Hey, everyone! We're back today with an unboxing and review video of the April, 2017 Loot Gaming crate. No, no, we're not jumping back into a subscription program. Instead, this is just a one-off since we got super excited when we saw a preview for one of the items in the box. Anyway, here's the video:
We hope you enjoyed that. More is coming very soon to In Box, so stay tuned!
What's up, everyone? Mike here, and I am a huge fan of the WWE, so when Loot Crate announced that they were teaming up with them, I was hyped! Fast forward to today and I am so excited to be unboxing and reviewing the WWE Slam Crate. Check out the video!
Should I have done a Macho Man impression instead? Oh, man. Now, I wish I had a Slim Jim in the video! Anyway, I hope you enjoyed it. Now, let's get to the written stuff. ;)
In case some of you haven't heard of Loot Crate, it’s a monthly subscription box that caters to "nerds" and "geeks". Each month, subscribers get a box of items that match the announced theme. WWE Slam Crate is a bi-monthly Loot Crate "spin off" that caters to fans of pro wrestling. Like its parent program, WWE Slam Crate has different subscription options. Here's a breakdown with shipping to Canada included:
1 Crate Every Other Month - $59.00 CAD per crate
3 Crates Over 6 Months - $172.00 CAD every 6 months
6 Crates Over 1 Year - $335.00 CAD per year
Okay, so the program looks expensive, but it's expected due to the weak Canadian dollar compared to the US dollar, plus the shipping. One can only hope the items are still worth the price tag.
OCTOBER, 2016
One of the things that Loot Crate is well known for is having themes for their boxes. For example, the October theme was "Horror" and there were some incredible items from movie franchises like "Nightmare on Elm Street" and "Friday the 13th". What I found interesting was that for the first WWE Slam Crate, there was no theme announced. But, if you think about it for just a second, "WWE" is a theme itself. I honestly don't feel that themes are needed, although I do expect something special for Wrestlemania and Summer Slam. Anyway, I'm okay with there being no theme.
Now, let's move on to the items themselves. Here's a list of what I received, along with approximate Canadian prices:
- Shinsuke Nakamura Poster ($5.00 CAD)
- Austin Aries Trading Card ($0.75 CAD)
- NXT Patch ($5.00 CAD)
- Mitch the Plant ($8.00 CAD)
- Dean Ambrose Belt Buckle ($15.00 CAD)
- Sasha Banks Shades ($12.00 CAD)
- Enzo and Cass T-Shirt ($35.00 CAD)
- The New Day Vinyl Figure ($18.00 CAD)
WWE Slam Crate Custom Box
Like all Loot Crate boxes, the Slam Crate box has a custom design on the inside. As would be expected, there's a wrestling ring and some WWE Superstars. Since this is the first Slam Crate, there are also the words "The First" in front of The New Day. The overall design is pretty cool, but nothing special. It's not a criticism, though. I didn't expect anything else.
Shinsuke Nakamura Poster
Following in the footsteps of Loot Anime, WWE Slam Crate has a poster instead of the mini magazine found in the standard Loot Crate. What impresses me is that on the back of this awesome Shinsuke Nakamura poster is an article about Xavier Woods! I wasn't expecting anything outside of photos and descriptions of the items in the box. Having an article adds so much to this poster and I really appreciate it.
Austin Aries Trading Card
I had no idea Topps still made WWE trading cards, but it's still pretty cool getting one featuring Austin Aries. Still, I have no need for a trading card, so it's time for the first ever
In Box with Mike & Jess Giveaway!!!
On Saturday, November 19th, 2016, NXT Takeover will be in Toronto, and Jess and I are going to be there! The first person who is going to the show and comments on the YouTube video above about wanting the card gets it!
(Arrangements for meeting up at the show will then be discussed via private message.)
NXT Patch
Continuing with the NXT goodness is this sweet patch. I still haven't actually done anything with the various patches I've received from Loot Crate, but I still love'em all. This NXT one is right up there as one of my faves.
