People complain about how buying new cars makes no sense because the value decreases by a quarter once you drive it off the lot. There’s a similar, more severe affliction with video games, with trade-in and resale values that plummet to pennies on the dollar once you’ve unwrapped the box.

Renting almost always makes sense for hardcore gamers, and mail services such as GameFly give you better selection, if not quicker service, than video stores. That’s why it’s mildly exciting that GameFly is teaming with Microsoft to offer you the first month of GameFly service for $5.95. Pony up the $6 and you also get 400 Microsoft points, with a value of $5. My recommendation: try it for a month, beat the hell out of an obscure game you’ve long had your eye on, then if you want to test the waters without a monthly commitment cancel the service, having only lost a buck in the process.

You can access the promotion via the interface on your 360. Deal expires Sept. 13.