14 Best Options for Video Game Rentals in 2022.
Who knew that the way games were delivered would revolutionize the gaming industry? Back in the 1900s, you could rent video games, but to do so, you had to go to a rental store like Blockbuster, hoping the game was there, and then give them your ID, deposit, and pay the rent. Then there was RedBox, but it is no more. Today’s game rentals don’t even require you to get out of your chair.
We’re talking about video game rentals, but what we’re really talking about is rentals, subscriptions, and legal free-to-play game providers. Let’s take a look at the best video game rental and subscription services for 2022.
1. GameFly
Service type: Rent
Platforms: Playstation 2, 3, 4 & 5, PSP, PS Vita, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, Wii, Wii U, DS, GameCube, GameBoy Advance
Delivery method: physical delivery
Cost: $15.95 to $43.95 per month
GameFly, the latest physical video game rental service, will send you as many games as you want to your inbox. Shipping to and from GameFly is free. Yes, getting a game takes longer than downloading it, but games for some platforms can’t be downloaded. If you like the game, let them know and they will sell it to you for a discounted price. Even better than in the play store.
2. GM2P
Service type: Rent
Platforms: Playstation 4, Xbox One,
Delivery Method: Library Load Model
Cost: $32.29 one-time deposit, 7 days $5.99/game, 14 days $11.59/game, 30 days $16.99/game.
For now, GM2P’s game rental service has proven to be legal, albeit in a gray area. They were able to keep working because they rent out as many copies of the game as they legally purchased. It’s like how libraries can only lend a book to one person at a time. The selection is a bit limited, but they have some of the best gaming franchises like Red Dead Redemption, Assassin’s Creed and more.
3. Console Classix
Service Type: Emulation Service
Platforms: Atari 2600, Nintendo NES, Colecovision, Nintendo SNES, Nintendo 64, Sega Genesis, SMS, Gameboy Advance, Gameboy Color, Sega Game Gear, SMS, and TurboGrafx-16.
Delivery Method: Library Load Model
Cost: Atari 2600, Nintendo NES, and Colecovision games are free, others are $5.99/month.
Using the same model as G2MP, Console Classix is geared towards classic game consoles and games your parents or even grandparents played. You download their Windows-only emulator app and then choose from over 3,500 games. If you want to see the original Mario Brothers or Pac Man games in all their glory, choose Console Classix.
4. Amazon Prime Gaming
Service Type: Subscription
Platforms: Windows PC
Delivery method: download via the app
Cost: Included with Amazon Prime
You probably already have Amazon Prime Gaming, but you didn’t know about it. Included with Amazon Prime, you get access to new and classic PC games to download and keep forever. You also get free in-game content like Prime Gaming Capsule for League of Legends or GTA$400,000 for GTA Online.
Most of the games are purchased from Amazon, but they are partnering with GOG and EA Origins. To access these games, you need to subscribe to GOG.com or EA Origins, which is free. At the time of this writing, some of the games included the Monkey Island series, Football Manager 2021, Frostpunk, and Journey to the Savage Planet.
5. Google Play Pass
Service Type: Subscription
Platforms: Android
Delivery method: download
Cost: $4.99/month or $29.99/year shared with up to 5 family members.
Of course, there are many free games on Google Play, but most of them have in-app purchases and ads. Google Play Pass gets rid of that for hundreds of games and apps, and they keep adding more all the time. It’s not just indie games. Among others, there are games based on the Star Wars franchise, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Game of Thrones. Remember that the Google Play Pass also includes regular apps and even podcasts.
6. Xbox Game Pass
Service Type: Subscription
Platforms: Xbox Series X and Series S, Xbox One, Windows PC, Xbox.com, Android, iOS
Delivery method: Download
Cost: Console $9.99/month, PC $9.99/month, Ultimate (all platforms) $14.99/month.
Microsoft’s entry into the game rental world is Xbox Game Pass. With over 100 blockbuster titles from Xbox Game Studios and Bethesda, you’ll never get bored. New releases are also added regularly. PC and Ultimate Game Pass also includes EA Play, a world of epic sports games for NBA, FIFA, NHL, F1, PGA Tour and more. The membership also gives you many free gaming perks such as skins and equipment.
7. PlayStation Now
Service Type: Subscription
Platforms: PlayStation 2, 3, 4, 5, and Windows PC.
Delivery method: download or broadcast
Cost: $12.99 per month or $34.99 for 3 months or $79.99 per year.
