What's Included in a Gaming Subscription Box?

Gaming subscription boxes can include a variety of games, apparel, and novelty items. However, most boxes are focused on either the games or the merchandise—so it's important to choose the right option based on the items you want. Some game-focused boxes also offer extra add-ons for those interested in both.

Are Gaming Subscription Boxes Worth It?

Gaming subscription boxes are worth it for gaming enthusiasts interested in games or merchandise. These boxes typically include items at discounted prices or specialty items that are hard to find elsewhere. Everyone who subscribes usually gets the same set of items, although some services give customers control over the types of loot they receive.

What Kinds of Gaming Subscription Boxes Are There?

Gaming subscription boxes are geared toward specific types of gaming enthusiasts. Some options are focused on retro and classic games (suitable for old-school gaming systems and consoles), others offer games for newer consoles, and a few gaming subscriptions are great for those interested in apparel and merchandise.

Do Gaming Subscription Boxes Make a Great Gift?

Gaming subscription boxes make great gifts for the gamers in your life, but it's important to choose the right box for each individual. For example, Mario’s Mystery Block probably won’t appeal to the same gamers as the Loot Gaming crate. If you’re getting someone a subscription box as a gift, it helps to know what types of games they like. It’s also important to note that many gaming subscription crates don’t include actual games.

5 Best Gaming Subscription Boxes of 2023

Gaming subscription boxes, also known as loot crates or loot boxes, make excellent gifts for gamers. Whether you’re a gamer yourself, or you’re getting a subscription for someone else, it’s important to know exactly what you’re signing up for.

These subscriptions often include items like games for classic and modern gaming systems, retro games for collectors, merchandise, themed goods from popular franchises, accessories, and even surprise items each month. We’ve compared the best gaming subscription boxes based on the value and quality of perks members receive to help you find the best option.

5 Best Gaming Subscription Boxes of 2023

Best Overall: Loot Gaming
Best Nintendo Subscription Box: Mario’s Mystery Block
Best Retro Gaming Subscription Box: Video Games Monthly
Best Gaming Gear and Apparel: Air Drop
Best for Collectors: Retro Game Treasure

Best Overall: Loot Gaming

Price: $29.99 to $39.99 per month
Subscription Plans: Monthly; various merchandise options
Shipping: Calculated per shipment (ships end of the month)

Why We Chose It

Loot Gaming offers several different Loot Crates with merchandise, apparel, and franchise-specific items to suit all types of gaming interests for a reasonable monthly cost.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Multiple loot options to choose from
Themes for many different franchises
Discounted merchandise for subscribers

Cons

Shipping costs extra
No boxes with games available

Overview

Loot Crate is a subscription service that offers many different boxes, specializing in gaming-related merchandise.

Boxes can contain T-shirts, mugs, plush toys, figurines, and more. Crates never include any actual games, so if you’re buying for someone else, you don’t have to worry about which system they own. The only personalized information you need to provide is a shirt size.

Subscription plans start at $29.99 per month, but you get a small discount if you commit to a six-month or annual plan. The variety and quality of the contents make Loot Gaming the best overall gaming subscription box for fans of gamer culture.

Best Nintendo Subscription Box: Mario’s Mystery Block

Price: Price: $19.99 to $29.99 per month
Subscription Plans: Monthly; T-shirt box or mystery item box
Shipping: Starts at $8.99 (ships in first two weeks of the month)

Why We Chose It

Mario's Mystery Block includes "all things Nintendo," ranging from T-shirts to toys, novelty items, candy, books, and more.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Surprise themes each month
Wide variety of items included
Multiple subscription options to choose from

Cons

Shipping costs extra
Not customizable besides shirt size

Overview

Nintendo is known for family-friendly content, which is why Mario’s Mystery Block is perfect for gamers of all ages. Although the company is not officially associated with Nintendo, all of the items come from popular Nintendo franchises such as Super Mario, Zelda, and Pokémon.

