GameFly (also known as Gamefly) is an United States online video game rental subscription service, whose niche is in providing games for handheld game consoles and game consoles.

Primarily, GameFly is similar to the DVD rental subscription service Netflix in that games are sent to subscribers via the United States Postal Service in re-mailable, pre-paid mailers. (Non-US residents are ineligible for the service, as GameFly does not ship overseas.) The subscriber then can keep the games for as long as desired while paying the monthly fee, although the number of games is limited by the type of subscription plan chosen by the subscriber. Additionally, the user can create a queue, known as the GameQ , of up to 50 games. Upon returning the game to a GameFly distribution center, GameFly automatically ships out the next game in the GameQ , making the process cyclical for as long as the user is a subscriber and updates his or her GameQ . Customers typically expect delivery of their requested games within 2-5 days of shipment. If the received game disc or cartridge is damaged or unplayable for some reason, or if the wrong game was received, the customer can return it for a replacement or have the next item in their rental queue sent instead.

Subscribers also have the added benefit of buying selected pre-paid games at a reduced price, should they choose the keep the game. Subsequently, subscribed users will get the jacket and instruction booklet for the game mailed to them for free. Non-subscribers may also buy games, though not at a discounted price afforded to subscribers.

The caveat is that all this is done online, where the user must provide a credit card as a form of payment and means of verification.

Also, retail outlets such as Best Buy offered pre-paid versions of GameFly for new subscribers (where they pay one month for two months worth of service), and gift certificates can be sent to friends and family -- although these require the people receiving the pre-paid pack or gift certificate to furnish a credit card as a means of verification and incurring future charges.

=Rental offerings=

At launch in September 8, 2002, GameFly boasted 1000 titles for the Sony Computer Entertainment PlayStation 2, Microsoft Xbox, Nintendo Gamecube and the portable handheld console, Nintendo s Gameboy Advance

In November 2004, GameFly added Nintendo DS games to rent.

On March 21, 2005, GameFly added Sony Playstation Portable (PSP) games to their offerings. Near the end of April 2005, GameFly also added Universal Media Disc movies to their catalog for the Playstation Portable. [http://www.gamefly.com/press/pr_20050321.asppg=4&prn=1]

GameFly does not support older game systems, such as the Nintendo 64, PlayStation One, Sega Genesis, Colecovision, or the FM Towns Marty as of this writing. Though the service plans to add games for the next generation consoles -- the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Nintendo Revolution -- when they become available.

GameFly does not plan on adding PC games to its catalog, due to legal issues. [http://gamefly.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/gamefly.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.phpp_faqid=62&p_created=1116916457&p_sid=8FOsDpIh&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPSZwX3NvcnRfYnk9JnBfZ3JpZHNvcnQ9JnBfcm93X2NudD03NSZwX3BhZ2U9MQ**&p_li=cF91c2VyaWQ9am9lYmVhdWRvaW5Aam9lYmVhdWRvaW4ubmV0JnBfZW1haWw9am9lYmVhdWRvaW5Aam9lYmVhdWRvaW4ubmV0JnBfcGFzc3dkPWpkc2l1NGprZjhqZnVkODcmcF9saV9wYXNzd2Q9YXNkZkRTREZhc2RmYWFzZGZ3ZXJBUw**]

= Service plans =

GameFly offers three different plans, depending on how many games are rented at a time. All plans are for unlimited games, meaning that the user is not charged on a per-game basis, but on a monthly basis.

# One game out at a time costs $14.95 per month. # Two games out at a time costs $21.95 per month. (This is the most popular and promoted plan.) # The three game out at a time plan, which is only eligible to users in good standing for a duration of 60 days, costs $28.95 per month.

Plans are priced using US dollars and sales tax is charged in most states.

= Distribution centers =

= See also =

= External links =