Feature Set:  

Like most online video game rental services, Gamerang has a queue, or a choice list, that allows members to select which games they would like to rent. As soon as your game return is received at the distribution center, another from your choice list is mailed.

In the future, we would like to see Gamerang develop a system a system where they ship your next game before your previous game is returned to the warehouse, like GameFly who has partnered with the postal service to make turnaround times faster.

Like most game services, Gamerang has no late fees, no due dates, free two-way shipping, reviews, the freedom to purchase a rented video game and the choice to cancel your membership anytime. Gamerang lacks parental controls and a trial membership is $14.95. Your membership also includes a one-year subscription to WIRED magazine.

If you’ve fallen in love with a particular game, you can utilize Gamerang’s “Keep’m” feature which allows you to purchase a game already in your possession. Your on file credit card will be charged for the game at Gamerang’s used price. You can also choose to purchase a game new and you don’t have to have a membership to buy used or new games in Gamerang’s store.

We found the individual game pages to be a bit lacking. Most games include a description, review, member’s rating and a critics rating. But we would like Gamerang to expand this to include more information like instructions, screenshots and cheats.

We really like the Release Calendar located in the site’s left navigation. Here, you can see the scheduled release dates for games over the course of the next few months. Clicking on each game will take you to that game’s official Gamerang page. However, the aesthetics of the release calendar could use some serious work. The calendar itself is kind of an eyesore.

Video Game Selection:  

Gamerang has more than 5000 game titles and their collection continues to grow every day. Gamerang supports nine major consoles including the newest platforms like Xbox360, PS3 and Wii. They also have a large library for handheld devices like PSP, Nintendo DS and GameBoy Advance.

Gamerang is one of two game rental services that still has PSOne rental options. They also offer PC downloads, however, you can only purchase PC games; they are not available for rent.

Search Capabilities:  

Gamerang takes a simplistic approach to navigation. You can search for your favorite video games by console, genre and category in the left navigation; platforms are located on the top toolbar or you can use the GameFinder search box located at the top of the page.

Gamerang has eight traditional genre categories: Action, Adventure, Racing, Puzzles/Arcade, RPG (Role-Playing Games), Simulations (for example, casino gaming), Sports and Strategy. You can also narrow your search by a game’s online capabilities. 

Although Gamerang doesn’t include a parental control feature, they do have a Kids Games category that includes more than 2400 game options. All games in the kid’s section are rated E for everyone. This section can also be narrowed by platform. However, the kid’s section is the only one separated by rating. There is no way to search other games by ESEB rating.

Video Game Arrival Time:  

Gamerang has four distribution centers around the country, including New Jersey, Oklahoma, Minnesota and California. This helps reduce shipping and turnover times significantly. Typical arrival time is usually only 2-4 business days.

We would like to see Gamerang implement a system in the future like GameFly, where your next game is shipped as soon as the postal service scans the game’s barcode. This could further help reduce turnaround times.

Available Plans:  

Gamerang has four different unlimited rental plans, which are:

• $17.95 monthly for one video game at a time
• $24.95 monthly for two video games at a time
• $49.95 monthly for three video games at a time
• $59.95 monthly for four video games at a time

Gamerang does require a $75 and $100 refundable deposit for those signing up for the three and four game options. This deposit is to ensure all games are returned within seven days of your membership cancellation.

Gamerang has one of the largest and most comprehensive game libraries on the Internet and with just a little more innovation, this service could be a real force to reckon with. Again, we would like to see Gamerang partner with the postal service for faster shipping times, implement a parental control system and maybe provide a bit more information on game pages.