I first became aware of Reboxy a few weeks ago when I received an email from Ziggurat Interactive – another company that celebrates the legacy of older games- as they were promoting their collaboration with a PC big box release of Terminal Velocity. This really intrigued me, as Ziggurat have brought some really intriguing releases back from the brink (including a personal fave of mine – Boiling Point), and I was soon making my way through the Reboxy website which led to GF being in the position of being able to cover two Reboxy editions – Litil Divil (1993), and Realms of the Haunting (1996).
The presentation is absolutely top notch, these specific titles are officially licensed from Funbox Media, another company that we’ve previously covered here at GF and I especially love the attention to detail, such as the logos on each box regarding Gremlin Graphics / Interactive reflecting the logos used at the time of original release, and the colouring of Reboxy’s logo on each release matching the main font / colour of the game in question, for example – Litil Divil’s box font is red, whilst Realms of the Haunting is gold, and the Reboxy logo on the side is colour-matched accordingly. It’s a small touch but shows the level of detail that goes into these Reboxy editions. Also of note is that all editions are DRM free!
Reboxy releases tend to come in two available versions, at present:
Display Edition
A more affordable version that includes the Big Box / Poster / Redeem codes [GOG / Steam]. A perfect choice for anyone who wants to hold a physical edition again and display it in their collection.
Classic Edition:
A complete version with expanded contents. In addition to the Big Box, poster and digital codes, it also includes a pressed CD/DVD / printed manual / CD/DVD case and other extras that vary depending on the game. Ideal for collectors who want to own the full game in physical form once again.
We are covering the classic editions here, and the boxes are of a very high standard in terms of the materials and artwork used. They really do feel like the classic big box PC games of old, and the gloss boxes look and feel great along with the vibrant artwork.
A brilliant little extra that sets up the tone of the game as well as being a time capsule of the humour at the time, which still works today! Also included are two download codes for digital versions of the game, one for Steam, and the other for GOG which – in keeping with the rest of the contents - isn’t just included on a small slip of paper, but is again on a glossy card with the cover artwork as a side-drop, absolutely in keeping with the rest of the product.
Next is the instruction booklet, which again has a glossy, full-colour cover and isn’t just a simple control guide, it goes the whole hog in featuring a comic-book style pen and ink introduction to the game and a series of pages breaking down what you will come across whilst playing. Finally, there’s the physical CD itself, included in a jewel case. There is also some padding to fill out the bottom of the box, which was neat touch as it keeps things locked in place, so the contents don’t rattle around. I much prefer this to the old school cardboard indentations as they get bent and warped, losing their shape over time and occasionally led to light damage of the contents, this is a much more practical and secure way to keep the contents safe.
I have many great memories of playing Litil Divil on the Philips CD-i at a friends’ house with his mum jumping in to help us out on the tougher puzzles, and seeing this physical version is an incredibly nostalgic trip down memory lane that I now get to enjoy with my son…although I may have to hand the controller over to his mum for the harder puzzles…
Whilst I’m very familiar with Mutt and his pizza-centric quest, I have never actually played Realms of the Haunting before, but it’s certainly been on the periphery for me for several years as I know it’s held in high regard, and any first-person title from this era that blends action with adventure was very much up my Strasse, so it’s an absolute pleasure to finally get the opportunity to dive in. The artwork called to mind movies such as Nightbreed, with its very cool and ominous horror cover that features a talisman and a lot of reds / blacks across some twisted characters that hint at the dark, mystery-fuelled plot. Thinking about it, these two games make a great double-team, with Litil Divil acting as the comedic sunshine in hell as Realms of the Haunting dives into murkier waters and more adult-centric gameplay.
As Realms of the Haunting was released in 1996, this is reflected in the packaging, as the first thing encountered in the box is a DVD-style case that holds the CD-ROM and manual. Again, the manual here is full-colour and 15 pages long, covering everything that you need to know about the world of the game, and setting the scene for what you are about to experience. The Steam / GOG download card is also here, featuring the cover artwork, as is the glossy A3 poster that really is eye-catching and would look great framed if you have a horror-centric gaming room.
SUMMARY
Reboxy are clearly passionate about their releases, and this is reflected in the quality of the materials used. All of their current products can be found here, where they – as of the time of writing – hold 100% positive feedback. If you are a fan of PC games and relish the thought of a physical copy, it’s a big thumbs up from us here at GF, Reboxy are very much highly recommended!
🔗Website Link🔗
From the website:
"We believe every game has a soul. And every soul deserves a body.
Reboxy creates physical editions of digital and forgotten classics, complete with boxes, prints, and real-world presence.
Because great games deserve to live on your shelf — not just in the cloud or your memories."
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