When our research and review team began to take the task of creating in-depth and comprehensive game rental website reviews, we knew GottaPlay had to make the list. Here's the 4-1-1.
What's New?
- Guaranteed Fastest Delivery Times
- Renting and Trading Programs Available
- Automated Postal Tracking of Shipments
Star Reviews' Favorite Feature:
We really like the fact that GottaPlay has automated postal tracking. As soon as the post office scans the rentals you're returning, GottaPlay sends the next ones. This really cuts back on wait times between game arrivals.
The GottaPlay Experience:
At first glance the GottaPlay website looks like most of the other online game rental sites on the Internet. Once you start digging into the service a bit more, however, you find that there are some significant differences between GottaPlay and the competition.
First, GottaPlay isn't just about renting games. They also have members trading games with one another. This can be a bit confusing, and figuring out exactly what is included with what memberships isn't an easy task. To sum it up nicely for you, it turns out that game trades are not included with your monthly game rental plan. You have to pay extra for trading.
One of the other things we did not like about the GottaPlay website is the fact that you have to give them your email address before they show you the different rental plans available. If you decide you don't like any of the plans, the company already has your email address and there's no guarantee they won't use it for marketing purposes.
Once you do get to the page where you pick which plan you want, there is nothing indicating that trading is not included with the rental subscription (which it isn't). If you want to trade with other GottaPlay members, you have to pay extra. We feel that GottaPlay could work a little harder to make everything clear to potential members.
While there are three rental plans available, GottaPlay only offers a free trial for two of them. If you want the "three out at a time" plan, you have to pay up front (no free trial) and you have to pay for three months in advance. It really made no sense to us, but those are the rules you play by if you decide to go with this online game rental service.
GottaPlay Features:
- Game rental and game trading plans available.
- GameShield damage protection.
- Three rental plans to choose from.
- Fastest delivery times, guaranteed.
- Free ten-day trial.
Game Systems Supported:
- XBOX
- XBOX 360
- PS2
- PS3
- PSP
- Wii
- GameCube
- GameBoy Advance
- Nintendo DS
GottaPlay Pricing:
- Unlimited rentals - 1 out at a time) - $12.95 per month.
- Unlimited rentals - 2 out at a time) - $20.95 per month.
- Unlimited rentals - 3 out at a time) - $28.95 per month (3 month pre-pay required).
- $9.99 per month for unlimited trades or a pay-per-trade option for $1.99 per trade.
GottaPlay Customer Service:
GottaPlay offers customer service via online email submission. You'd think there'd be phone support since there's a number for it on the web page, but when you call the number all you get is a message telling you to contact them using email or the website. It was quite disappointing, especially since email support wasn't very prompt. It took us two business days to get the answer to the question we had sent.
Upside:
Trade with other members, fast delivery times, games offered for a wide variety of platforms.
Downside:
Confusing plans and inadequate customer service.