What is GameFly & How it is Literally Changing The Game
Imagine being able to play almost ANY game you want without having to commit to buy it—a personal game collection that’s constantly refreshing with new titles from the latest releases to old favorites.
That’s the idea Sean Spector and Jung Suh had when they created GameFly back in 2002. They wanted to give gamers the freedom to explore new titles without the commitment of buying it before they even knew if they liked it.
They understood that not every game is a perfect fit for every player, and the traditional buy-before-you-try model left many gamers feeling stuck with titles that didn’t live up to their expectations.
Over the years, GameFly Digital has evolved alongside the ever changing world of gaming and you may be left wondering if GameFly still offers value or even if it still exists.
Well yes, GameFly is still in business and in this article, we’re going to break it all down for you. We’ll explore how GameFly works, what sets it apart from other services, and whether it’s still a worthwhile option in the modern gaming era.
We’ll also dive into the various membership benefits, how the rental process has adapted to current gaming trends, and whether GameFly’s offerings can truly meet your needs.
So, let’s dive in an find out.
What is GameFly?
GameFly is a subscription-based video game rental service and movie rental service based in Los Angeles that allows users to rent video games for various gaming consoles, such as PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo systems.
It operates similarly to Netflix’s original DVD-by-mail model, where subscribers choose games and movies from a large online library, receive them by mail, and can keep them for as long as you want without late fees.
When done, you return the game or movie and receive the next title in your queue. GameFly also offers the option to purchase games at discounted prices after renting them.
How does GameFly work?
GameFly allows you to rent video games and movies through the mail, providing an affordable and flexible way to try out a variety of titles without having to purchase them outright. Whether you’re a casual gamer or an avid gamer GameFly offers several options to suit your needs.
When you become a GameFly member, you can browse their extensive library of physical games and movies on the GameFly website. Once you’ve selected the titles you’re interested in, you add them to your rental queue.
GameFly will then ship the first available item in your queue directly to your home. Delivery typically takes between 2 to 8 business days in the US but shipping is free, and you can keep the rented game or movie for as long as you like, with no late fees.
GameFly offers game rentals for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo DS, as well as PS4.
When you’re done with your rented game or movie, you simply return it in the pre-paid envelope, and GameFly will send you the next title in your queue.
If you decide you want to keep a game you’ve rented, GameFly gives you the option to purchase it at a discounted price.
When you buy a game from GameFly, they’ll send you the original case and manual, so it’s like buying a new game but at a lower cost.
This option is a popular feature for you if you want to try out a game and decide it’s worth adding to your permanent collection.
How Does Renting from GameFly Work?
Renting from GameFly is a straightforward process that allows you to explore a wide range of video games and movies without the need to purchase them.
The cycle continues as long as your membership is active, letting you enjoy a continuous stream of entertainment. Here’s how renting works:
- 1. Sign Up and choose a GameFly membership that suits you.
- 2. Start adding the titles you want from the GameFly media library to your rental queue.
- 3. Receive your rental in a few days by mail for free.
- 4. Keep the rented game or movie for as long as you want.
- 5. Purchase the Game or return it in the pre-paid return envelop.
- 6. Once GameFly receives your returned game, they’ll send the next available title from your queue.
What happens when you cancel GameFly?
If you decide to cancel your GameFly membership, the process is straightforward. You simply return any rented games or movies, and your subscription will end without any penalties.
What happens when you buy a game from GameFly?
When you buy a game from GameFly after renting it, here’s what happens:
- Discounted Price: You will be billed for the total purchase price, which is often discounted and includes the cost of the used game, applicable sales tax, and, if you are not an active GameFly member, an additional shipping charge.
- Retention of the Disc: The game disc that you were renting is now yours to keep. You don’t need to return it to GameFly.
- Shipping of Case and Manual: GameFly will ship you the original case and manual for the game, so you’ll have it just like you would if you had bought it new.