Most boxes contain a T-shirt, so you’ll be asked to provide a shirt size. Other possible contents include officially licensed Nintendo plush toys, figurines, hats, and candy. Although it’s aimed at kids, many adults who grew up on Nintendo games would proudly show off such swag. Pricing ranges from $19.99 (Mystery T-Shirt Box) to $29.99 per month (Mystery Block Box).

The Mystery Block option contains three to six Nintendo-themed goods worth about $40, while the Mystery T-Shirt option includes one shirt with an exclusive design. While the savings aren’t exceptional, the quality of the contents is very high. No games or consoles are included, but each box focuses on a specific franchise. If you just want items that feature a specific character, you can purchase past crates individually from the website.

Best Retro Gaming Subscription Box: Video Games Monthly

Price: $34.99 to $79.99 per month
Subscription Plans: Monthly; 3 games, 4 games, 5 games, or 10 games
Shipping: Calculated per shipment (ships before the 10th of each month)

Why We Chose It

Video Games Monthly ships games for all sorts of retro gaming consoles (from the beloved Nintendo 64 to Gameboy, Atari, GameCube, Dreamcast, and more) with customization options to choose games for your systems and exclude games you already have.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Affordable price per game
Includes games for a large variety of systems
Customizable to avoid duplicate games

Cons

Shipping costs extra

Overview

Video Games Monthly is perfect for gamers who don’t have the latest and greatest consoles. Every month, subscribers get games for classic systems from as far back as the 1970s. This includes games for the original Atari 2600, Intellivision, Gameboy, Gameboy Advance, Dreamcast, and Gamecube. There are also games for modern consoles like the PS3 and Xbox 360. When you sign up, you tell them which systems and games you already have in your library. That way, they can send you new games for the platforms you own.

What really makes this service stand out is its flexibility. There are multiple plans, starting at $34.99 per month for three games and going up to $79.99 for 10 games. Games ship reliably by the 10th of each month, and you’re guaranteed to never get duplicates.

Since old games can vary widely in value, it’s hard to tell the exact discount you’re getting compared to what the games would go for at a flea market. Still, for an average of $8-$12 per game, it’s a great bargain considering you don’t have to leave your house.

Best Gaming Gear and Apparel: Air Drop

Price: $36.50 per month
Subscription Plans: Monthly
Shipping: Calculated per shipment (ships on the 10th of each month)

Why We Chose It

Air Drop's crates are filled with gaming gear, accessories, and apparel with themes from several different franchises to suit many gamers.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Discounts on items for members
Option to purchase past crates

Cons

Shipping costs extra
Not customizable

Overview

Air Drop crates contain a mix of gaming-related accessories with practical uses. Most of the items come from franchises with wide appeal, such as Star Wars, Marvel, and The Witcher, so it’s a good fit for anyone who likes to be fashionable.

Boxes ship on the 10th of each month and are centered around a theme. For example, the “Power Crate” includes a Thanos pillowcase, a Venom stress ball, and a God of War button. The “Exoplanet Crate” features space-themed apparel like a Darth Vader apron and a Destiny 3D keychain.

The company is transparent about the retail value of each item, which gives you an idea of the savings you get. Memberships start at about $36.50 per month. The website has a store where you can buy individual accessories, and you can even purchase past crates.

Best for Collectors: Retro Game Treasure

Price: $36.99 per month
Subscription Plans: Monthly or every 3, 6, or 12 months
Shipping: Calculated per shipment (ships around the 20th of each month)

Why We Chose It

Retro Game Treasure features special merchandise and games that are great for collectors, designed for old-school consoles and gaming systems (which can also be purchased on the site).

Pros & Cons

Pros

100% authentic games
Retro systems can be purchased on the site
Discounts on longer subscriptions

Cons

Shipping costs extra

Overview

While similar to Video Games Monthly, Retro Game Treasure deserves a separate mention because it’s more targeted toward video game collectors. Boxes go out on around the 20th of each month and include three to five retro games for systems you already own, from consoles like the Atari 2600, Sega Genesis, and SNES to handheld systems like the Game Boy, Sony PSP, Nintendo DS, and Sega Game Gear.