Mitch the Plant
I can't even begin to properly describe how ridiculously amazing this item is! Yes, it's Mitch the Plant. Yes, you grow a plant in that pot. Yes, I'm going to grow the plant. This is awesome! Clap clap clapclapclap! This is awesome! Clap clap clapclapclap!
Deam Ambrose Belt Buckle
This belt buckle is crazy cool and insanely well made. I will be rockin' it for sure!
Sasha Banks Shades
Ah, finally some representation for the women of the WWE, and what a fitting item to do that in the first ever Slam Crate. Sasha Banks is a big deal these days and one of the top female wrestlers right now. I can't think of a better item than her iconic shades to include in this box.
Enzo and Cass T-Shirt
I love this shirt's design. It's just so... Enzo and Cass! I have to note, though, that unlike the softer, stretchier t-shirts used in the standard Loot Crate, this shirt is the same kind of shirt used by WWE's official shop. It's thicker and has less give. But, hey, if you're used to wearing WWE's shirts, you'll be a-okay with this.
The New Day Vinyl Figure
It's the New Day, yes it is! And, they're riding a unicorn that's wearing Chucks and shades. NICE! I love this figure, but I also have a couple of issues with it. First, the tops that Kofi, Xavier, and Big E are wearing are very plain. I feel that adding the New Day logo on their fronts would have made a huge difference in making the figure look less bland. Secondly... Well... The faces are a little odd. Here, have a look.
I get that the designer was going for a cute, cartoony look, but the end result is a little on the creepy side. Those beady eyes are the stuff of nightmares. Still, those faces combined with the rest of the figure de-creepify things enough that I still love this figure and will definitely display it.
OVERVIEW
As far as first crates go, Loot Crate did a phenomenal job with the WWE Slam Crate. The items are all great and it's clear that a good amount of thought was put into making sure fans were satisfied. The overall value of the items definitely makes the program worth it at this time. So, will I continue my subscription? I think I will for 1 more crate to see how things go. I feel that keeping this going long term, though, will leave me with more WWE than I need.
If you're interested in learning more about Loot Crate or WWE Slam Crate, please check out the web site HERE. Use code SAVE3 to get $3 off a new subscription.
Thanks for watching and reading. Stay tuned for more In Box coming soon!
Hey, everyone! It’s almost October and I just received my August Loot Crate! Yes, you read that right - “August”. While Americans have already received their September Loot Crates, we up here in the Great White North are finally getting a partial reprieve from our tears shed after having the Anti-Hero items rubbed in our faces online. You’re probably wondering why it’s taken so long for us in Canada to get our Crates. Well, we have something called “Canada Post” and they hate us. All of us. They enjoy making us wait ridiculous amounts of time for everything and are powered by tears, especially those of children. Damn you, Canada Post. Damn you to Heeeeeelllllllllllll!!!
Oh, and here’s a video showing me unboxing my Crate:
And, here’s a photo of everything together, marking the true beginning of this blog entry:
For those of you who aren’t familiar of Loot Crate, it’s a monthly subscription box that caters to "nerds" and "geeks". Each month, subscribers get a themed box of 4 to 8 items. There are several different subscription options you can choose from. Here's a breakdown with shipping to Canada included:
1 Month Plan - $29.95 USD / $41.00 CAD per month
3 Month Plan - $84.00 USD / $114.00 CAD per 3 months
6 Month Plan - $162.00 USD / $219.00 CAD per 6 months
1 Year Plan - $312.00 / $423.00 CAD per year (includes Bonus T-Shirt)
As some of you who have read this blog in the past have probably noticed, the cost for this program has gone up significantly for Canadians, due in part to our weak dollar at the moment. Regardless of the reason, this hurts. One can only hope the items are still worth the price tag.
