rental

Economic times are tough nowadays. How does a gamer survive and keep up on gaming? The library! Several libraries in the US have been featuring gaming programs to their local communities, and now they are starting to offer games for checking out. Spotted in a local library in Miami Dade County were a couple of Xbox 360 games. What’s great is you get the game in its original packaging, with the manual as well as game disc. Even better, there is no charge for checking them out. There is a 7 day checkout limit, which gives some gamers enough time to complete a game or rack up Gamerscore points or Trophies. It’s also great if you have to save up your allowance (or wait until your next paycheck) but want to get a head start on a game you’re planning on buying. The Miami Dade Public Library System also has strategy guides from popular publishers such as BradyGames. That will help you get through a game quicker within the 7 day limit.

Wii, Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 games are available at the Miami Dade Public Library. You can imagine that Wii games are in the biggest demand, as the waiting list may be 20+ people. If there is a waiting list, you won’t be able to renew the game for check out again, as you’ll have to get back into a queue. You can request games online and have the library deliver it to a library close to you as well (or borrow by mail for $2). It’s as easy as logging in with your library card number and pin, and selecting where you want to pick the game up. You’ll know at that point how long the waiting list is.

See the catalog of games available at the Miami Dade Public Library System:

See the list of
Wii games currently available here.

See the list of Xbox 360 games currently available here.

See the list of PLAYSTATION 3 games currently available here.

While the games available may currently be limited, it will be interesting to see where this goes. Will libraries finally archive videogames? Will the game selection expand and keep current? We’ll have to see, but for now, you can save money or check out a game you may have overlooked at your local library, for free!

Check with your local library to see if you can borrow games. Leave a comment below if you’ve found any or have been using your library to borrow videogames.

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If you’ve passed by your local Blockbuster store recently, you’ve probably seen posters for games such as Grand Theft Auto IV, Mario Kart Wii and Super Smash Bros. Brawl alongside new movie release posters. Some Blockbuster stores have a “new game releases” shelf when you first enter the store. PLAYSTATION 3 kiosks are featured at the center of the store. It’s clear that Blockbuster sees the game industry growing to that of its movie features, so videogame rentals and sales offerings will be expanding.


Blockbuster previously offered a $599 PLAYSTATION 3 80 GB bundle. A new $499 PLAYSTATION 3 40 GB bundle will be offered exclusively at several Blockbuster locations. Included in the $499 PLAYSTATION 3 bundle:


- 40 GB PLAYSTATION 3 console
- PLAYSTATION 3 Blu-ray Remote
- HDMI Cable
- “Spiderman 3″ Blu-ray disc
- “Transformers” PLAYSTATION 3 Game
- BLOCKBUSTER 12-week PLAYSTATION 3/Blu-ray rental card (one free rental a week for 12 consecutive weeks)


Blockbuster is also planning on offering more game titles for rent, including Nintendo DS games. Hardware and accessories for the DS will also be available later in 2008.


Blockbuster’s “Games” page can be seen here. There’s not much online currently, but keep a lookout for updates.


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