You can count on a game to relieve boredom during the festive period and, as games go, Monopoly must qualify as one of the all-time favourite Christmas presents. But what happens if you've grown bored of the standard format? We tested two of the latest versions. Monopoly Junior: Toy Story Edition (Parker Brothers) Age range: Five plus Price: $139 How to play: players choose to be one of four Toy Story characters (Woody, Jessie, Buzz Lightyear or Mr Potato Head) and move around the board buying toys and houses rather than streets. The board is half the size of the original game and there is no jail. Setbacks for players take the form of fines to mend broken toys and to buy new batteries. The Community Chest cards are absent but Chance cards offer free toys or faster ways around the board. Verdict: an altogether speedier game, although it can easily last an hour. It's a great introduction to Monopoly as well as being an entertaining way of honing children's counting and money-exchanging skills. The Toy Story characters make it much more interesting for young players. However, the game is limited to four players, the character pieces are cardboard and the money much flimsier than in original versions. Neither money nor characters looked like they would stand the test of time, particularly in the grubby hands of the target age range. Monopoly Disney Edition (Waddingtons) Age range: eight to adult Price: $299 How to play: this one follows the format of the original game more closely but players buy scenes from Disney films instead. The railway stations have been replaced with Disney modes of transport including Aladdin's carpet and Captain Hook's ship, the Chance and Community Chest cards are now Showtime and Magic Moments, and houses and hotels are White Rabbit cottages and Sleeping Beauty castles. Players can choose from eight character tokens including Snow White, Peter Pan and Dumbo. You can still get sent to jail but cards offer magical getaways with the help of Tinkerbell and Robin Hood. Verdict: more pricey but a better buy overall. The metal character pieces are much harder wearing and the play money better quality. It retains the characteristics that have made Monopoly a favourite for years but has more kid and universal appeal. Obviously it's a longer game than the junior variety but, with help reading cards and exchanging money, I found my five-year-old managed it almost as well. In fact she preferred it and even managed to bankrupt her mum.