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By Helen Storey
Staff Writer
Thursday, 29 October 2009
First published 23 October 2009
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EVERY gamer has done it. Unwrapped the cellophane of an eagerly-awaited new release, played it to death, and then completed it, got bored, or got stuck, and let it sit gathering dust.
With an average release price of £40 for a PS3 game, avid gamers soon find out it can be an expensive hobby.
Renting games could be the answer. With no late fees, you can play for as long as you like, and if you find that it's really not all it's cracked up to be, you're safe in the knowledge that you haven't just blown your hard-earned cash on a very expensive drinks coaster.
But where to start? We've devised a guide that will take you up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, (B, A, Start)and through the best games rental sites out there.
SwapGame
SwapGame, as the name suggests, is a dedicated online site for games only. It boasts the UK's largest catalogue of over 6,000 titles for PS3, PS2, PSP, XBox360, XBox, Wii, Gamecube, Nintendo DS and Gameboy Advance.
How much does it cost?
SwapGame has three simple tariffs to suit both hardcore and not-so-serious gamers alike.
For the serious joypad fiddlers, the UL2 plan allows you unlimited games per month, with two discs at any time, meaning you can rotate your gaming playlist as much as you like. This plan comes in at £7.99 for the first month, and £14.99 thereafter.
The next tariff down is the UL2 plan, which will allow you unlimited discs per month, with one disc out at any time. It's £4.99 for the first month, and £9.99p/m after that.
For the sporadic gamer, SwapGame have a new plan called CP1, which allows you one disc per month at the quite fabulous price of £3.99p/m.
Anything else?
SwapGame offers a 10-day free trial for its UL2 plan, so you can try it out before you commit.
For the technology boffs, you can even change your rental queues and request games from your mobile phone via SwapGame's dedicated mobile site.
If all this isn't enough, if you decide that you like your rental game enough to keep it, you can buy it online for a cheaper-than-new pre-played price. They will automatically deduct your account and send you out the box, the manual and the next rental game from your online list.
Boomerang
Another of the dedicated gaming-only websites, and now with a far more user-friendly website, Boomerang has over 3,500 titles for PS3, PS2, PSP, XBox360, XBox, Nintendo Wii and DS.
How much does it cost?
The Value package starts at £7.99, for two games per month, with a maximum of one disc at a time. If two weeks is long enough for you to play a game, then this is probably the package for you.
If you want something a little more, the Unlimited One tariff at £9.99p/m will allow you an unlimited amount of games, with one out at a time.
The Unlimited Two tariff offers a similar unlimited service, but with two games out at any one time for £13.99
If you're desperate for the new releases straightaway, Boomerang have a unique priority service which gives you the first choice of the newest releases for £2 extra per month on the Unlimited Two tariff, bringing it to £15.99p/m.
Anything else?
Boomerang's service is constantly evolving, and as such has some great features you generally don't find anywhere else.
Their traffic light availability system will let you know whether or not you can expect to be waiting a while for your next rental. You can also customise your rental queue to give preference to your Top 3 or Top 5 in the queue, the balanced option, which aims for fast turnaround, or the fast option which will get a particular game out to you as soon as possible.
Instructions for games are available from the website, even if they're not always a top priority for every gamer out there.
Boomerang wins major brownie points for its whopping 21 day trial, but loses a couple of them when you find out it's for a maximum of 3 games only, although three weeks will definitely give you a taste for whether you would like to continue membership or not.
LoveFilm
If you fancy a film along with your games, LoveFilm's combination DVD and games service will suit you perfectly. It offers games for PS3, PS2, PSP, XBox360, XBox, Wii, DS and Gamecube.
How much does it cost?
The cheapest DVD and games combination package is £9.78p/m, for a limited four discs a month, with a maximum of two out at any time.
Their unlimited rentals with one disc at a time package is £10.76p/m, for two discs, £14.68p/m, and for three £18.58p/m.
Anything else?
All of these packages can be tested out with LoveFilm's usual 14-day free trial. While LoveFilm's reputation is second to none, we hope they introduce a cheaper for lighter users of games some time soon.
Blockbuster
Another in the DVD and games camp, Blockbuster also serves the film buff and the gamer, offering titles on the PS3, PS2, PSP, XBox360, XBox, Wii and DS.
How much does it cost?
There's only one package for films and games, so there's not a great deal of choice. On the other hand, it makes your decision a whole lot easier. Blockbuster's 2 DVD Unlimited Gamer tariff is £19.99p/m, with the first month half price. You get unlimited movies or games per month, with two discs out at a time.
Anything else?
As an added bonus (and handy for postal strike hell), you get two free in-store games rentals per month when you take out the Blockbuster's gaming package.
Whether you attend conventions in a home-made Mario suit, complete with bushy moustache, or you just like to indulge in a little bit of brain training on an evening, your perfect games rental package is out there.
 Online DVD Rental
DVD Rental Guide
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