If you enjoy playing video games but don’t want to buy every new title at full price, GameFly can be an interesting option to consider. GameFly is an online video game rental service that allows members to rent games for supported consoles and keep them for as long as they want under the terms of their membership.
Instead of purchasing every game you want to try, you can choose games from GameFly’s catalog, add them to your rental queue, and receive physical copies by mail. GameFly also allows customers to purchase many rental games at a discounted price if they decide they want to keep them.
GameFly currently offers games for platforms such as PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch, along with movies and other gaming-related products.
In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about GameFly, including how it works, available games, membership plans, GameLock, buying rented games, advantages and disadvantages, and whether GameFly is worth considering.
What Is GameFly?
GameFly is an online entertainment rental service best known for video game rentals.
The basic idea is simple: instead of buying a game immediately, you rent it through GameFly. The physical game is shipped to you, allowing you to play it at home. When you’re finished, you return it and can choose another title from your rental queue.
GameFly’s service is particularly useful for gamers who like trying different games without purchasing every title permanently.
GameFly also operates an online store where customers can purchase games, consoles, controllers, accessories, collectibles, and other gaming products.
How Does GameFly Work?
Using GameFly is relatively straightforward.
1. Create a GameFly Account
The first step is to create an account on the GameFly website.
You’ll need to provide the information required for membership and billing. GameFly’s privacy policy states that account registration can involve information such as your name, email address, mailing address, telephone number, and billing information.
2. Choose Your Games
After joining, you can browse GameFly’s game catalog.
You can search for games by platform, release status, genre, or other categories and then add the titles you want to your rental queue.
GameFly currently lists games for major platforms, including PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.
3. Add Games to Your Queue
Your rental queue is essentially your list of games you want to receive.
You can add multiple games and prioritize them. When a game becomes available, GameFly processes the rental according to your membership and queue availability.
This is useful if a particular game is temporarily unavailable because you can place it in your queue rather than constantly checking the website.
4. Receive the Game
GameFly ships physical copies of your selected games to your address.
You can then install or insert the game into your compatible console and start playing.
Unlike digital game subscriptions, GameFly’s traditional rental model is based on physical copies.
5. Return the Game
When you’re finished playing, you return the game to GameFly.
You can then select another title from your queue.
This makes the service particularly attractive to people who like completing games and moving on to something new instead of building a large collection of games they may only play once.
What Games Can You Rent From GameFly?
GameFly has a large selection of games across multiple gaming platforms.
Depending on availability, gamers can find:
- PlayStation games
- Xbox games
- Nintendo Switch games
- New releases
- Older games
- Popular franchises
- Action games
- Adventure games
- Sports games
- Racing games
- RPGs
- Family-friendly games
- Multiplayer games
GameFly also has dedicated sections for new releases and games available under different rental plans.
The exact selection changes over time, so it’s a good idea to search GameFly directly for the specific game and console you are interested in.
Can You Rent New Video Games?
Yes. GameFly provides access to new releases, although availability can depend on demand and the number of copies available.
This is one reason the rental queue is important.
If a highly anticipated game is popular, many members may want the same title at the same time. Adding a game to your queue early can help you get it when it becomes available.
GameFly also offers GameLock, a feature designed to help members reserve upcoming titles. According to GameFly, GameLock allows members to reserve an upcoming title by placing it in their queue.
What Is GameLock?
GameLock is one of GameFly’s useful features for gamers who want to play a new release as soon as possible.
Instead of waiting until a game is released and then searching for an available copy, you can use GameLock to reserve an upcoming title.
This can be particularly useful for major releases that are expected to be popular.
For example, if a highly anticipated game is scheduled to launch next month, you may be able to add it through GameLock ahead of its release.
Can You Buy a Game From GameFly?
Yes.
One of GameFly’s convenient features is the ability to purchase a game you’re currently renting.
If you rent a game and decide that you want to keep it, GameFly allows you to use the KEEP option for eligible rentals.
GameFly says customers can purchase rental games at a discounted price, and the purchase includes the original case and applicable codes with free shipping.
This creates a useful combination:
Rent → Play → Decide → Keep or Return
You don’t have to make the purchase decision before you’ve had a chance to try the game.
GameFly Plans
GameFly offers different membership options designed around how many games a member wants to have rented at the same time.
The available plans and prices can change, so you should check GameFly’s current membership page before subscribing.
In general, choosing a plan depends on how frequently you play games.
A Lower-Cost Plan
A lower-cost option may make sense for someone who plays casually and doesn’t need several games at once.
It’s a good choice if you typically finish one game before moving to another.
A Higher-Tier Plan
A higher-tier plan can be more useful for serious gamers who want to have more than one rental available.
If you regularly play multiple games or have several people in your household using the service, having additional rental availability can make a membership more useful.
Which Plan Should You Choose?
Consider these questions:
- How many games do you normally play each month?
- Do you finish games quickly?
- Do you mainly play new releases?
- Do you want to purchase games you enjoy?
- How important is receiving multiple games at once?
If you only play occasionally, a lower-cost option may be enough.
If you’re constantly playing different games, a higher-tier membership could provide more value.
GameFly vs. Buying Games
One of the biggest reasons people consider GameFly is the potential to save money.
Imagine you want to play five different games.
Buying all five games individually can become expensive, especially if they are new releases.
With a rental service, you can potentially rent each game, play it, return it, and move to the next title.
