In 2025, ChooseCo released a box set of the first four titles from the original Choose Your Own Adventure series that began in 1979.
Here they are next to the originals from my collection.
The titles on the new ones pop with color when seen from the right angle.
Here’s some more comparison shots.
The box set comes with a two-sided poster.
Bantam published the original Choose Your Own Adventure series from 1979 to 1999.
R. A. Montgomery and Shannon Gilligan picked up the trademark and launched ChooseCo in 2006. They re-released some of the original titles with new art and updated text, and also put out all-new CYOA stories.
In 2025, for the first time, ChooseCo began releasing some of the classic titles with the original cover and interior art, calling them Retro Editions. Such a great move!
Also, for the first time, ChooseCo is reprinting ones written by fan-favorite Edward Packard who created the CYOA concept and authored many of the originals.
I had thought the Retro Editions would have identical text to the originals and from what I’ve seen so far, this is the case except for page 53 in THE CAVE OF TIME. In the original you are referred to as a 20th century human, and in the Retro Edition you’re from the 21st century. There might be other changes – I’ll keep an eye out. I think they should have kept the text 100% the same. They are called Retro Editions, after all. This minor complaint aside, I’m super excited for these!
For more information, check out Sally Lodge’s March 13, 2025 article in Publishers Weekly, “ChooseCo to Reprint ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ Launch Title.”
Also, take a look at ChooseCo.com to see all their available titles.