*Note: We originally reviewed GameFly in March 2019. Content in this article has been updated to stay up-to-date with current pricing, compatibility, and details.
The variety of video games you can choose from today is endless! With so many choices, avid gamers like me want to try them all to see which ones are great and not-so-great. Since I definitely didn’t want to buy a not-so-great game, I went searching for a video game rental service. That’s when I came across GameFly.
If you don’t know what GameFly is, it’s an online game rental service where you pay a monthly fee to get games sent to your home. Their main focus is making it convenient and affordable for gamers to try out different games on whatever console type they have. On GameFly, you can buy and rent video games and movies.
Continue reading on to read my GameFly review and hear my experience utilizing this service.
My Experience Using GameFly
After seeing what GameFly was all about, I decided to test it out. Thankfully, they have a 30-Day Free Trial for those who don’t want to commit to paying a monthly subscription right off the bat. Here is my experience utilizing GameFly and a general overview of how GameFly works.
– Browsing and Ordering A Game
To start, I have an Xbox One and a Nintendo Switch and enjoy trying out the latest new releases. When on GameFly, I was amazed to see newer games like Battlefield V, Red Dead Redemption II, Monster Hunter: World, and Kingdom Hearts III. These games were all listed and available to rent for Xbox One console (these were new games at the time of writing this review). New 2021 games currently listed on Gamefly include Madden NFL 22, Call of Duty: Black Ops – Cold War, and Resident Evil Village. The platform also offers older games as well.
With the hype around Kingdom Hearts III, I decided to order that one for Xbox One first. However, it was sadly unavailable due to it being a new release and highly popular. Instead, I ordered Red Dead Redemption II and it was a success! Granted, it is a little older than Kingdom Hearts III, with being released on 10/26/2018.
When looking at the game’s profile on GameFly, I did appreciate they included user and critic reviews. This information helps gamers like me know more about a specific game, especially if it’s one you’re unfamiliar with.
– Delivery
From the website and other user testimonials, it says a game typically arrives within 2-5 business days. I made my purchase on a Monday and it arrived on Thursday. Along with the quick shipping, there were no shipping fees as well!
– Playing The Game
The Red Dead Redemption II for Xbox One I got was in mint condition. No scratches, dents, or game malfunctions. Since I was utilizing the GameFly Free Trial, I could only have one rental at a time. So, I decided to keep Red Dead Redemption II for the whole month. I was able to enjoy playing this game without having to worry about returning it immediately.
– Returning The Game
GameFly makes it simple to return rentals. They provide a return envelope, so there’s no hassle trying to figure it out on your own. However, you do need to send it back before your membership expires or they will charge the retail price of the game.
GameFly for Movies
One aspect of GameFly I did not test out but is available is being able to rent movies. If you opt for any of the Games + Movies plan options for Gamefly, you will have access to their wide array of movie selections.
Gamefly offers movies in the following formats:
- 4K UHD
- Blu-ray
- DVD
They cover various genres to appeal to those of all ages including Animation, Action-Adventure, Family, Comedy, and more. Gamefly offers both old and new releases, for example, Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard (8/2021), Luca (8/2021), and In The Heights (8/2021). Basically, they are offering movie disc renting similar to what Netflix was originally known for.
The Final Judgement: Is GameFly Worth It?
So, is GameFly worth it? Absolutely! For someone like me who’s an avid gamer and enjoys playing the latest games, this is an excellent rental service to use. They have thousands of games available for rent or purchase for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo 3DS, Wii, and more consoles. Even though I did have the roadblock of Kingdom Hearts III being unavailable, it’s okay since there were many other video games available.
Even after utilizing the free trial, their monthly subscriptions are very affordable:
- After the Free Trial month, have the option to join for 3 months at a rate of $15.95 per month.
- Standard Plans
- 1 Rental At A Time: $9.50 per month for 3 months.
- 2 Rentals At A Time: $13.50 per month for 3 months.
- Elite Plan:
- 2 Rentals at a time for $18 per month for 3 months
- Includes Early Access Sales
- Budget Plan:
- 1 Rental At A Time for $5 per month for 3 months.
- Included Unlimited Game & Movie Rentals.
Overall, if you’re looking to rent video games at your leisure, I would highly recommend utilizing GameFly.
Frequently Asked Questions About GameFly
Is GameFly a good deal?
It depends on what you intend to use GameFly or. If you are looking to save money on newer game releases or play older games, GameFly is worth trying out. They do have a free trial if you are not set on your decision.
How long does it take GameFly to ship?
According to GameFly, it takes 2-5 business days to receive your order in the United States. However, expect delays due to holidays.
What happens if you lose a GameFly game?
If you lose a Gamefly game once, they don’t make a big deal about it and will send you another one. However, if it becomes a trend, they may discontinue your account.
Can you keep GameFly games account?
Certain GameFly game and movie rentals have the option to keep them. On a user’s queue, any rented titles with a “Keep” button next to them are available to fully purchase.
