What’s In The Box?: Video Games Monthly (May 2026)

Author’s Note: What’s In The Box will be a monthly series that shares the contents of game box shipments from Video Games Monthly. Note that this isn’t a paid promotion or advertisement— it’s simply a running account of what I receive in these boxes.

After (re)starting an NES library in April, I decided to restart my membership with Video Games Monthly in order to supplement my collection and have something fun to look forward to in the mail every month.

For the uninitiated, Video Games Monthly boxes up and sends games at random to its subscribers at a set cost, based on how many games subscribers want to receive each month: 3, 4, 5, 10, or 20. Subscribers can share which games they currently own (or might not want to receive), though there’s a limit to how many games can be listed as owned/to avoid. It’s also common sense to point out that subscribers likely won’t be getting super-rare or crazy valuable games like Little Samson or Earthbound. (That would be a ridiculous expectation.)

Originally, I was a 10-game subscriber a few years back. I was actively collecting for at least 6 platforms and wanted to see what I would get. When I started running out of space, living in my old apartment, I had to stop.

Now that I’m in a house and have more space, I decided this time to go with the 5-game package for $45USD per month (plus shipping & handling), which is less than the cost of a new modern game. This package is the maximum number of games you can get without having to request games on at least four different platforms… and I only want to focus on two. When I restarted, I picked NES and Gamecube— starting in June, though, Genesis will replace Gamecube as my focus for now is on NES and Genesis.

So… let’s open the box:

One thing to know about Video Games Monthly right out of the gate is that the conpany is often (though understandably not always) generous— and will often throw in an extra game, called a 1-UP. My first box here had a 1-UP in it, which was exciting right away. Also, the team often adds extra stuff. This time, a Fruit Roll-Up was the gift. Pretty cool. Finally, if you’re like me and have nervous energy to burn, the bubble wrap is its own bonus.

With the 1-UP game, 6 games were inside: 3 for Gamecube and 3 for NES. It was an even split. The Gamecube games were all ones I didn’t own. Two are loose discs, which is fine. I’m especially interested in Army Men: Sarge’s War, as I have all of the original PlayStation games in the Army Men series. I’ve also heard good things about Shrek 2. American Chopper 2, though? Eh. Sometimes the luck of the draw isn’t always a winner.

On the NES side, Solstice is the winner. Not only did I not have the game yet, but I’ve heard positive things about it. Silent Service is, well, it’s a game I didn’t own until it came in the box. Sky Shark is a duplicate, but those are often good to have when it comes to NES games.

2-3 games per month for NES and Genesis is a nice gradual pace for filling in common games in my library. I’m already looking forward to what June will bring, especially once I update my lists on the VGM site. I think the value is worthwhile and the element of surprise every month will keep me excited for many months to come.