Online Video Game Rental - GameFly

GameFly - Online Video Game Rental

In the world of online video game rentals, a few services stand out above the rest. Among these, GameFly seems to be the best-known online game rental company. Their selection is huge, covering the Xbox, PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS, Xbox 360, GameCube, Game Boy Advance and PlayStation Portable (PSP). You'll find over 2,500 video games at your disposal on GameFly's website. But what is the service really like? Will it take weeks to get your games? Is the price worth the hassle? We took the plunge and tried GameFly's service. Find the full scoop on GameFly's online video game rental here at LoveToKnow.

Online Video Game Rental - GameFly

GameFly operates on a simple plan: unlimited video game rentals from a large selection of video games. Monthly subscription fees cover all shipping costs and you can rent as many games as you like. However, depending on your subscription plan, you have a limit of number of games you can have at once (games in the process of shipping are considered "out").

The service works something like this:

  1. Sign up with GameFly.
  2. Choose your game(s) and place them in your queue.
  3. GameFly ships the video games to your address almost immediately. Depending on the plan you are signed up for, up to four video games can be out at once.
  4. Receive the video game and play to your heart's content. No late fees, return the game only when you are ready.
  5. When you want to rent another video game, slide the game in the envelope and drop it in the mail. If your post office participates in the "Fast Return" system, then the next item in your queue is automatically shipped to you once your return has been scanned by the post office. If your post office does not participate in the "Fast Return" system, then the next item in your queue is automatically shipped to you when GameFly receives the returned game.
  6. Repeat until the end of time.

Online Video Game Rental Plans

GameFly offers three different online video game rental plans. The prices are staggered and the only change is number of games you can have at once. These fees are monthly and offer unlimited rentals and free shipping.

  • $14.95 - One game at a time.
  • $21.95 - Two games at once. This is the most popular online video game rental plan.
  • $28.95 - Three games at once. This plan is only available to users in good standing with GameFly for at least two months.
  • $35.95 - Four games out at once; available only to long-term GameFly subscribers in good standing for approximately 30 months.

GameFly - The Results

GameFly's service is certainly one to be reckoned with. Their selection of games is enormous and covers all current video game systems. Even the handheld consoles are here, something few other online video game rental stores can boast about. GameFly has also added UMD movies for the PSP to their lineup, another rarity in the online video game rental world.But renting video games from GameFly does have one drawback: shipping times. At the time of this writing (early 2006), GameFly has only one video game warehouse in the United States in southern California. Wait times have recently improved, however, because of the "Fast Return" system, in which the next game in your queue is shipped out as soon as the postal service has scanned your return into their system. Without the "Fast Return" system, video gamers in the rest of North America may have long waiting times for shipping their games across the country. This can significantly cut into the number of games you can rent each month, making GameFly a more expensive alternative to brick and mortar video game rental stores. If you're near California, the turnaround time for shipping is only about two days. Elsewhere, if your nearest post office does not use the "Fast Return" system, it can be as many as seven.

Luckily, GameFly gives users a 10 day trial period free of charge. You will need a credit card to sign up for this trial, but you won't be charged unless you decide to continue the service. Use this time to gauge GameFly's shipping speeds and determine if the service is worth your time and money. If shipping is fast, or if your local post office uses the "Fast Return" system, GameFly is a great deal for your gaming desires. Otherwise, stick with the local store.

Bottom line: An all-around great service if the "Fast Return" system is available, or if you live close enough to California to get fast shipping results.

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