While it's true that gamers can view "walkthroughs" screen shots online, and other online game samples are available to take a look at how a game works, there is nothing like actual hands on playing to find out whether it's something you will love, like or hate.



Just like movie rentals, video games are available to rent from many or most movie rental companies, along with some game stores and online as well. The big problem with renting form a local store, though, is that they rarely have a good selection, and it can be very expensive.

As a result, being able to rent video game online is making a big splash. Video game rental is the ultimate in convenience and cost savings. Video game rental means you don't have to buy a game for $30 or more, but you can try games before buying to make sure it's a game you want to keep. Just like services like NetFlix or Blockbuster's movie service through the mail, game rental companies are springing up too.

For teens and older gamers, trying before buying can keep from spending hard-earned money on games that turn out to be duds. Gamers can try nearly every game that's on the market. And many video game rental companies let you keep the game you want to buy at a discount.

As a parent, online video game rental can be a godsend. Even young gamers now have access to game systems like GameCube. If you have no idea about content of games or which games were any good, video game rental can be a great way to go. Renting games first, you are able to view games before allowing your children to play them, and find out if they are too frightening, or violent or otherwise not appropriate.

Even using the rating system set out by the gaming industry doesn't always help. One mom explained it this way: "We had one game called Super Smash Brothers that was rated E-10+ meaning better for older kids over ten. But we felt it was fine -just cartoon violence. But another game rated E-10+, the X-Men game, was so violent and bloody that if we hadn't been able to rent it first we would have been stuck with a game we were not going to let our son watch!" She saved about $50 in game purchasing costs by not having to buy!

The companies that let you rent video game online have incredible selections of games, and have them for every platform on the market - handheld game systems like the Game Boy or Nintendo DS, through GameCube, and the high end too like Xbox, Playstation 3 and the Nintendo Wii. You have many games to choose from. It an be much cheaper than renting from the local store because you won't pay late fees or shipping; just send back the games when you are through (and you can send back the game that are really terrible right away!)

But best of all, many game services offer credits that add up as you continue your subscription. These credits can be applied toward buying games. When you find a game you like, you can usually just keep it and they will send you the box and inserts, with free shipping. In just one sample of purchase pricing, a game that retails for $50 could be purchased for $27 after applying credits and discounts - a really great deal all around!

For gamers that have multiple game systems, such as console as well as handheld, it helps to be able to choose games for short rental periods when going on vacation for example. Most of the time, games are available for all game platforms. For the games you want to rent, you can add them to a "queue" or list, and when one is returned, the next one is sent out. A money savings and less hassle too.

Video game rental is a great way to try out games before spending the ever-higher prices to buy them, and can even let you purchase a game at a discount. Many online video rental companies offer a free trial - it's worth it to see if it is right for you.