In the Box: March 2016 Awesome Pack Big Kid Pack

This month's Awesome Pack Big Kid Pack was delayed, but they are always good about letting subscribers know.  The subscription is $44.99 a month and you can choose the Big Kid option (for those without kids - like me), or the Family option.  Their site does not have referral links set up yet, nor can you log into your account yet, but they do have a referral program, so if you do decide after reading my review to try it, I would very much appreciate if you told them you heard about it from me, rickimc [at] aol [dot] com.

For December, the main game was Hostage Negotiation (a $25.00 value) from Van Ryder Games.  What is super cool about this it is solely a single-player game!

This month, I received two additional games, but one could also be considered a collectible. First we have David L. Hoyt's Word Winder (a $12.99 value) from HL Games Unlimited.  This is the signature edition and can also be used to play RaceWinder. The game/collectible is My Little Pony Collectible Card Game Premiere Pack (a $5.00 value) from Enterplay.  I used to love CCGs, so I am kinda excited about this, even if I am not a fan of the current Ponies.

The collectible this month was a Harley Quinn Pop! Pin (a $5.50 value) from Funko.  Love this!  This month's Awesome Pack swag was the postcard again.

This month was another great one for me with Awesome Pack.  It came in at an $48.49 value, and I paid $44.95, which included shipping. If you would like to subscribe, once again, I ask that you say you heard it from me, rickimc [at] aol [dot] com.  (Please note: as games and collectibles can vary in price based on demand, I tried to take the price from the manufacturers site whenever possible.)

In the Box: February 2016 Awesome Pack Big Kid Pack

This month's Awesome Pack Big Kid Pack was about back to their normal shipping schedule (I think it just felt a little late due to February being a short month).  The subscription is $44.99 a month and you can choose the Big Kid option (for those without kids - like me), or the Family option.  Their site does not have referral links set up yet, nor can you log into your account yet, but they do have a referral program, so if you do decide after reading my review to try it, I would very much appreciate if you told them you heard about it from me, rickimc [at] aol [dot] com.

For December, the main game was Codenames (a $19.99 value) from Czech Game Editions.  I have seen this at the store and thought like it looked like a fun party game.  Now I need to have a party so I can play it.

This month, I received a small game and a puzzle. The game was 5 Crowns Mini Round (a $5.00 value) from Set Games.  Mini Rounds are Set's portable versions of their classic games. The puzzle is Lighthouse(a $7.99 value) from Mega Puzzle's Vibrant series.  The artwork is gorgeous and the the box is incredibly well-made for a puzzle.

The collectible this month was a Drax Guardians of the Galaxy Dorbz (a $7.95 value) from Funko.  This is so aDORBZable (he he).  I also received these cool Dark Side of Oz Tin Man Standard Deck Protectors (a $3.99 value) from Ultra Pro.  This month's Awesome Pack swag was the poster again.

This month was a total hit for me with Awesome Pack, but the lowest value one ever.  It came in at an $44.92 value, and I paid $44.95, which included shipping. If you would like to subscribe, once again, I ask that you say you heard it from me, rickimc [at] aol [dot] com.  (Please note: as games and collectibles can vary in price based on demand, I tried to take the price from the manufacturers site whenever possible.)

In the Box: January 2016 Awesome Pack Big Kid Pack

Just as last month's Awesome Pack Big Kid Pack was early, the January one was late (which they did email about it).  The subscription is $44.99 a month and you can choose the Big Kid option (for those without kids - like me), or the Family option.  Their site does not have referral links set up yet, nor can you log into your account yet, but they do have a referral program, so if you do decide after reading my review to try it, I would very much appreciate if you told them you heard about it from me, rickimc [at] aol [dot] com.

For December, the main game was Patchistory (a $60.00 value) from Stuntkite.  I have never heard of Stuntkite and their catalog is really small, but this looks like a lot of fun, especially for my husband who is a history buff.  It looks like if you order from the publisher's site, you will also get 6 extra promo tiles.

