A Review of GameFly

GameFly is one of the leaders in online video game rental services, and with promises of quick shipping and an incredible selection of games, it's easy to see why so many people are excited about it. I am writing this review to hopefully change some people's minds.

First off, let me say, if you are a big gamer, you will want the two game deal. $22.95 a month sounds reasonable considering the high prices of "next-gen" games, but after two months of using GameFly I can safely assure you it's not worth the money. Here are my reasons why:

Game Availability: Here is the top of my game "queue":
1. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots -- Availability - Low
2. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare -- Availability - Low
3. MLB 08: The Show -- Availability - Low
4. Battlefield: Bad Company -- Availability - Low
5. NBA 2K8 -- Availability - Low

Each of these games have been on the top of my "GameQ" for over a month, and none of them have gotten to me. Instead, I have been shipped games at the bottom of my GameQ, games which I basically put on because they told me to have a nice long list. Games I planned to replace as newer games came out (which by the way, you'll never get). Call me crazy, but if I am paying $22.95 a month then shouldn't I have a little more of a say in what is sent to me? Instead of playing the constantly raved Metal Gear Solid game, I am stuck with Folklore, #12 on my GameQ which I played for 10 minutes before shipping it back. It has been a regular occurrence; me ripping that envelope open with excitement only to be disappointed with #15 or #20 which I added as a GameQ filler. This will lead me to GameFly's next biggest problem.

Delivery Times: They say 2-4 days is an average shipping time. Well, let's just say I haven't gotten a game in less than 4 days after shipping, and my latest game arrived 8 days after shipment. My question is, how can they possibly be so slow mailing a little sleeve of an envelope from Pennsylvania to my home in Massachusetts? After finishing up a game, don't expect to get another one for AT LEAST another week. Needless to say, their delivery times are infuriating.

Selection: Doesn't matter. They have every game you could possibly want, but you won't get it until it's out of date. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare came out on November 7th, 2007. I requested it the day I joined GameFly, and it was at #2; two months later that spot hasn't budged. So don't listen to their claims of a huge selection, because really all you're going to get from them is year old games from the bottom of your GameQ.

Customer Service: I've got to focus on SOMETHING positive, and this is all I could think of. For the most part, GameFly's customer service team is quick and helpful. They will almost always get back to you within 24 hours. There is one thing to watch out for: be VERY careful when opening your envelope up. Mess up the return envelope inside and you've got to go online, request a new envelope, wait a day for them to mail it, and then another 5 days for it to arrive. It's not a fun experience, so be careful about that.

Overall Score: 2/5
GameFly is incompetent in just about everything they brag about in commercials. There are certainly better options, and if possible, I would exercise those.