Video Game Rental

Whether you're too cheap to buy video games or just want to try before you buy, renting video games is a great way to go. Video game rental has become much easier over the years with the widespread availability of many games in large rental chains such as Blockbuster. The selection in brick-and-mortar stores is limited to popular titles, but you can usually find something to tide you over for a weekend.

With online rental businesses such as GameFly popping up around the world, renting video games just got a lot more convenient. A huge selection of video games are available right on your web browser. Search, choose, and for a small monthly fee you can have an unlimited number of video games (usually with a limit of number of games out at once) shipped right to your home at no extra cost. Done with the game? Toss it in the envelope and send it right back. The convenience and selection of these online rental chains can't be beat.

Why Rent Video Games?

There are many reasons why you would want to rent a video game. Visiting some friends and need a good multiplayer title? Hop down to the video store and rent Mario Kart: Double Dash! and give it a whirl. Many gamers rent the games they're thinking about buying in order to sample the goods before plopping the cash. If you're not sure a game is worth the price tag, renting it is a low-cost way of trying before you buy.

Other reasons to rent include variety. You can rent 15 or 20 video games for the same price of buying one new game. That's a lot more gaming for your buck, even if you can only keep the titles for a few days.

Online Rental vs. Traditional

If you're trying to make the decision whether to sign up for a monthly online rental service such as GameFly or just pop down to your local rental store, consider the following points:

Online stores...

• Have a huge selection of games.
• Bring the games to your door.
• Can be slow to deliver the games (shipping times vary).
• Sudden cravings for a certain game can't be immediately appeased.
• Unlimited rentals for a flat fee, though you have to rent the maximum number to get a good value.

Brick and mortar stores...

• Are generally cheaper than online rentals.
• Have a smaller selection but usually have the biggest hits.
• Are nearby and can satiate sudden weekend impulses for a video game.

How Much Does Renting Video Games Cost?

For online rentals expect to pay between $13 and $22 dollars in the United States each month. Generally you can have two or three games in your possession at a time. Shipping times can vary depending on your mail service and location from the online store's warehouse, so do some research before you commit. Generally the online services have a two to four week free trial period.

Traditional rental stores can vary in price but are only a few dollars per game rented. You can rent whatever games you want whenever you like, but often you must return the title within a few days or suffer late-fees. Many video game rental stores have a number of specials that award you with free rentals.

Video Game Rentals at LoveToKnow

Our video game rental category here at LoveToKnow Video Games provides you with the resources you need to decide which games to rent and choose a method for getting your games. If you're going the rental route, we've got everything you would love to know.