* Cost: $12.95/mo - 1 Game Out
* Over 4000 Titles
* Games Arrive In 2-4 Days
* Free 10 Day Trial
* PlayStation® 3, PlayStation® 2, PSP, Xbox 360, Xbox, Wii, GameCube, Nintendo DS, and Game Boy Free
* Email Support
Among GottaPlay’s most unequaled characteristics is their video game swapping programs. Rather than joining up a conventional game rental program, you can opt to trade your games with different players. Your membership comes with mailing envelopes, postal tracking and GottaPlay’s warrantee to have your swapped video games returned.
Upon signing for the game trading program, you create a trading list which contains your personal games, and then you select the games you want to receive and play. When another member elects to play one of your video games you simply mail them the video game (manual and cover art are optional) and then another member will send you the games that you requested.
GamePoints are used to manage the game trading system. Traders are awarded Gamepoints after they successfully mail games within a specific time frame. You need to have enough Gamepoints in your account to begin receiving games. For an additional $1.99 per trade, you are able to buy Gottaplay's insurance known as a "GameShield" which will ensure that your game will be replaced (by Gottaplay) in the event that your games are stolen, damages or lost during a trade.
Gottaplay has done a lot lately to improve the quality of the site including game pages with reviews, videos, ratings from 1up.com, game descriptions and screenshots. That said they are still in the process of making the website more complete and some games do lack complete info. In addition, we have noticed some strange discrepancies, like the fact that the 1up.com ratings on Gottaplay differed from the ratings on the actual 1up.com site.
There are no late fees or due dates for any of the games, and free shipping is provided on both rentals and trades. You can also rent PSP movies as a Gottaplay member, however the section is not that extensive. At this time there are no parental controls built into the system.
Game Inventory:
GottaPlay has an inventory of 4000 plus games covering all the major consoles including newer platforms such as PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii. In addition Gottaplay also has rentals for the major handheld devices such as Nintendo DS, PSP & GameBoy Advance. They do a good job of keeping the inventory updated and you can usually find all the big new releases.
Searchability:
Gottaplay has some powerful and user-friendlt ways to search for games. You can filter your searches by platform and genre or search for a specific title.
There are twelve total categories of games which include, shooter, fighting, sports & music, new releases, most wanted and coming soon. The only thing that is missing that would be nice is a way to search for all games for a given console.
Delivery Speed:
With 9 distribution centers around the US, Gottaplay covers the country pretty well. Gottaplay centers are located in Connecticut, Maryland, Georgia, Illinois, Colorado, Arizona, Texas, California. One unique feature is that Gottaplay allows you to track the status of a game that is on route to you. This really helps you keep track of games you are trading.
Monthly Plams:
GottaPlay has 3 monthly pricing options. Each plan is based on how many games you have out at one time. If you want to go with the 3 game plan then you have pay a three month deposit
• 1 Game- $12.95
• 2 Games- $20.95
• 3 Games- $28.95
Trading games is a different situation. You are able to do trades at $1.99 per trade or for $9.99 per month you can do unlimited trades.
Summary:
Gottaplay continues to strengthen and refine their service and website and if you are into trading games my be the perfect option for you, Games are delivered in a timely manner and all in all this is a good service.