Another powerful gaming console, PlayStation Now is full of new games and the latest classics like Fallout, Final Fantasy and The Last of Us. Most games are always available, but some are only available until a set date. The ability to launch a game on console and then move to PC with a free app without losing any progress is enticing. For PC, you will need a compatible controller such as the Dualshock 4.
8. EA Play
Service Type: Subscription
Platforms: Xbox, Playstation, Steam, Origin and Windows PC.
Delivery method: Download
Cost: $4.99 per month or $29.99 per year per platform
EA Play, limited to EA games, might not be the most versatile game provider out there. Their subscription model is also complex. So complicated that they have account advisors to help make sure you have the right subscription. Your EA Play membership will only apply to one platform. So if you want it for Xbox and Playstation, those are 2 different subscriptions. There is also a PlayPro subscription for $129.99/year that gives you access to new releases, top releases, premium player content, and in-game rewards. This option is best for hardcore EA fans.
9. Utomik
Service Type: Subscription
Platforms: Windows PC
Delivery method: download via Utomik app
Cost: Personal plan $6.99/month, Family plan $9.99/month, up to 4 users.
With over 1,300 games with new games added regularly, Utomik is great for the whole family. Gameplay ranges from the graphic violence of FPS like Borderlands to ESRB E-rated puzzle games like Among the Heavens suitable for everyone, even the youngest kids. The family plan includes parental controls so you can keep your kids out of trouble.
10. Stadia Pro
Service type: Subscriber
Platforms: Web, iOS, Android, Smart TV
Shipping Method: Streaming
Cost: $9.99/month
The second Google entry for video game rentals is the Stadia Pro service. Instead of the apps, you have on your phone, Stadia Pro gives you access to several console-quality games like Saints Row or Paw Patrol. The number of free games is small, but Google adds them every month. You can save games as long as you subscribe to Stadia Pro. The membership also gives you discounts on premium games where the gameplay follows you from one device to another.
11. GeForce Now
Service Type: Subscription
Platforms: Windows PC, Mac, Android, Android TV, Chrome, Safari
Shipping Method: Streaming
Cost: Basic – Free, Priority – $49.99 for 6 months. RTX 3080 – $99.99 for 6 months
As a game streaming provider, Nvidia’s GeForce Now uses the latest technology in the gaming industry. That is cloud game servers. As long as you have good internet speed, you don’t need an expensive gaming rig. If you opt for the RTX 3080 plan, it’s like renting a gaming battle station with a coveted Nvidia RTX 3080 graphics card. It’s better than going to a game store, renting a console, and dragging it home once upon a time. There are some free games even on the Basic plan, but the best and latest games must be purchased.
12. Netflix Games
Service type: Subscriber
Platforms: Android, iOS
Delivery method: download
Cost: Included with regular Netflix subscription
Which? Does Netflix have games? The service has been available since November 2021. To find games, go to the Netflix app on your Android or iOS device and scroll down until you see Netflix Games. This does not appear on children’s profiles. Select the desired game and install it. There are also no in-app purchases. There are only 10 games available at the moment and 2 of them are based on Stranger Things. Expect to see more games based on the Netflix show.
13. Internet Archive
Service type: free
Platforms: Browser-based
Delivery method: download
Cost: Free
For fans of classic arcade games, vintage consoles, and computers, the Internet Archive is heaven, where games go when they die. With Flash browser emulators, Commodore 64, classic arcade games, Apple II, MS-DOS, consoles like Playstation PSX, Sega Genesis, Sega Master, Atari 2600, and exotics like Emerson Arcadia, Bally Astrocade, Amstrad GX . 4000, and Magnavox Odyssey2, over 60,000 video games are available. Is free. It just seems incredible. Who needs to rent games?
14. Classic Arcade Game Rentals
Service type: Rent
Platforms: slot machines
Delivery method: delivery or pickup
Cost: varies
However, you can look for other companies that rent classic arcade machines, Events Unlimited serves Portland, Oregon, Seattle, Washington, Phoenix, Arizona, and Las Vegas, while VideoAmusement serves California and Nevada from San Francisco. Pac Man to Pong, NBA Jam to Tron, arcade game rental companies will help you.
Do you think it’s too much? Think of it as more of a party rental or booth bait at a trade show or corporate event. Who doesn’t stop when they see a full-size Centipede or Qbert game? Think about this when planning your next event.
Game On for Everyone
If our 14 best video game rentals don’t make 2022 a better year for you, there’s nothing we can do. It’s not exactly a rental, of course, but the options are a lot cheaper than buying games and consoles outright. Put a few of them together and you can play the entire history of video games.
14 Best Options for Video Game Rentals in 2022
14 Best Options for Video Game Rentals in 2022