With the rising of streaming and disappearance of rental stores, video game rentals are definitely not every bit popular equally they once were. But in that location are notwithstanding a few ways to rent games, which can help you salvage coin while enjoying the latest titles.

Let'due south take a look at the options you have for renting video games, as well every bit similar services that update the renting process a bit.

1. GameFly

GameFly is a longtime video game rental service that's one of the few left of its kind. Information technology's a disc-rental service similar to Netflix'due south DVD plan: you pick what games you lot want from GameFly'south library, have them shipped to you, and send them back when you're done.

In addition to the latest titles on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series S|X, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch, GameFly offers titles from older consoles. You lot can rent Wii, Nintendo DS, PSP, GameCube, and even Game Boy Advance games from the service. Of grade, the choice is a bit limited for legacy systems, but it's a dainty way to replay an old favorite.

GameFly'due south Pricing Plans

GameFly has a few different pricing plans to fit your needs. If you opt for i Disc at a fourth dimension, at that place are two tiers:

  • Budget is the cheapest plan for getting one disc at a time. The biggest drawback is this plan does non allow yous to hire new games until up to 120 days afterwards their release. Information technology costs $8.95/calendar month, after promotional pricing of $5/month for the commencement three months.
  • Standard upgrades your account with some perks. These include access to new releases correct away, the GameLock feature that lets yous reserve upcoming titles alee of time, and reward coupons every and then often. This plan is $15.95 per month, later on the introductory offer of $ix.50/calendar month for three months.
GF Rental Pricing 2020

If you lot want to have two discs out at a time, choose from the following plans with two Discs:

  • Standard has the same perks as the 1 Disc Standard plan; the simply deviation is being able to have the 2d disc out. Since yous need to take a free slot to rent a game when it launches with GameLock, the extra slot may come up in handy if you often rent new games. This plan is $22.95/month, after intro pricing of $xiii.fifty/calendar month for iii months.
  • Aristocracy is the top-tier programme. The biggest difference compared to other plans is that you can GameLock an upcoming title one week before the game releases. With other plans, you need to lock in your reservation six weeks before the game releases. Otherwise, Aristocracy gives you lot early access to GameFly sales. It costs $29.95 per month, after special pricing of $eighteen/month for the first three months.

GameFly can become expensive if you opt for the top-tier plans. But if you go for a cheaper option, information technology tin serve as an inexpensive way to catch upwardly on titles you missed without ownership them outright.

Just keep in heed that with both the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition and Xbox Series S lacking a disc drive, GameFly isn't an option if you have an all-digital panel.

2. Borrow From Friends

While not an official service, setting up a rental scheme with friends can be a smashing manner to save coin on the latest games. If you and a friend bask playing similar genres, y'all can let each other borrow games one time you lot've finished them.

Whether y'all purchase brand-new games and merchandise them afterward you finish, or just let your friend choice from your library, it cuts down on the toll compared to buying every game on your own. Just make sure yous do this with a trustworthy friend who won't damage your games.

If you accept a big digital collection that y'all want to share with a friend, gamesharing is an option. See our guide to gamesharing on Xbox One or how to gameshare on PS4 for aid.

three. Subscribe to a Game Subscription Service

While they aren't true rentals, video game subscription services act equally a kind of successor to game rentals.

Services like Xbox Game Pass give you lot admission to hundreds of titles for a set monthly fee. As long as you stay subscribed, y'all can download and play anything in the catalog as much as you like.

If yous have a fast net connection and plenty storage space for your games, this is more price-effective then GameFly. Plus, it's more efficient since yous don't have to wait for shipping. Xbox-published titles appear on Game Pass the twenty-four hour period they release, and you lot have admission to the games for every bit long as you subscribe (instead of having to return them when you lot're washed with GameFly).

The equivalent PlayStation service is PlayStation Now, which is more focused on streaming PS4, PS3, and PS2 games instead of providing access to the latest titles. While it's a decent service, Xbox Game Pass is superior in most aspects.

Are In that location Other Video Game Rental Options?

Unfortunately, your choices for video game rentals aren't as vast as they once were. This makes it difficult to effort a game for a few dollars without subscribing to a full service.

One option in the by was Redbox, a service that offers moving picture rentals outside grocery stores, pharmacies, and like. While Redbox used to offer video game rentals, at the end of 2019 the company switched to TV and movie rentals only.

Gamerang was another video game rental service that no longer exists.

iFlipd is a website that offers video game rentals for as low as $2/calendar week, only its pick is scant---there are only 3-iv games each for Xbox One, PS4, and Switch. Your mileage may vary, as in that location doesn't seem to exist much info near this service available.

iFlipd Game Rentals

Finally, Family Video's website has a page offering "new video game rentals." However, clicking whatever of these brings you to a purchase page. If you have a Family unit Video store nearby, it might exist worth checking to see if they offer game rentals.

Video Game Rentals: Slim, but Available

It'south not a surprise that well-nigh companies have stopped offer video game rentals. With the decline of physical media and digital games being so convenient, rentals feel outdated in some ways. But if you all the same want admission to a choice of games without buying them outright, you have options.

If none of these work for y'all, in that location are other ways to save coin on gaming that don't involve renting.

The Superlative 10 Game Discount Sites to Buy Video Games for Cheap

If you're on a budget, apply these game discount sites to get video games at a fraction of their usual cost!

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About The Author

Ben Stegner (1800 Articles Published)

Ben is the Editor in Principal at MakeUseOf. He left his IT job to write full-fourth dimension in 2016 and has never looked back. He's been covering tech tutorials, video game recommendations, and more as a professional person writer for over 8 years.

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