Wil Wheaton is one of Quarterly's latest curators - this is his second box. Here is a brief summary from Wil of what you can expect from this subscription:
Starting with my childhood and working towards present day, each box will represent a decade of memories, moments, and the objects that defined them.
Wil's second box is dedicated to the 1980's, and I couldn't be more excited to see what's inside!
This box was sent to us early for review purposes. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).
The Subscription Box: Wil Wheaton Quarterly Box
The Cost: $100 (plus $8 shipping)
The Products: “Starting with my childhood and working towards present day, each box will represent a decade of memories, moments, and the objects that defined them.”
Ships to: US and Worldwide (Additional shipping costs for International subscribers).
Each Quarterly box comes with a letter from the curator detailing the items included and why they were selected.
Autographed Edward Packard's Return to the Cave of Time - Value $6 (not factoring in autograph)
Packard was the first to write a 'Choose your own adventure' book. His first, The Cave of Time was published in 1979. This is the 2012 follow up - Return to the Cave of Time. A lot of great reviews on Amazon. I've never read anything in this genre, but I do love how a 2012 book has the smell and feel of a book from the 80's!
NES Double Dribble Cartridge - Value $2
I believe everyone got random cartridges. I received Double Dribble - what did everyone else get? I have fond memories of going to my best friend's house to play Mario and Ninja Turtles on his NES. While I never got an NES of my own - not for lack of effort on my, or my siblings', part - I do have a ton of NES memories. I would later, finally, get a SEGA and have been a gamer since.
Nothing speaks to original 1980's authenticity like still having someone's ownership sticker on the back! Love it!
Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition Starter Set - Value $35
I never got into playing Dungeons and Dragons - but this is an awesome inclusion to the box - it really feels like holidays in the 1980s. This is a timely reference for me too, since Liz and I watched the Dungeons and Dragons episode of Community!
Sock Panda socks - Value $12 (based on 1 month, 1 pair/month subscription)
It can't be the holidays without receiving socks! Sock Panda is a monthly sock subscription. Every month, they send you 1-2 pairs (you specify) of patterned, graphic, or colorful socks. This is a nice quality sock, but I won't use them until cold weather rolls back around.
retro-bit RetroDuo Video Game system - Value $38
Maybe I didn't get an NES in the past - but I got one now! I still have a classic SEGA system and a ton of games, so I'm really glad to get something to play some NES and SNES titles on - also, you can buy a Genesis cartridge adapter to play SEGA games on this machine too - what a wonder machine. I've always been curious about these new systems for retro gaming. I've read reviews about other systems, and it seems to be hit or miss, but this one gets pretty favorable reviews on Amazon. One thing to note on this system (like many of these retro systems) is that it only has RCA and S video out. So, if you're looking to enjoy it on an HDTV with only HDMI inputs - you may need to purchase something like this to plug into HDMI. Has anyone tried cables like these for retro systems? I think i'll have to experiment to make it work!
Radio Free Burrito Poster
This is the second installment of the podcast poster series. Each Wil Wheaton box will have a new poster.
VERDICT: I love this box from Wil Wheaton! I even had a blast reviewing it, it really brought me back. The value is about dead on with the cost of the box, but, like with most Quarterly subscriptions, you're subscribing more for the curation from your favorite curators. This sticks the the 1980's theme in the best ways possible - you can't not love getting and NES system and game. It kind of felt like I was a character in Ready Player One, gathering information in search of Halliday's Egg!
What do you think of #WIL02?
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