This Star Wars-Themed Cereal From The '80s Is A Total Nostalgia Bomb

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, one franchise ruled them all. Star Wars, the sci-fi epic created by filmmaker George Lucas, is one of the most successful series in film and television history. It debuted in 1977 and concluded its original film trilogy in 1983. But Star Wars was far from limited to the silver screen; as so many franchises did in the '80s, the film phenom got its own breakfast cereal in the form of C-3PO's.

C-3PO's were an oat, wheat, and corn-based cereal sweetened with honey and shaped into double loops to create a figure eight. Its flavor was similar to other cereals like Alpha-Bits and Honey Nut Cheerios, according to nostalgic Redditors, though one commenter recalled that it had an "airy sweet note that I've never encountered in any other foodstuff on this earth." Others have more mixed feelings, with some comparing the cereal to cardboard.

If you fondly remember the days when you'd find a toy in your cereal box, you likely would have been a fan of C-3PO's. In addition to the contents, each box contained fun prizes, typically trading cards, toy rockets, and coupons kids could send away to receive Star Wars action figures. The back of the box could also be cut out to create a mask of one of several different iconic Star Wars characters, from the eponymous C-3PO to Chewbacca.

C-3PO's released in 1984, one year following the release of "Return of the Jedi." The cereal was released alongside TV commercials showing the characters C-3PO and R2-D2 having adventures in space, along with kids in trendy '80s kitchens enjoying their cereal and its different prizes.

Unfortunately for Star Wars fans, C-3PO's were discontinued in 1986, quickly joining the ranks of discontinued '80s cereals that can't be found on shelves today. Why it failed after just two years is hard to say. Possibilities include its lack of excessive sugar, making it unappealing to kids who were looking for a sugar rush (perhaps C-3PO could have taken some tips from the mildly terrifying Koogle Nut and its sweetened peanut butter-esque product). It could also be due to an overreliance on Star Wars hype, since at the time, many assumed the series was all over.

Nowadays, this vintage food is understandably hard to find. If you want to try C-3PO's for yourself, you'll have to dredge the internet for boxes that survived the decades. Even if you manage to find a listing on sites like eBay, look carefully to ensure you're getting a full box and not just an empty one for collectible purposes. And, of course, take care when eating. Unopened cereal typically only lasts one year past the expiration date, and your C-3PO's will be about 40 years past due.