AUGUST, 2016 - ANTI-HERO
When I received my Crate, I had waited so long for it that I had honestly forgotten what the theme was. Before making the unboxing video, I actually had to Google it! I also have no memory of what I felt when I first heard about the theme back in July. So, I’m just going to jump right into listing the items in the box with approximate Canadian pricing noted:
- Loot Crate Mini Magazine ($2.50 CAD)
- Loot Crate Theme Pin ($2.50 CAD)
- Archer T-Shirt ($18.00 CAD)
- Hellboy Money Bank ($20.00 CAD)
- Kill Bill Socks ($10.00 CAD)
- Harley Quinn Q-Fig ($20.00 CAD)
Loot Crate Custom Box
This is by far one of the best custom box designs I’ve seen from Loot Crate. I love how much fun it is! Plus, look how badass it makes me look! :p
Loot Crate Mini Magazine
This month’s magazine is packed with great articles, like “What’s the deal with Hellboy’s Hand?”, “History of Harley Quinn”, and “Favorite Running Gags From Archer”. There’s even a recipe!
Loot Crate Theme Pin
I used to play “World of Warcraft” quite a bit, but have been away from it for a long time. Still, I appreciate this month’s pin and am in awe at how detailed it is.
Archer T-Shirt
This is a very appropriate t-shirt since it’s the US Presidential Election this year. As a fan of “Archer”, I love the design.
Hellboy Money Bank
This Loot Crate Exclusive is fantastic! Detailed, sturdy, great for displaying on a shelf, and perfect for saving money to take Jess on a trip to Europe. I have lots of love for this piggy bank!
Kill Bill Socks
I wear colourful socks almost every day. What’s better than colourful socks? Colourful socks featuring nerdy things that I love. These “Kill Bill” socks are going to be on my feet over and over again.
Harley Quinn Q-Fig
This is by far the best Q-Fig I’ve seen. Harley’s pose is quite fitting. The details are off the charts. The paint job is nearly perfect. I can’t wait for people to see this little statue on my bookshelf. This is definitely my favourite item in this Crate.
OVERVIEW
Loot Crate has done it again! Phenomenal items, amazing value, fantastic theming, and top marks in the fun department make this one of the best boxes they’ve ever put together. It makes me incredibly excited for the September Crate, which will hopefully arrive soon.
It you’re interested in Loot Crate or want to sign up, head over to their web site HERE. Use code SAVE10 for 10% off a new subscription.
And, that’s a wrap. More unboxings and reviews are coming soon, so stay tuned!
Hey, everyone! Mike here, and we have a brand new feature here at In Box! In our last entry, we did a video review using a GoPro and got some really good feedback. So, today, we are happy to bring you our very first video unboxing, featuring the August box from Loot Gaming!
As mentioned in the video, we are going to continue with our usual written review, so here goes!
In case some of you haven't heard of Loot Crate, it’s a monthly subscription box that caters to "nerds" and "geeks". Each month, subscribers get a box of items that match the announced theme. Loot Gaming is the video game version of Loot Crate and caters to gamers. Like its parent program, Loot Gaming has different subscription options. Here's a breakdown with shipping to Canada included:
1 Month Plan - $34.95 USD / $47.00 CAD per month
3 Month Plan - $101.85 USD / $138.00 CAD per 3 months
6 Month Plan - $197.70 USD / $268.00 CAD per 6 months
1 Year Plan - $383.40 / $519.00 CAD per year
If you've seen the pricing for Loot Crate, you will notice that Loot Gaming is more expensive. Plus, the conversion to Canadian Dollars is pretty painful, probably due to the weak dollar over here. One can only hope the items are still worth the price tag.
AUGUST, 2016 - MECHA
It's September, but I only just received my Crate. As mentioned in our previous Loot Gaming review, this program ships later than Loot Crate, so Canadians will generally not be receiving their boxes until after the intended month. I'm personally okay with that, but I can understand if some of you aren't.
