Review of the Acquire Board Game: 60th Anniversary Edition

1964 was quite the landmark year. President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act, The Beatles made their iconic journey to New York City, and Tokyo played host to the Olympics. But more pertinent to our interests, it was also the year Acquire was unleashed into the world—a board game centered on building hotels that has stood the test of time. Fast forward over 60 years and several editions later, and Renegade Games has taken up the mantle. They’re bringing us both a premium 60th Anniversary Edition in 2024 and a more accessible retail version in 2023. Though these new variants boast updated aesthetics, they preserve the engaging gameplay that has kept Acquire relevant for decades, earning it a spot on our list of unmatched classic board games.

Acquire accommodates two to six players, each aiming to lay tiles, create hotel chains, and snap up shares of stock, all in the quest for hefty investment returns. While the theme might not quite scream excitement like some other games you’ll find at your local store, Acquire’s endurance over the past 60 years speaks volumes. The ease of teaching combined with its unsuspected strategic depth—even earning a spotlight at the World Series of Board Gaming last year—make it deserving of its longevity.

Each turn in Acquire involves players selecting a tile marked with a grid coordinate and positioning it accordingly on the board. When two or more adjacent tiles connect, they form a hotel, rewarding the creator with a share in its stock. The size of the hotel chain dictates the value of its shares: as it expands, the cost and eventual payout rise, especially when a hotel gets merged into a larger chain. The strategic aim? Buy low, sell high.

Renegade Games’ latest editions introduce a fresh twist with Tycoon Mode, a variant rule designed to level the playing field. Originally, only the top two stockholders in a hotel chain got the payout upon acquisition. Tycoon Mode extends this benefit to the third leading player, a feature I find especially welcoming for newcomers, even though my personal preference leans toward the classic gameplay.

Exclusive to the 60th Anniversary Edition are special power cards that significantly shift the dynamics of play. These cards offer formidable advantages, like laying down four tiles simultaneously or securing free stocks. For my taste, they change the game a tad too much after a single try, yet their availability as an optional element ensures players can find what suits them best.

Comparing the standard retail release with the 60th Anniversary Edition, the latter’s $50 costlier tag comes with worthwhile enhancements. While the gameplay remains the same aside from the power cards, the components get an upgrade in the premium package.

You’ll find three distinct improvements that justify the premium price: a handy drawstring bag for choosing tiles, an efficient removable insert for organizing shares and hotel pieces, and swanky poker chips that replace the traditional paper money.

These may seem like minor perks, but the refined organizer and tile-selection bag notably enhance play. By using the bag to draw tiles, you sidestep manual flipping during game setup, smoothing the process. I suggest finding a comparable bag if the base version is more your speed.

Additionally, the Anniversary Edition’s redesigned organizer is a noteworthy feature, storing share cards neatly with a lid. This contrasts with the main version’s larger box-sized organizer, potentially hindering the use of table space. Most players will likely prefer having these cards accessible on the table instead.

The final upgrade is purely aesthetic—swapping out paper money for poker chips. Personally, I’ve always found paper money in board games outdated. Though this upgrade contributes to the increased price, the poker chips’ tactile pleasure and organized storage elevate the overall experience. There’s an undeniable satisfaction in handling them over flimsy bills—their charming clink seals the deal.

Where to grab a copy? The Acquire 60th Anniversary Edition comes with an MSRP of $99.99, while the Standard Edition is priced at $49.99. Happy gaming!