Monopoly fun again. And as a video game, no less.

Shocking, I know, but I swear it's true.

Later this year, "Monopoly" the video game will be released for the Wii, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 2, and it won't be the game you grew up playing.

Sitting down and playing the upcoming version of Monopoly is like sitting down to play a game loosely based on the board game of the same name.

For example, the board you have come to know and love is receiving a complete overhaul, replacing the Avenues with cities from around the world - picked by fans for the Monopoly Here and Now: World Edition that will be released later this year.

A facelift is nothing new, but for the video game one particular game mode that made this version of Monopoly stand out over every edition of Monopoly that you've ever played - even the Pirates of the Caribbean Trilogy Edition. [NOTE FROM STEPHEN: I have a set of John Deere: Monopoly next to my desk.]

The big breakthrough in EA Casual's upcoming video game is an optional play-style called "Riches Mode." There's no money involved in this mode. It's based entirely on property ownership, and you get to play with multiple pieces each turn. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to play this new version of "Monopoly." Read more...