Of course, at the end of the day, what matters is what items are included in the box and whether they are worth it. Let's start having a loot at that with a list of what I got:
- Loot Gaming Mini Magazine ($2.50 CAD)
- Loot Gaming Theme Pin ($2.50 CAD)
- Destiny T-Shirt ($18.00 CAD)
- LawBreakers Cap ($15.00 CAD)
- Bioshock Patch ($10.00 CAD)
- Deus Ex Figure ($18.00 CAD)
- Borderlands Bottle Opener ($15.00 CAD)
Loot Gaming Custom Box
A while back, Loot Crate started to provide a custom design inside the box every single month. Now, there are a lot of spin-off Crates, each with their own box designs as well. Eventually, a somewhat lazy design will pop up, and I feel this is one of them. This armory design does not fully fit the "Mecha" theme this month. I mean, it's still kind of cool and I can somewhat understand how this is considered "Mecha", but I feel like the designers could have come up with something better.
Loot Gaming Mini Magazine
I've said it before and I'll say it again - I love the mini magazines that Loot Crate provides. This thing is packed with content, including a great interview and an article on Transhumanism. A great read.
Loot Gaming Theme Pin
I am loving these new metal pins. This month's design features a cyborg hand. Very fitting for the theme.
Destiny T-Shirt
There was a period of 3 months a while back where I played "Destiny" exclusively. I love that game and still don't know why I stopped playing. This shirt featuring character designs from the game is really nice. Not only do I love the design, but I am also impressed with the soft, stretchy fabric of the shirt itself. This is top quality material Loot Crate is using and I appreciate it.
LawBreakers Cap
I have honestly never heard of the game "LawBreakers", so I can't tell whether it is considered "Mecha" or not. But, I like the design of this cap and will definitely wear is from time to time. Alternatively, I may give it to my best friend, who I feel this design represents quite well. LOL
Bioshock Patch
I love Bioshock and was very excited to pull this Big Daddy patch out of my Crate. The details are amazing and the large size of the patch itself really impresses. This is definitely a keeper!
Deus Ex Figure
I've only ever played one of the "Deus Ex" games for a short amount of time, but it was fun and I definitely want to give it another shot. This figure from "Mankind Divided" has a detailed chibi design that looks fantastic on display. My only complaint is that my figure seems to be leaning back just a bit. Thankfully, it still stands. I just have to be careful not to bump whatever shelf I'm putting it on too hard.
Borderlands Bottle Opener
This is by far one of the best items I've ever received from Loot Crate and Loot Gaming. I love this metal Claptrap bottle opener! It's sturdy and looks amazing. Plus, it has magnets on the back so I can stick it on my fridge. NICE!
OVERVIEW
All in all, I think this was a good Crate. It had fantastic items that were well worth the subscription cost. I do have to question the thought put into the theme, though. I'm not fully convinced that "Borderlands" and "Bioshock" can be considered "Mecha", though Claptrap is certainly a robot. Does a robotic element in a generally not-very-mecha series count? I'm not 100% sure. And, then, there's the box design. An armory is not exactly very "Mecha". Still, taken as a whole, there's more "Mecha" than not, so I feel Loot Gaming has still succeeded. And, did I mention the items are great?
If you're interested in learning more about Loot Crate and Loot Gaming, be sure to check out their web site HERE. And, if you enjoyed our new video unboxing feature, please let us know. We would also appreciate any advice on how to improve our videos since we're very new to this kind of thing. Thanks!
And, that's it for this entry. Stay tuned for more In Box, coming soon!
Hey, everyone! Mike here, and as you can probably tell by the title of this entry, I have subscribed to one of the "spin-off" Loot Crates. Here, have a look:
In case some of you haven't heard of Loot Crate, it’s a monthly subscription box that caters to "nerds" and "geeks". Each month, subscribers get a box of items that match the announced theme. Loot Gaming is the video game version of Loot Crate and caters to gamers. Like its parent program, Loot Gaming has different subscription options. Here's a breakdown with shipping to Canada included:
1 Month Plan - $34.95 USD / $47.00 CAD per month
3 Month Plan - $101.85 USD / $138.00 CAD per 3 months
6 Month Plan - $197.70 USD / $268.00 CAD per 6 months
1 Year Plan - $383.40 / $519.00 CAD per year
If you've seen the pricing for Loot Crate, you will notice that Loot Gaming is more expensive. Plus, the conversion to Canadian Dollars is pretty painful, probably due to the weak dollar over here. One can only hope the items are still worth the price tag.