Both smaller games were card based.  First, we have The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Deck Building Game (a $40.00 value) from Cryptozoic Entertainment.  Cryptozoic makes awesome licensed games, so this should be a good one.  We also have Royal Flushter (a $5.99 value) from Patch (which has recently become Play Monster).  The name change is probably why I cannot find the game on the publisher's website - they are probably shifting products.

No collectibles, but I did get an activity this month - a Silver Engraving Kit, Wolf Moon (a $5.49 value) from Royal & Langnickel.  This looks kinda fun, but I don't think I have the artistic talent.  I'll still try it, though.  This month's Awesome Pack swag was a cute postcard.

This month was a total hit for me with Awesome Pack, and one of the highest value ones yet.  It came in at an $111.48 value, and I paid $44.95, which included shipping. If you would like to subscribe, once again, I ask that you say you heard it from me, rickimc [at] aol [dot] com.  (Please note: as games and collectibles can vary in price based on demand, I tried to take the price from the manufacturers site whenever possible.)

In the Box: November 2015 Awesome Pack Big Kid Pack

November's Awesome Pack Big Kid Pack may not have been as chock-full as October's, but it is perfect for all the upcoming holiday events with family.  The subscription is $44.99 a month and you can choose the Big Kid option (for those without kids - like me), or the Family option.  Their site does not have referral links set up yet, nor can you log into your account yet, but they do have a referral program, so if you do decide after reading my review to try it, I would very much appreciate if you told them you heard about it from me, rickimc [at] aol [dot] com.

For October, the main game was Patchwork ($25.oo value) from Mayfair Games. This is a two-player game that sounds easy and fun, and one I have had my eye on.

All of the smaller games this month came from Patch.  Golf (a $7.99 value) is a deck of golf-themed cards that can be used to play Fore! and Mulligan as well as regular card games.  Malarky (a $7.99 value) is a bluffing game, which should be a lot of fun with family.  Farkle Nano (a $5.99 value) is a keychain-sized version of the classic Farkle, which I had just been introduced to days before receiving my November Awesome Pack.

My other item this month was a classic Wooly Willy magnetic activity (a $1.99 value), also from Patch.  Not sure I will use this, but it does contain some great nostalgia.  For Awesome Pack goodies, I received a fun poster..

This was definitely, so far, the most awesome Awesome Pack!  Not the highest value Awesome Pack, but it still came in at $48.96 value, which is just over the $44.95, which included shipping. While this is probably the least value I have received in an Awesome Park, these are all very fun games..  If you would like to subscribe, once again, I ask that you say you heard it from me, rickimc [at] aol [dot] com.  (Please note: as games and collectibles can vary in price based on demand, I tried to take the price from the manufacturers site whenever possible.)

In the Box: October 2015 Awesome Pack Big Kid Pack

While's September's box may not have seemed the most customized, October's Awesome Pack Big Kid Pack was 100% me.  The subscription is $44.99 a month and you can choose the Big Kid option (for those without kids - like me), or the Family option.  Their site does not have referral links set up yet, nor can you log into your account yet, but they do have a referral program, so if you do decide after reading my review to try it, I would very much appreciate if you told them you heard about it from me, rickimc [at] aol [dot] com.

For October, the main game was Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas Munchkin ($24.95 value) from Steve Jackson Games. If you have never played Munchkin, you need to!  It is crazy fun and great for friends who do not mind a little backstabbing.  This version is based on The Nightmare Before Christmas movie and looks totally awesome.

For the smaller games, I received 3 card games.  First we have MindTrap Shadow Mysteries (a $8.95 value) from Outset Media.  I love mystery games, so this sounds totally cool.  In roughly the same vein, I also received Dark Stories (a $9.99 value) from Z-Man Games.  My final card game was Scopa (a $10.99 value) also from Outset Media, which is an Italian card game.

No collectibles this time since I received 3 smaller games, but due to an issue last month, I received a Something Extra Awesome (aka a bonus game), Marvel TCG: Spider-Man Vs. Doc-Ock 2-Player Starter Set (a $8.00 value) from Upper Dck.  For Awesome Pack goodies, I received two bookmarks.

