Red Box Finally Does Something Netflix Doesn't, Launches Game Rental Service

Netflix has been staunch in its belief that getting into the game rental business is something simply not worth the company's investments. After all, when you're spending $100 million on Mad Men streaming rights, I guess it's just not worth it to invest in a new infrastructure that could potentially be another huge source of revenue and likely send GameFly, with its perpetually sluggish mailing times, running screaming for the hills.

Don't tell that to Red Box, though, as they've just entered that supposedly irrelevant world of "video games" with a new rental service. Yes, that other movie rental automaton with the big red logo--this being the one with all the supermarket kiosks, mind you--plans to finally break away from its long-standing policy of just doing whatever Netflix already does--albeit years after the fact and less conveniently--and officially launch its brand-new game rental service at 21,000 Red Box locations starting tomorrow. Rentals will go for $2 a pop, and those with the Red Box iOS app can use it to reserve games ahead of time. Some of the games you'll be able to rent as of tomorrow include:

• Brink (PS3, X360)
• Call of Duty: Black Ops (PS3, X360, Wii)
• Duke Nukem Forever (PS3, X360)
• Family Party: 30 Great Games (Wii)
• Infamous 2 (PS3)
• Just Dance 2 (Wii)
• LA Noire (PS3)
• Lego Pirates of the Caribbean: The Video Game (X360, Wii)
• Michael Jackson: The Experience (Wii)
• Red Faction: Armageddon (PS3, X360)
• Rio (Wii)
• Transformers: Dark of the Moon (PS3, X360, Wii)
• You Don’t Know Jack (X360)

It's interesting that the Xbox 360 version of LA Noire isn't on the list, though that might specifically have to do with that version of the game's multi-disc packaging. Might be tough for one of those kiosks to spit out four discs in one package.

At this point, I can safely say I know exactly no one with a GameFly subscription, though I know plenty of people who rely on demos to help them make purchasing decisions. Given Red Box's relative convenience, I must ask, is this something you'd find yourself using on the regular when it came to checking out new games you might be on the fence about?

Granted, this really only applies for the next couple of weeks, until a sweaty, red-faced Netflix executive angrily announces that they've spent $100 billion for the exclusive distribution rights to video games. Like, all of them. Because that'll show those kiosk-loving interlopers what's what.

Neat

What.

I live in Austin which was a test market for game rentals on Redbox - it's pretty cool if you just want to try out a game for a night or two.

This is awesome, especially since all the blockbusters around me have closed.

Weird :I

Looks interesting

Family Party: 30 Great Games sounds like great value :o

Love this idea - would be much cheaper for me since I only play console games when big-ticket games come out. Gamefly is a bit too expensive for my playing habits.

Some great titles on-board right from the start...seems interesting :)

I'd pay $2 to try out some of those games (beyond any demos I've already played). Sounds good.

Uhm, I've been able to rent games for months now from redbox

Redbox has been renting games for along time in my area

Do I remember game rentals? Uhh, yeah. I rented one yesterday. LoveFilm is a great service.

I'd still rather buy it used for 10$

I was on a trip to maryland this past weekend and the redbox kiosk at a walmart i believe said games but none were in stock.  I'd possibly use it  to pick up games if i had some extra cash in my pocket.

How long can you rent out the games for?

Here's hoping this causes Netflix to jump in.

Since I just canceled Gamefly for the second time this looks interesting. At least for short action games that I can beat on a day off.

Probably in the minority, but I never had a problem with Gamefly when I used them for a summer. Turnaround time was always between 2-3 days, but with a two-at-a-time plan I was always able to stagger them. Honestly the best thing about Gamefly was getting used games at a pretty cheap price with cases and codes that were brand new and unused.

Yeah, I am definitely interested in this. With the loss of basically every video store came the loss of game rentals. For me, that meant every time a reviewer suggested a rental of a game, I had to skip it because I had no other options and I was not prepared to use Gamefly after I heard so many bad things about it.

I still have Gamefly but it's starting to annoy me. I sent back Enslaved last Tuesday and they didn't send me another game until this past Monday. I might consider dropping them and go back to Family Video or trying out RedBox.

And as usual, Giantbomb proves that they are MONTHS behind on current news.  Redbox has been carrying video games for well over 5 months now.  Way to be on top of things GB. 

I would love Gamefly if they kept games in better stock and had faster delivery service.

In other words, I would love Gamefly if it was run by Netflix.

About time. To many copy cat companies releasing movies for renting or buying. 

This would probably get me to play more midling games and genres I'm generally not interested in, something I did when Blockbuster was still a thing. I remember when I could see games and immediately think rental from back of the box. But I never have and never will buy a game I rent because there is still that compulsion to beat it before the rental period is over. Demos get me to buy games, not rentals.
 
Interesting pricing though. $2 to power through DNF in one sitting....sold!

I will use the shit out of this. I live in a city with a GameFly distribution center, and delivery times were still atrocious back when I had an account.

That was such an Alex Navarro tag.

Looks like I might actually play Modern Warfare 3 and other games that I am only mildily interested in that I never planned on buying.

@Nedemis said:

And as usual, Giantbomb proves that they are MONTHS behind on current news. Redbox has been carrying video games for well over 5 months now. Way to be on top of things GB.

Umm, I don't think it goes nation wide until tomorrow. I have seen several redbox kiosks near me that have game rentals, but also some that do not have them.

Interesting pricing though. $2 to power through DNF in one sitting....sold!

The kiosks around here have been doing it for a while now but I haven't used them yet.

This is perfect for Duke Nukem.

My Redbox has been renting games for months. I checked today and they have the new Transformers game and Duke Nukem. I can see myself picking up Duke for $2.

Redbox is the best deal ever for renting games. I paid six bucks to beat LA Noire.

@Nedemis: they only went national with the service yesterday.

@christ0phe said:

Uhm, I've been able to rent games for months now from redbox

This.

old news confirmed? I totally did this back in Novemeber...jus sayin haha.

2 dollars for 1 night?  That's a bit rough.  Guess its good to try out a game that doesnt have a demo.  Theres a Blockbuster here that is still open and i rented a game the other day...10 bucks for 5 days.  So that's about right for Redbox I suppose. 
 
Too expensive, rather put that money towards actually buying a game.

@FUPA11: 2 bucks a night

man, people really don't understand the idea of test markets do they?

Thank fucking god.

I have never seen a red box before.

And as usual, Giantbomb proves that they are MONTHS behind on current news.  Redbox has been carrying video games for well over 5 months now.  Way to be on top of things GB. 

My city was a part of the testing the last several months. The selection was pretty good, though I went a few Tuesday nights and they were already out of some new releases so hopefully the stock will be improving. 2 bucks though, if I know I have a free evening to put a lot of time on a game.... can't believe the last time I went to Blockbuster it was like 9 bucks.

I had no idea this wasn't a widespread thing! My brother and I rented MK from the Redbox just last month. Works as advertised - but the quantity is still super limited, so check online if you're trying to find a specific game before heading out.

I understand some people have a problem with how long Gamefly takes but they seem to be overlooking the basic math of keeping the service. 
1. You can rent and return any game, anytime, for as long as you want, while maintaining a budgeted amount on games each month. 
2. If there are any games you want to purchase buying your home rental copy is the cheapest way to get one. Even if you purchase on day one it will be cheaper. I usually purchase in about a week or so and get it $15 off the MSRP and I am the only owner ever. 
3. Also, they sell year subscriptions with a good percentage off the total year if you buy in advance. 
 
RedBox is going to have a very limited selection that will make this a silly notion for anyone interested in trying a variety of games constantly.