Buying Games
Advantages:
- You own the game
- No need to return it
- You can build a permanent collection
- You can potentially resell physical copies
Disadvantages:
- Higher upfront cost
- You may spend money on games you don’t enjoy
- New releases can be expensive
Renting With GameFly
Advantages:
- Try games before buying
- Access to a large selection
- Useful for gamers who finish games quickly
- You can purchase games you decide to keep
- Can reduce the need to purchase every game
Disadvantages:
- You don’t permanently own the rental
- Physical shipping takes time
- Popular games may have limited availability
- You need an active membership
GameFly vs. Digital Game Subscriptions
GameFly is different from services that provide instant digital access to games.
With a digital subscription, you generally download or stream games through an internet-connected service.
GameFly’s traditional Games by Mail model is based on physical game copies.
That difference can be important.
If you have a fast internet connection and prefer downloading games, a digital subscription may be more convenient.
If you prefer physical copies or want to rent games without purchasing them permanently, GameFly may be more appealing.
Benefits of GameFly
1. Try Games Before Buying
One of the biggest advantages is the ability to play a game before deciding whether you want to purchase it.
This can be especially useful when you’re unsure whether a game is worth the full retail price.
2. Large Game Selection
GameFly provides access to games across several major platforms and continues to add new titles to its catalog.
3. Useful for New Releases
Gamers who want to play new releases without necessarily buying every game may find the rental model attractive.
4. Option to Keep Games
If you fall in love with a rental, you may be able to purchase it through the KEEP option at a discounted price.
5. Physical Games
For people who prefer physical media, GameFly offers an alternative to buying physical games individually.
6. GameLock
GameLock can be helpful when you want to reserve an upcoming game rather than waiting until release day to look for an available copy.
Disadvantages of GameFly
GameFly isn’t perfect for everyone.
Shipping Takes Time
Unlike a digital download, a physical rental needs to be shipped.
If you’re used to downloading a game instantly, waiting for delivery may feel inconvenient.
Availability Can Change
Popular games can have high demand.
A game you want may not always be immediately available.
Not Ideal for Everyone
If you usually purchase only one or two games per year and play them for months, a rental subscription may not provide much value.
You Need to Return Games
Once you’re finished with a rental, you need to send it back if you want to continue using the rental cycle.
Is GameFly Worth It?
Whether GameFly is worth it depends on your gaming habits.
GameFly may be worth considering if you:
- Play several games every month
- Like trying new games
- Don’t want to buy every game
- Prefer physical games
- Frequently play new releases
- Finish games relatively quickly
- Want the option to buy games after trying them
GameFly may not be worth it if you:
- Only play a few games each year
- Prefer digital downloads
- Mainly play free-to-play games
- Keep games for months at a time
- Don’t want to wait for physical shipping
The best way to decide is to compare the current membership cost with how many games you realistically expect to play.
Is GameFly Safe and Legit?
GameFly is an established video game rental and retail service rather than an unknown game-download website.
Its official website provides rental, purchasing, account, and customer-support services.
GameFly also publishes information about how it handles account and payment information. Its privacy policy states that it uses TLS encryption to protect personal information transmitted through its services.
However, as with any online service, users should create strong passwords and protect their account information.
Who Should Use GameFly?
GameFly is best suited to active gamers who want flexibility.
For example, imagine you’re interested in five games but don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars purchasing all of them.
Instead, you could rent one, play it, return it, and move to the next.
If you discover that one of those games is something you want permanently, you can check whether the KEEP option is available.
This makes GameFly particularly interesting for gamers who enjoy experimenting with different titles.
Final Verdict: Is GameFly a Good Option?
GameFly remains an interesting alternative to buying every video game individually.
Its main advantage is flexibility: you can rent games, play them, return them, and potentially buy the ones you love.
The service is particularly attractive to gamers who play multiple titles and prefer physical games.
However, gamers who prefer instant digital downloads or only play a small number of games may find other options more convenient.
Before subscribing, check GameFly’s current plans, supported platforms, game availability, and shipping details to determine whether the service fits your gaming habits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is GameFly?
GameFly is an online service that allows members to rent video games and, for eligible titles, purchase games they are currently renting.
Can I rent PS5 games from GameFly?
Yes. GameFly currently lists PlayStation games, including games for current PlayStation platforms.
Can I rent Xbox games?
Yes. GameFly offers games for Xbox platforms.
Can I rent Nintendo Switch games?
Yes. GameFly lists Nintendo Switch games among its available platform selections.
Can I buy a game after renting it?
Yes. Eligible rentals can be purchased using GameFly’s KEEP option, often at a discounted price.
Does GameFly have new games?
GameFly lists new releases and provides features such as GameLock for reserving certain upcoming titles.
Is GameFly better than buying games?
It depends on how often you play. Frequent gamers may benefit from renting multiple games, while people who play only a few titles may prefer buying.
Does GameFly still offer physical games?
Yes. Its Games by Mail service is based on physical game rentals delivered to members.
Conclusion
GameFly offers a different approach to gaming: instead of purchasing every game you want to try, you can rent physical copies and switch between titles.
For gamers who play frequently, enjoy trying new releases, and don’t want to spend full retail prices on every game, GameFly can be an appealing option.
Its combination of rentals, game availability, GameLock reservations, and the ability to purchase selected rentals gives gamers more flexibility in deciding what they actually want to own.
If you’re a gamer who plays many different titles throughout the year, GameFly may be worth adding to your list of gaming services to consider.