JULY, 2016 - STRANDED
Yes, it's mid-August and I just received my July Loot Gaming box. This is probably because Loot Gaming ships later than Loot Crate. I can understand that with so many spin-offs and one-offs, Loot Crate needs to stagger their shipping, but it would have been nice to receive the July box in July. Oh, well. Such is life!
So, what items did I receive in my box? Here's a list with approximate Canadian pricing:
- Loot Gaming Mini Magazine ($2.50 CAD)
- Loot Gaming Theme Pin ($2.50 CAD)
- Far Cry Primal T-Shirt ($18.00 CAD)
- Dead Island Towel ($15.00 CAD)
- Assassin's Creed Flask ($13.50 CAD)
- Tomb Raider Figure ($12.00 CAD)
Loot Gaming Custom Box
Like with Loot Crate, subscribers to Loot Gaming receive their items in a box that has a themed design inside. As seen in the photo above, the July box can be folded into a cool temple shrine. My only criticism is that the steps printed on the lid look awkward when the box is placed on a flat surface. The main body of the box would have to be raised up, allowing the lid to come downwards, for the design to truly look right.
Loot Gaming Mini Magazine
I'm a big fan of Loot Crate's mini magazines and the quality in the Stranded issue for Loot Gaming is equivalent. I especially liked reading the interview with actor Phil LaMarr.
Loot Gaming Theme Pin
The pin I received in my Loot Gaming box follows the new circular design of the Loot Crate pins, which is fantastic. I'm not sure that a hunting knife is the best representation of being stranded, but I actually really like the design as a whole.
Far Cry Primal T-Shirt
I recently bought "Far Cry: Primal", but haven't played it yet. I'll definitely be wearing this shirt when I do 'cause it looks really cool.
Dead Island Towel
I'm a huge fan of zombie games, but I have yet to play "Dead Island". Now that I have this awesome towel, I guess I'll have to sooner than later! Also, I need to mention that this is a very creative item for a subscription box. It was totally unexpected.
Assassin's Creed Flask
I've always wanted a flask and now, I have one from "Assassin's Creed: Black Flag". Nice!
Tomb Raider Figure
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of "Tomb Raider", Loot Gaming included this exclusive vinyl figure. It's cute and badass at the same time, but there are some problems. I'll start with this photo:
The box the figure came in was a little beat up because the packers had to stuff it into a shipping box that was just a bit too small for all the items in it. Considering how small the actual figure is, I think a smaller box for it would have been a good idea to avoid it getting squished and to also be less wasteful.
As for the figure itself, I had to lean it against the box in the first photo because it is very top-front-heavy and the bottoms of its boots are uneven. Here, have a look:
As you can see, most of the mass of the head is in the front. Combine that with the arms pointing forward and we already have a problem keeping this figure standing on its own. The uneven boot bottoms just make matters worse.
I'm quite disappointed in this figure. As great as it looks, it seems whoever designed it rushed things and now I can't display it properly. It's a shame.
OVERVIEW
My first experience with Loot Gaming was mostly positive. Despite the higher price tag for the subscription compared to Loot Crate and the low amount of items, the overall value was definitely good. The items themselves were also great for the most part. I especially liked the flask and the towel. The only item that wasn't up to par was the "Tomb Raider" figure.
Would I recommend Loot Gaming? It's a little early to say. I'm definitely going to stay on for at least one more month, though, so stay tuned for another Loot Gaming review next month. If you're interested in learning more directly from the source, you can visit the Loot Crate web site HERE.