If you don’t own any retro systems, you can buy them from the website, so it’s perfect for new collectors just starting to grow their library.

Many retro video games gain value over time, so if you ever want to sell your collection, Retro Game Treasure is a worthwhile investment. Monthly plans are $36.99, and pre-paid annual plans work out to be $31.99 per month. Games are tested, cleaned, and 100% authentic. You can tell them which systems and games you already own so that you don’t get duplicates, and you can even set preferences for the types of genres you like. The website has a “List of Shame” including notoriously bad games that they promise never to send out.

Final Verdict

Loot Gaming is our best overall pick for gaming subscription boxes thanks to its large variety of items that can suit many different gaming interests, including franchise-specific merchandise and licensed apparel. The affordable subscription starts at $29.99 per month and features at least $50 in value, making it a great deal for those interested in merch.

For game-focused subscriptions, Video Games Monthly and Retro Game Treasure are great options. Fans of old-school games will appreciate both of these services for classic games, while Video Games Monthly is a better choice to receive games for newer systems.

Compare the Best Gaming Subscription Boxes

Company	Price	Subscription Plans	Shipping
Loot Gaming Best Overall	$29.99 to $39.99 per month	Monthly; various merchandise options	Calculated per shipment (ships end of the month)
Mario’s Mystery Block Best Nintendo Subscription Box	$19.99 to $29.99 per month	Monthly; T-shirt box or mystery item box	Starts at $8.99 (ships in first two weeks of the month)
Video Games Monthly Best Retro Gaming Subscription Box	$34.99 to $79.99 per month	Monthly; 3 games, 4 games, 5 games, or 10 games	Calculated per shipment (ships before 10th of each month)
Air Drop Best Gaming Gear and Apparel	$36.50 per month	Monthly	Calculated per shipment (ships on the 10th of each month)
Retro Game Treasure Best for Collectors	$36.99 per month	Monthly or every 3, 6, or 12 months	Calculated per shipment (ships on around the 20th of each month)

FAQ

What's Included in a Gaming Subscription Box?

Gaming subscription boxes can include a variety of games, apparel, and novelty items. However, most boxes are focused on either the games or the merchandise—so it's important to choose the right option based on the items you want. Some game-focused boxes also offer extra add-ons for those interested in both.
Are Gaming Subscription Boxes Worth It?

Gaming subscription boxes are worth it for gaming enthusiasts interested in games or merchandise. These boxes typically include items at discounted prices or specialty items that are hard to find elsewhere. Everyone who subscribes usually gets the same set of items, although some services give customers control over the types of loot they receive.
What Kinds of Gaming Subscription Boxes Are There?

Gaming subscription boxes are geared toward specific types of gaming enthusiasts. Some options are focused on retro and classic games (suitable for old-school gaming systems and consoles), others offer games for newer consoles, and a few gaming subscriptions are great for those interested in apparel and merchandise.
Do Gaming Subscription Boxes Make a Great Gift?

Gaming subscription boxes make great gifts for the gamers in your life, but it's important to choose the right box for each individual. For example, Mario’s Mystery Block probably won’t appeal to the same gamers as the Loot Gaming crate. If you’re getting someone a subscription box as a gift, it helps to know what types of games they like. It’s also important to note that many gaming subscription crates don’t include actual games.

Methodology

To find the best gaming subscription boxes, we compared over 30 services by weighing the monthly fees against the quality and monetary value of what you get. We also looked at the degree of flexibility each service offers, featuring options like those with customizable items that ensure users don't receive games or merchandise they already own.

In addition, we strived to include a variety of boxes that have the widest possible appeal. We looked at positive and negative customer reviews to get a sense of which boxes are in the highest demand. There are more niche gaming loot crates out there that may be more suitable to specific tastes.