Video Game Rental: Rental Plan Comparison

Renting video games has gotten ridiculously easy over the past few years. Gone are the days when you would drop in your local rental store, browse through their tiny selection of games, and then try to get all of your playing time in within the next two days to avoid any late fees.

But times have changed since then, and now there are main options for video game rental: an in store rental option; and a mail order rental option. The best plan for you depends on your renting habits, which includes not just video game rentals, but also movie rentals.

video game rental

Choose the most important service feature.

Being able to rent both video games and DVD's through the same membership is most important to me

Overall plan price is the most important factor to me

Having the ability to rent video games from a physical store is the most important factor to me

Having the widest selection of games is most important to me

Overall plan flexibility and rental periods are most important to me

Select an option above and then click this button

Gamefly and Blockbuster are the Best Options

Blockbuster is not strictly a video game rentals service, but more of all-purpose service. With their Total Access plan, you can rent unlimited DVD's online and in person, and you can also rent video games for a reduced price through their retail locations. In addition, some stores offer a GamePass option that will expand your game rental options. A weakness of video game rental from Blockbuster is the comparatively strict return policies for games, meaning you cannot rent them for an unlimited duration.

Gamefly is a strictly online video game rental service, and it's a good one. There are many plan options starting at just $8.95, they have a huge selection of over 6,000 video games, and they offer unlimited rental periods. But being a game rental service only, you won't have the option to rent DVD's, nor will you be able to walk into a physical location for your video game rentals.

Strengths of Each Service

Here are several defining characteristics of these plans:

Gamefly Blockbuster
Free trial or $8.95 to start Free trial available
Two plan options: 1 or 2 games at a time for a flat monthly free Many plan options, but games are limited to in store discounts only
More than 6,000 titles Selection limited to in-store availability
Games available by mail only Games available in store only
Unlimited rental periods Defined rental periods

Getting Started is Easy

Renting video games through each service is very easy, but you'll likely choose Gamefly if you are interested in a flexible gaming plan; or Blockbuster if you want a multi-purpose movie / gaming plan, albeit with a more limited selection.

Either service can have you up and running in (literally) under 5 minutes, and both are reputable and secure for video game rental.

Blockbuster Total Access - 2 Weeks Free Trial

Note: Blockbuster offers discounted video game rentals via in store exchanges only, which are a component of the Total Access package. An in store GamePass membership is also available.