This was definitely, so far, the most awesome Awesome Pack!  Not the highest value Awesome Pack, but it still came in at $62.88 value, and I got it all for $44.95, which included shipping. I still got a great deal, but even better, got amazingly awesome games.  If you would like to subscribe, once again, I ask that you say you heard it from me, rickimc [at] aol [dot] com.  (Please note: as games and collectibles can vary in price based on demand, I tried to take the price from the manufacturers site whenever possible.)

In the Box: September 2015 Awesome Pack Big Kid Pack

I will admit that I thought the September Awesome Pack Big Kid Pack was not as awesome as past awesome packs.  I know this was most likely due to some shipping issues from their suppliers. However, they still tried to customize it as much as possible without delaying it any further, and it was a still a great pack. The subscription is $44.99 a month and you can choose the Big Kid option (for those without kids - like me), or the Family option.  Their site does not have referral links set up yet, nor can you log into your account yet, but they do have a referral program, so if you do decide after reading my review to try it, I would very much appreciate if you told them you heard about it from me, rickimc [at] aol [dot] com.

For September, the main game was Walking Dead: Don't Look Back ($20.00 value) from Cryptozoic Entertainment. Cryptozoic makes some fun games based off of TV shows.  At first, I was like, okay, I do not watch Walking Dead.  Then I saw it was for 1-4 players which means I can play it solo, so score!

The first of the smaller games was also based on an entertainment licence, Mars Attacks: The Martian Takedown (a $9.99 value) from Steve Jackson Games.  Now, Mars Attacks is more my speed, so that interested me, but reading the back of the box did not excite me at all.  Now the second game, Trixo (a $14.95 value) from YNGI sounds exactly like how it is described on my info card - "seemingly simple awesome game!"

My collectibles this time included an Assassin's Creed III Connor Collectible Bust (a $19.99 value) from Imports Dragon.  do not play Assassin's Creed, so this is totally not me.  Now this Disney Tinkerbell Jakz (a $2.75 value) from Tomy was really cute.  For Awesome Pack goodies, I received two magnets (which I forgot to picture).

While not the most awesome, still a great Awesome Pack !  The items actually added up to an amazing $67.68 value, and I got it all for $44.95, which included shipping.  Not the highest value one I have received, but I really love the games this time around.  If you would like to subscribe, once again, I ask that you say you heard it from me, rickimc [at] aol [dot] com.  (Please note: as games and collectibles can vary in price based on demand, I tried to take the price from the manufacturers site whenever possible.).

In the Box: August 2015 Awesome Pack Big Kid Pack

I thought August was going to be my last Awesome Pack Big Kid Pack, but luckily, I can continue, so this will not be my last review! The subscription is $44.99 a month and you can choose the Big Kid option (for those without kids - like me), or the Family option.  Their site does not have referral links set up yet, nor can you log into your account yet, but they do have a referral program, so if you do decide after reading my review to try it, I would very much appreciate if you told them you heard about it from me, rickimc [at] aol [dot] com.

For August, the main game was Cacao ($34.95 value) from Z-Man Games. As you know, I love Z-Man games and I love chocolate, so this sounds perfect for me!  It's a worker placement game, which I have not played many of, so this will be a good challenge.

The first of the smaller games was Rumpelstiltskin (a $9.99 value) from AEG games.  This is a short two-player which is prefect for me and my husband.  I also received Poker Dice (a $1.49 value) by Koplow Games.  Seems like a good alternative to cards.

My collectibles this time were Crazy Cube Soccer Shootout (a $9.99 value).  I guess this can also count as a game, but it is not really for me.  Closer to my interests was The Smurfs Tag Athon Collectible Game Booster Pack (a $0.99 value) from WizKids.  While I do not play the game (sounds like HeroClix), I do love the Smurfs.  For Awesome Pack goodies, I received my two favorites from the past (probably because I thought it would be my last), the pen and bookmark.

