How to Rent Video Games Online

How to Rent Video Games Online

Renting games online is a very simple process. After reading this article, you’ll find out how easy and cost effective these services really are!

Let’s start off with how much you should expect to pay. Most video game rental services charge a flat monthly fee starting from under $10 a month up to $30 a month.

This monthly fee is the only thing you should be paying. Stay clear of services that add any additional charges. Almost all companies will allow you to select from a list of plans they offer. Typically, the only difference in plans is how many games you are allowed to have out at one time. They range anywhere from 1 game out at a time to 5 games out at time. Which plan you select is entirely up to you. If you are someone that likes to play a couple games at a time, I would recommend a plan that allows you to keep 2 to 3 games at once. Only sign up for what you think you’ll be able to use. Don’t just sign up for the 5 out plan because it sounds good! You can always change your plan later on to get more games. Take a look at our game rental club review section to select the best company for you.

After you get signed up with a service, the first thing you’ll need to do is add games to your “queue”. Browse or search through their game selection to add all the ones you’d like to play. You will be able to order your queue to choose which games you want delivered first. Once you have selected the games you’d like, they will send them directly to you. Expect anywhere from 1-3 days to receive your first game(s). Once you get them, you can keep them as long as you like! Some services even allow you to buy the game at a discounted price while you have it out!

As soon as you are done with a game, all you have to do is put it back into the prepaid mailer (all services should provide free shipping) and drop it in the mailbox. It’s as simple as that. Once they receive that game, they will send you the next one in your queue. If your top choice is not available or is in really high demand, they will move down to the next available choice. As long as you keep your queue updated, you will never have to wait long between games.

Once you sign up for one of these services, you will never go back to renting or buying games in a store. It is so much cheaper and convenient to sign up for one of these services. The only costs involved are the monthly fee! So what are you waiting for? Check out our game club review page, select the service that will best work for you and start renting games today!

GameFly, Blockbuster won't carry Manhunt 2 with AO rating 

Joystiq spoke with game rental service GameFly and we were informed Manhunt 2, now with an AO rating, will not be carried by the company. A GameFly spokesperson said, "GameFly as a general policy does not carry AO rated titles." When asked if they have ever made an exception to the "general policy," the representive said, "Not that I know of, there's been no exceptions." GameFly also points out that you must be 18 to subscribe to their service which absolves them of any sticky issues regarding M rated titles, and that it is the credit card holder's responsibility to monitor the games rented on the service.

This is the first time GameFly has been put into this position as no other title from a major publisher has ever received an AO rating right out of the gate (GTA: San Andreas ver. 1.0 received its AO rating later, GameFly also swapped all their versions for the new M rated one). Manhunt 2 is still available to queue up for rental July 11, but that may or may not change once Rockstar officially states what they plan to do. We also contacted Blockbuster corporate and they informed us, "Blockbuster does not carry adult or NC-17 movies, or AO rated games." So, it looks like not only will Manhunt 2 have trouble at retail, but the rental outlets aren't going to carry it either.

by Alexander Sliwinski