Japan’s gaming rental market is booming, bucking the trend seen in other regions where this business has been declining. GEO, a major Japanese game retailer, recently shared insights with IT Media News about the surprising popularity of its console rental service.
The company launched its rental program earlier this year, and the response has been overwhelming. Many Japanese gamers are opting to rent consoles rather than buying them outright. The PS5 is the most in-demand console, with rentals surging whenever a highly anticipated game is released. For example, when Monster Hunter Wilds dropped, GEO’s rental service saw a significant spike in bookings.
GEO offers console rentals across 400 locations in Japan. Renting a PS5 costs 980 yen for 8 days or 1,780 yen for 15 days. The company admits it underestimated the demand for this service.
According to VGC, the PS5 rental boom in Japan is linked to the console’s pricing. Despite being available for five years, the PS5 hasn’t received a permanent price cut, making rentals an attractive option for gamers looking to play the latest titles without the upfront cost.