Of course, another awesome Awesome Pack !  The items actually added up to an amazing $57.41 value, and I got it all for $44.95, which included shipping.  Not the highest value one I have received, but I really love the games this time around.  If you would like to subscribe, once again, I ask that you say you heard it from me, rickimc [at] aol [dot] com.  (Please note: as games and collectibles can vary in price based on demand, I tried to take the price from the manufacturers site whenever possible.)

In the Box: July 2015 Awesome Pack

July brought another awesome Awesome Pack Big Kid Pack. The subscription is $44.99 a month and you can choose the Big Kid option (for those without kids - like me), or the Family option.  Their site does not have referral links set up yet, nor can you log into your account yet, but they do have a referral program, so if you do decide after reading my review to try it, I would very much appreciate if you told them you heard about it from me, rickimc [at] aol [dot] com.

For July, the main game was Bremerhaven (a $55.00 value) from Mayfair Games. This says it is a "strategy game for experienced gamers", so I am worried it will be too difficult for my husband to agree to play, but the theme might be enough to sway him.

The smaller games this month really excited me.  First up was another Z-Man game (if you have read my past reviews, you know that I think they make great games), Batt'l Kha'os (an $18.00 value).  This is not in their current catalog, so that means it is older, but that does not mean it is not cool.  The game, though, that I was most excited about was Crap or Slap! (a $13.99 value) by Twilight Creations.  Oddly, this came out less than a year ago, but I cannot find it in their catalog, which is odd because it sounds amazing - a great party game in the vein of Apples to Apples or CAH.

The collectible this time was a Portal 2 Keychain (a $12.95 value). I do not really know what Portal 2 is (a video game?), but I love keychains.  This, though, is too big for my current purse, so it will have to wait until fall to get used.  Awesome Pack swag this month was a new magnet, and I collect magnets!

Another awesome Awesome Pack !  The items actually added up to an amazing $99.94 value, and I got it all for $44.95 (less than half!), which included shipping.  If you would like to subscribe, once again, I ask that you say you heard it from me, rickimc [at] aol [dot] com.  (Please note: as games and collectibles can vary in price based on demand, I tried to take the price from the manufacturers site whenever possible.)

In the Box: June 2015 Awesome Pack

Late posting on this again!  June, though had an awesome Awesome Pack Big Kid Pack. The subscription is $44.99 a month and you can choose the Big Kid option (for those without kids - like me), or the Family option.  Their site does not have referral links set up yet, nor can you log into your account yet, but they do have a referral program, so if you do decide after reading my review to try it, I would very much appreciate if you told them you heard about it from me, rickimc [at] aol [dot] com.

For June, the main game was Helios (a $64.99 value) from Z-Man Games. I received some Z-Man games last month, and already knew this was a great game publisher.  Helios is based on fantasy/mythology, so I know I will love it!

My smaller game this month was really small!  Karma Mini Round (a $5.00 value) is a mint-tin sized portable card games by the makers of Set (which is one of the best games ever!).  I also received this box of 10 Wild & Wonderful puzzles (a $36.99 value), which I busted open immediately.

The collectible this time was a Series 1 Micro Figure (a $3.95 value).  As they are not LEGO, I really had no interest and already traded them.  However, the Awesome Pack swag this month was a cool bookmark, which I love!

Aside from the colectible which was a bust for me, this month's Awesome Pack was awesome!  The items actually added up t0 an amazing $110.93 value, and I got it all for $44.95, which included shipping.  If you would like to subscribe, once again, I ask that you say you heard it from me, rickimc [at] aol [dot] com.  (Please note: as games and collectibles can vary in price based on demand, I tried to take the price from the manufacturers site whenever possible.)

In the Box: May 2015 Awesome Pack

This post is a little late, but May's Awesome Pack Big Kid Pack totally delivered once again! The subscription is $44.99 a month and you can choose the Big Kid option (for those without kids - like me), or the Family option.  Their site does not have referral links set up yet, nor can you log into your account yet, but they do have a referral program, so if you do decide after reading my review to try it, I would very much appreciate if you told them you heard about it from me, rickimc [at] aol [dot] com.