As always, thanks for reading and see you again soon!
Hey, everyone! Mike here, and yes, you read the title right. I am a Looter once again! For how long, I do not know. What I do know is that I was overjoyed to receive a Crate this month. Here it is in all its glory:
In case some of you haven't heard of Loot Crate, it’s a monthly subscription box that caters to "nerds" and "geeks". Each month, subscribers get a themed box of 6 to 8 items. What's interesting is that Loot Crate has different subscription programs. Here's a breakdown with shipping to Canada included:
1 Month Plan - $29.95 USD / $41.00 CAD per month
3 Month Plan - $84.00 USD / $114.00 CAD per 3 months
6 Month Plan - $162.00 USD / $219.00 CAD per 6 months
1 Year Plan - $312.00 / $423.00 CAD per year (includes Bonus T-Shirt)
As some of you who have read this blog in the past have probably noticed, the cost for this program has gone up significantly for Canadians, probably due to our weak dollar at the moment. Regardless of the reason, this hurts. One can only hope the items are still worth the price tag.
JULY, 2016 - FUTURISTIC
This is the first time since getting into subscription boxes that I didn't know the theme of a box beforehand, so I honestly didn't know what to expect. Upon opening my Crate, I was greeted with what seemed like Sci-Fi items. As it turned out, the theme was Futuristic, so I wasn't far off the mark. Here's what I got, along with approximate Canadian pricing:
- Loot Crate Mini Magazine ($2.50 CAD)
- Loot Crate Theme Pin ($2.50 CAD)
- Rick and Morty T-Shirt ($18.00 CAD)
- Star Trek Decal ($5.00 CAD)
- Mega Man Kidrobot Figure ($11.00 CAD)
- 4001 AD #1 Comic ($5.00 CAD)
- Futurama Ship Model ($20.00 CAD)
Loot Crate Custom Box
Custom box designs have become the norm for Loot Crate, and one of the things I've been wondering is when they will run out of good ideas. Based on this month's awesome ship hanger design, the answer is "not just yet".
Loot Crate Mini Magazine
The cover design for the mini magazine is lackluster, but the contents are phenomenal. For example, there is a fun article that ranks the Star Trek captains, a 2-page Rick and Morty spread for you to colour in, and a list of times Futurama made people cry.
Loot Crate Theme Pin
My favourite "new style" pin so far. I think it's absolutely fitting for this month's theme. Plus, this is the first Loot Crate pin I've received that I feel truly doesn't scream "Loot Crate". Only people "in the know" know where I got it and that's something I appreciate.
Rick and Morty T-Shirt
I'm a huge fan of Rick and Morty, so it should come as no surprise that I have already started wearing this awesome shirt that features Rick's portal gun. Sweet!
Star Trek Decal
I love Star Trek: The Next Generation, but this item is kind of lame. I guess I'm just not that big a fan of decals.
Mega Man Kid Robot Figure
Although I haven't opened this Mega Man blind box yet, the mini magazine has noted that what's inside is the red and white Mega Man. As I'm not a particularly huge fan of the video games, I'll either give this away or open it sometime in the future. Still, I'm pretty sure fans of Mega Man would love this item.
4001 AD #1 Comic
Prior to receiving this comic, I had never heard of 4001 AD before. I really appreciate receiving the first issue so I get to start at the beginning. Thanks, Loot Crate!
Futurama Ship Model
This!... THIS! Man, THIS is why I love Loot Crate. Such a fantastic item. Now, if only Jess and I can find some shelf space for it... LOL
OVERVIEW
I can honestly say that I am very happy to be back with Loot Crate again. This box was wonderful! Great items, phenomenal value, and definitely a lot of thought put into the theme. See, this is why Loot Crate is the best nerdy subscription box out there and also why I can recommend it without any hesitation.
Want more info? Check out their web site by clicking HERE and use code SAVE10 to save 10% on a new subscription.
And, that's all for this month. Stay tuned for more In Box in August!
