Following an online poll, the Monopoly board game manufacturers Hasbro have announced that the cat has got the cream in terms of becoming a player token on the board. The cat was voted as the most popular option for a new Monopoly piece ahead of a robot, helicopter, diamond ring and a guitar. The new cat design took 31% of the total vote and will be added to the existing tokens which include a race car, thimble, top hat and battleship.

It is the first time Monopoly fans have been invited to vote on which of the eight tokens to keep and which to lose. The Scottie dog was the clear favourite securing 29% of the vote, with fans from more than 120 countries taking part in the poll to decide which token should be saved. In the best traditions of Monopoly, the race went to the wire, with the shoe, wheelbarrow and iron fighting for survival in the final hours of voting. Ultimately the iron passed “Go” last, finishing with just 8% of the vote and will now “Go to Jail” to serve a life sentence, with no chance of parole!!

The iron was one of the original game tokens when Monopoly was launched by the Parker Brothers in 1935. The Scottie dog and wheelbarrow were added in the early 1950s.This is not the first time Monopoly pieces / tokens have been cast aside and thrown off the Monopoly board – and I am not talking about tipping up the Monopoly board in a pique of anger as a sore loser!! Previous tokens retired in the 1950s included a lantern, a purse and a rocking horse.

If you had an opportunity, would you change player tokens in other board games? For instance, would you change or replace Colonel Mustard or Professor Plum in Cluedo? Let us know in the Reply Box below