For May, the main game was Akrotiri (a $29.99 value) from Z-Man Games. I was first introduced to Z-Man Games by one of our local comic book stores, and they do make awesome stuff.  Akrotiri is a two-player game, which is perfect since it is just my husband and me, where you play ancient Greeks exploring the Aegean Sea.

Instead of any collectibles this month, everything else I received was game-related.  While it was not the main board game, the most expensive items this month was a special edition Firefly RPG Rulebook from 2013 GenCon (a $49.99 for the non-special edition version.  While I am not a tabletop RPGer, I have friends who are who also love Firefly.  Next up is another Z-Man game, Pocket Battles Fantasy #1 Orcs vs Elves (a $14.99 value).  I am super excited for this!  It is another 2-player game (score!) and it is the first of the fantasy series, and I love fantasy!  Last up was an expansion pack for Munchkin, Munchkin Gets Promoted (a $4.95 value).  I love Munchkin, but I do not have the original version, so I will have to wait to get that before I can play this (this is my fault because I did check Munchkin on my original survey because I had a version of it).

While April's Big Kid Awesome Pack was a little lighter than some other months, it was no less awesome!  The items actually added up t0 an amazing $99.92 value, and I got it all for $44.95, which included shipping.  If you would like to subscribe, once again, I ask that you say you heard it from me, rickimc [at] aol [dot] com.  (Please note: as games and collectibles can vary in price based on demand, I tried to take the price from the manufacturers site whenever possible.)

In the Box: April 2015 Awesome Pack Big Kid Box

This month's Awesome Pack Big Kid Pack was once again awesome! The subscription is $44.99 a month and you can choose the Big Kid option (for those without kids - like me), or the Family option.  Their site does not have referral links set up yet, nor can you log into your account yet, but they do have a referral program, so if you do decide after reading my review to try it, I would very much appreciate if you told them you heard about it from me, rickimc [at] aol [dot] com.

For April, the "big" game was Pamplona (a $37.92 value (converted from Euros as of date of posting)).  Obviously if I had to convert the price from Euros, this is from a European publisher, Ghenos, which totally makes sense as this game is about something distinctly European - or Spanish actually - the Running of the Bulls.  It sounds like it does pack the excitement of the actual event...without any of the danger.  (Please ignore the paws and stuffed armadillo.  While Awesome Pack does have a pet option, I have not tried it for my dog; she just thought she needed to get into my picture)

In addition to a "big" game, smaller games are also included in the Big Kid pack.  This month, we were back down to the normal two, but these are two great ones.  Jab: Realtime Boxing (a $19.99 value) has been on my wishlist for a long time now.  I am a big fan of Tasty Minstrel (I mean, who can resist a publisher with a name like that and an adorable dragon as their logo?) and have back many of their games on Kickstarter, but this is one I do not have in my collection.  (FYI, Tasty Minstrel has a lot of their games at half price on Amazon right now - including this one! - so I suggest grabbing a copy if you are interested).  My other smaller game this month is Gold Thief (a $4.00 value).  This is the first game every made by Asmadi, which appears to a be a small publisher with a lot of affordable games.

Now my next item supercool for two reasons: 1. it came from Steve Jackson Games and 2. it is purple and blue swirly!  Now, I am not sure what Hipster Dice (a $4.95 value) is, but I can tell you I got the Aquapunk version.  The back says its a party game, so I guess I will have to actually open it and read the instructions to figure it out.  The website is no help either, but it all kinda goes with this hipster attitude this die seems to be trying to project.  On the other hand, I do know what a Marvel Miniature Alliance Figure (a $2.99 value) is, but I do not know which one I received.  I am debating whether to open this, or give it to someone who is more of a superhero geek than I am.  The final item in my Awesome Pack was some new Awesome Pack swag.  It may be just a pen, but pens are always useful.

All told, my March Awesome pack had an estimated retail value of $69.85 and I got it all for $44.95, which included shipping.  If you would like to subscribe, once again, I ask that you say you heard it from me, rickimc [at] aol [dot] com.  (Please note: as games and collectibles can vary in price based on demand, I tried to take the price from the manufacturers site whenever possible.)