80s Retro Pop Box Subscription Review + Coupon- August 2016
Retro Pop Box is a subscription service that sends retro inspired goodies from your favorite decade. This review is for the 80’s box. They also offer a 70’s box, and the 90’s box is now available for order!
This box was sent to us at no cost to review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
The Subscription Box: Retro Pop Box
The Cost: $20 a month ($5 shipping) with discounts available for longer subscription commitments
COUPON: Use code MSA10 to save 10% off your 3-month, 6-month or 12-month subscription!
The Products: 4-7 items valued at over $45 that are “carefully curated for a maximum jolt of nostalgia from YOUR FAVORITE DECADE. The unique pop-culture products within each box will span the decade and touch on iconic events, music, shows, movies, toys, candy and more!”
Ships to: Everywhere! International shipping rates apply for locations outside the US.
Check out all of our Retro Pop Box reviews and the Lifestyle Subscription Box Directory!
Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!
An info card was included in the box and detailed all the included items.
Teen Heroes Silhouette Stickers – $5.00?
Retro Pop Box doesn’t provide retail values on their info card and this is a Retro Pop Box exclusive so I am estimating the value. There are 4 white silhouette stickers all from well knows 80’s movies. There is E.T. riding in the bike basket, Karate Kid, John Cusack from Say Anything holding up his boom box and Judd Nelson wearing his long coat in The Breakfast Club. These stickers are very cool, though I’m not sure where I’ll put them. Open to suggestions….
Foam Animal Growing Capsules – $4.27
What a blast from the past! I used to love watching these tiny foam sponge animals open up when I was younger. You place them in a dish of warm water and the plastic capsule dissolves leaving a small foam animal shape behind. This pack came with 12 different animals from the sea. My kids loved trying these out with me, they had never seen them before. I couldn’t find this exact package online but I think they’re all comparable so I linked to one similar.
Megaman Keychain – $11.99
I’m not familiar with Megaman but it says this was from Nintendo and it’s very famous. I remember playing Mario Bros. with my brother growing up, but not many other video games so I’m certainly not the person to know gaming nostalgia. This vinyl keychain is 1.5 inches tall and my son thought he was a pretty cool looking guy, plus orange is his favorite color so I’m glad this is the variation we were sent. I do hesitate to give it a $12 value, but that’s what I found it for on Amazon.
Choose Your Own Adventure Book – $5.99 on Amazon (retail price: $6.99)
I think this is a great addition to the box! I used to love the Choose Your Own Adventure books! This one is called house of Danger. This series is geared for kids aged 7-12 and has sold more than 260 million copies! I’m excited to bring this book to school and add it to my library since my own kids are too young for it. I think my students will love it.
Ode to MTV Shirt- Value $15.00?
This short sleeve shirt is another Retro Pop Box exclusive. I have always loved the song Video Killed the Radio Star by The Buggles. It also happens to be the first video ever aired on MTV.
Verdict: I had fun unboxing the Retro Pop Box. The book was my favorite item this month. I had to guess on a lot of the individual prices since many items are exclusive, and this month I came much closer to the $45 advertised value, though that includes (in my opinion) a very over-inflated price for a keychain. To me this box is always more about nostalgia and curation than value though.
What do you think of the Retro Pop Box? Did you love the Choose Your Own Adventure books as a kid too?
Written by Jessica Telesmanich
I grew up in the 80s (born in ’76, yes, I’m old) and remember none of these things as being specific to that decade other than MTV. The choose your own adventure books were popular in the 90s. I remember because my younger sisters loved them when I was in high school (graduated in 94). The sponge thingies, I don’t know that they’re specific to any one decade or genre the same way “Sea Monkeys” aren’t either. Even if they are I’d hardly consider them an iconic reminder of the 80s. I’ve found the bulk of the profiled boxes from this sub to be a bust in terms of curation. With so many pop culture icon categories for each decade, the offerings have been thoroughly lackluster IMO.
Does the t-shirts run true to size or are they 100% cotton where they shrink? Does everyone get the same box? I really love this box wondering if I order now would I get the August box ?
I would say the shirts run small and would suggest ordering a size up. I don’t think this box has variation so I believe you’d get the same box. Enjoy!
Thank you
I use stickers like that to decorate my laptop. This box totally hit my buttons (except Mega man, which is a late 80s thing when I was in college so too old to get into it). I absolutely loved the choose your own adventure books too.
Great idea to put them on my laptop. Thanks!
I love this box! Is there any way to purchase past boxes? This would be great for my husband’s birthday!
Hi Sara!
We contacted Retro Pop Box and they said purchasing past boxes is something they have in the works. They’re hoping to have it ready later this year.
Hope this helps!
Yes it does! Thank you!
Happy to help!
although I don’t subscribe to these retro boxes, I have enjoyed the reviews thoroughly. some of the items don’t ring a bell for me, but some of them…..instantly transport me back to childhood! I loved seeing the garbage pail kids from a previous box and those choose your own adventure books were my favorites growing up. you could read the same book over and over again and have a different story every time! what’s not to love?
I’m so glad to hear you’re enjoying the reviews! Yes, I agree that with so many different choices to make the story different each time, it was fun to read again and again!