- Next Rental: If you have more games in your rental queue, GameFly will ship the next available title to you, continuing your rental cycle with your plan.
How many games can I rent on GameFly?
You can rent and unlimited amount of games on GameFly but you can only rent one to four games at a time depending on your membership plan.
What are GameFly membership plans?
Any GameFly member can choose between the following plans:
- 1-Disc Plan – One game or movie out at a time for $17.95 plus tax/month
- 2-Disc Plan – Two games or movies out at a time for $25.95 plus tax/month
After you’ve been a paying member for at least two months at the regular price, you may receive a notification in your account offering an upgrade to the 3-disc plan.
3-Disc Plan – Three games or movies out at a time for $32.95 plus tax/month
If you decide to upgrade and complete a full month on the 3-disc plan, you’ll then become eligible for a further upgrade to a 4-disc plan.
4-Disc Plan – Four games or movies out at a time for $39.95 plus tax/month (after 1 month on 3-disk plan)
What are the benefits of GameFly membership?
GameFly membership offers a range of benefits designed to enhance your gaming experience while providing flexibility and value:
Is GameFly worth it?
GameFly is worth it if you’re someone who frequently plays games and would otherwise spend $60 or more each couple of months on new titles.
If you typically buy one or two new games a month, using GameFly instead could save you hundreds of dollars annually.
For example, if GameFly saves you the cost of just one new game each month, the Gamefly service more than pays for itself.
Wanna See Some GameFly User Reviews?
“GameFly is terrific because you can rent as many games as you want, and if you don’t like them you just send it right back and get the next one. Such freedom. No more feeling like you have to slog through and beat a mediocre game just because you bought it. No more wondering if a game is good enough to justify buying it. You can try any and all games that catch your fancy. If you don’t like it, send it back. If you like it enough to add it to your collection, just pay GameFly’s (very reasonable) used price and keep the game.“
“I love Gamefly. I pay $22 a month and I play through probably 4-8 brand new $60 releases on launch every single month between my Switch and PS5. I hope it never goes away because I don’t have to be a patient gamer anymore and I can just play every single new release.
“I started using GameFly the last few months cause I wanted to try titles before paying full price and potentially being disappointed. What swayed me was they carry a number of releases from Limited Run Games that were hyped/sold out (Celeste and River City Girls). It’s also good for stuff that’s now out of print; I’m also willing to try more random stuff that I don’t see for sale or wouldn’t normally buy.”
“I really liked the service as I usually play RPGs but with GameFly I rented the more action/fps/platformers that were outside of my generally preferred genre. It also was better because these games are shorter compared to most RPGs, so I get to try several in the time it takes me to finish one RPG.
“I love GameFly. I pay $22 a month and I play through probably 4-8 brand new $60 releases on launch every single month between my Switch and PS5. I hope it never goes away because I don’t have to be a patient gamer anymore and I can just play every single new release.
“I’ve had GameFly since 2009! There are a bunch of random games that I have played and loved since you don’t have to pay the $50 or $70 for a new one. There’s also a bunch of games that I’ve hated and immediately returned but I highly recommend GameFly if you want to play a lot of random games you might fall in love with“
“I’ve been using GameFly since 2008. I personally love it, I mainly use it for getting games I’m on the fence about and ones I want to try but really don’t want to buy to own. Also the option to keep the games you have out is nice too because you get them at a discount and they ship the case and everything included inside it too.”
“I have purchased about 10ish games from GameFly. Every game I have received is damn near new, not resurfaced or refurbed to like new, the disc is mirror fresh as if it were a copy that never left the warehouse for rent! All cases are new as well and have included every piece of print insert that should be with the game. If it is supposed to have DLC codes Gamefly will sell them with the game, unused!“
“I buy from GameFly all the time. Never had any problems with any games. The cases are usually in good shape, and it if the games came with any sort of downloadable codes, the codes were typically unused. Great value! Highly recommend.“