Buying every new release adds up fast, especially with AAA titles now priced at $70. GameFly offers an alternative: rent the games you want to play, send them back when you’re done, and skip the shelf full of titles you’ll never touch again.
What Is GameFly?
GameFly is a video game rental and subscription service founded in 2002. It works like the old Netflix DVD model, but for games: you build a list of titles you want to play, GameFly mails you a disc, and you can keep it as long as you like with no due dates or late fees. Once you’re done, you mail it back and the next title on your list ships out.
The catalog covers over 8,000 console and handheld titles across PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo platforms, including new releases the same week they launch.
How GameFly Works
- Sign up and choose a plan based on how many discs you want at home at once.
- Build your queue — add the games you want to play, in order of priority.
- Receive your first game by standard mail (typically 5–6 business days).
- Play as long as you want — there are no rental deadlines or late fees.
- Mail it back using the included prepaid envelope, and your next queued title ships automatically.
You can also choose to buy a rented game at a discounted “pre-played” price instead of returning it.
GameFly Pricing
GameFly runs two core plans:
- 1-Game Plan — $19.95/month for unlimited rentals, one disc at home at a time
- 2-Game Plan — $27.95/month for unlimited rentals, two discs at home at a time
New members often get an introductory discount for the first three months. Members can also earn loyalty perks over time, including keep-the-game discounts after extended membership.
Is GameFly Worth It?
Whether GameFly makes sense depends on how you play:
GameFly makes sense if you:
- Want access to full-priced new releases without buying them outright
- Play a moderate number of games per month rather than binging one title constantly
- Don’t mind waiting a few days for physical mail delivery
- Like the option to try before permanently buying a game
GameFly may not fit if you:
- Want instant digital access — subscriptions like Xbox Game Pass deliver games immediately, with no shipping wait
- Play primarily on PC, since GameFly’s core service is console-focused
- Need shipment tracking — standard rentals ship via USPS First Class Mail without individual tracking numbers
GameFly vs. Digital Subscriptions
The biggest trade-off is speed versus breadth. Digital subscription services offer instant access but rotate a curated library, so a new blockbuster isn’t always included. GameFly, by contrast, gives you access to virtually any physical release — including day-one AAA titles — but delivery takes days rather than seconds.
Final Thoughts
GameFly fills a specific gap that digital-only subscriptions don’t cover: unlimited access to new and older physical game releases without the full retail price tag. It won’t suit gamers who want instant downloads, but for anyone comfortable with a short mail turnaround, it remains one of the more affordable ways to play a wide range of titles.