I spent the majority of my free time over the past two weekends playing Paper Mario: The Origami King on my Nintendo Switch. See, I borrowed it from the library, so I had a very limited amount of time with it. I managed to renew it once, which got me the second weekend, but still, I really poured a lot of hours into it in a short amount of time. I don’t normally play my Switch during the week too often, but I found myself reaching for it before dinner and before bed several times too in order to get in a few more hours.
I love the library, I truly do, but a week for video games is crazy. Far too low. You get books for three weeks, and books are something you technically can finish in a day or two, whereas with video games, that usually cannot happen.
But I know libraries have fewer copies of video games than they do books, and they’re a lot more expensive, so the current limits (that my library has, at least) are there for a reason. However, because there are such a small number of copies, there are always long waiting lists for these games. And having to reimmerse yourself in a game every month or so when you can get your hands on it is not ideal.
Video games, like books and movies, are things you can fully and happily consume without owning them, yet there isn’t really a good method of getting to play without outright buying them. While there are some games I love and want to keep to play again, some I’m content to just play once, so I don’t really want to spend all that money on it. I think Blockbuster used to rent out games (though I don’t know how long the rental period was), but obviously that’s not an option anymore.
And though there are a few people offering game trades on Facebook Marketplace or Kijiji, it’s not very common. People want to buy and sell, but I think that’s a shame for video games.
Anyway, Paper Mario was very cute and I enjoyed it, but I forced myself to rush through the main story as fast as I could. I got to the credits so I was okay enough to return it on its due date, but if I had more time, I would have played more to complete side quests for fun. Save the Toads and all that.
Gamers, what are your thoughts on the matter? Are you happy purchasing games? Do you utilize your public library’s collection of video games ever?
Though I guess I should add that even if Blockbuster was still around, I have a feeling the prices to rent a game for three weeks would be so high that I’d be better off just buying it. On principle alone, I’d probably stick with the free library anyway. I know myself enough to say this.
That’s all for now.
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Coolbeans4 
I don’t do video games as often as I once did, nor as often as I’d like. One of those things I just don’t make time for unless I’m really in the mood. I recently bought Metroid Dread and played for roughly an hour before deciding I didn’t have the patience or the attention span that I once had when playing games like that. I’ve never checked any video games out from the library, though I have been tempted on occasion when perusing their very small collection of PS4 games. I usually talk myself out of it because I don’t want to have to drive back over to the library to return the game in a few days. Have you ever considered a membership with Gamefly? It’s just like the old Netflix DVD through the mail rental service, where you pick the game(s) you want to rent and can keep them for as long as you want without late fees. Of course, there’s a monthly membership cost, but if you get enough enjoyment out of the games, it might be worth it. I had a membership with them back when the PS2 was still in its prime, so they’ve been around for a long time. I can’t remember how much it costs, but I’m sure it’s like so many other things where you can do a free trial to see if it’s something you’d be interested in. Hope that helps!
Gamefly isn’t available in Canada, and I’ve never heard of a Canadian equivalent.
That’s a bummer.
Seeing as I was around before video games existed, yes I’m that old, they have always intrigued me. The technology amazes me still. I can sit at my simulator , and race against other people from across the world on virtual tracks in real time on iracing. The only other game I play is player unknown battlegrounds , or PUBG for short. I’m never going to be any good but I do have fun. These are all pc based with subscriptions , although PUBG is now free. I like your library idea although I would probably lean towards buying used if I had a console system. That way I could take my time and not feel rushed. I find video games relaxing, I know a few people who should play them .
I definitely try to buy used when I can! That goes for everything, not just video games!
Wasn’t there gamefly? I think that was a game rental company when Netflix used to send movies through the mail. I think renting games is a good concept, however, I find if I’m going to invest so much time in a game, I would rather just own it. Even if it’s a game I only play once, I find it still is usually worth the $50 – $60 price tag.
I’d never heard of Gamefly, but I just looked into it and it’s only available in USA, hence why I had never heard of it! Some games definitely are worth the price tag, but some really don’t have much replay value or much to do after you complete the main quest.