8 Best NFT Games to Play in 2024
Why Trust Cryptonews
NFT games use blockchain technology to incorporate non-fungible tokens (NFTs) as a fundamental component of gameplay. In these games, players can buy, sell, and trade NFTs both within and outside the game ecosystem.
NFT games often allow players to take ownership of their in-game assets, making it possible to earn real money while playing. In this guide, we review the best NFT games to play in 2024.
The Best NFT Games to Play Right Now
Our research found that the best NFT games available in the market today are those listed below:
- Matr1xFire – Cyperpunk first-person shooter for mobile players
- motoDex – Fast-paced racing game with over 1 million weekly players
- Alien Worlds – Galaxy-spanning P2E game with 9.5 million lifetime players
- Wreck League – Mech sports game featuring Bored Apes
- Axie Infinity – Pokemon-inspired NFT game.
- Decentraland – Buy and sell virtual land on the metaverse.
- PirateXPirate – Earn PXP tokens in a Pprate metaverse.
- The Sandbox – Invest in the future of P2E and metaverse gaming.
Top NFT Games Reviewed
Although there are tons of NFT video games in the market, some platforms stand out from the crowd – with unique features, excellent experience, and thriving community support.
As per our research, we will now discuss the overall best play to earn crypto games for 2024.
1. Matr1x Fire – Cyberpunk First Person Shooter NFT Game for Mobile
Matr1x Fire brings the fun of first-person shooting onto your mobile screen in this futuristic cyberpunk game aimed at fans of games like Call of Duty. Developed by Singapore-based company MATR1X, the game lets you compete against other players and earn NFTs in the process. It’s the first game in the Matr1X metaverse, with two more in development.
The game has 3 game modes:
- TeamMatch Mode: Join up with other players to defeat the enemy
- Competitive Mode: A more strategic gameplay with an economy system incorporated
- DeathMatch Mode: Everyone is on their own in this all-out warfare style mode
Players can earn in-game NFTs (avatars and weapons) to gain a competitive edge and platform-level NFTs that give the holders benefits such as governance voting rights and access to the other games in the Matr1x ecosystem. Avatar NFTs vary from basic to high-level Mythic NFTs, and weapons come in different ranges, too. Platform-level NFTs include You Are The Champion (YATC) and MATR1X Kuku NFTs that can be earned by top players in the game.
The game has already raised $20 million in funding and has over 400,000 monthly players. It’s available on Android and Apple phones.
2. Alien Words – Explore and Mine the Edge of Space Alongside 134,000 Players
Built on the WAX blockchain, this galaxy-spanning game allows players to explore and interact with virtual planets, mine resources, and compete in battles for control and rewards.
In Alien Worlds, players take on the role of “Prospectors” who traverse various alien planets, each with its own unique characteristics and resources. Through a process known as “mining,” players can extract the in-game token, Trilium (TLM), and Shards using tools and equipment within the game. Shards can be used to buy NFTs such as land, tools, minions, avatars, and weapons.
The game is free-to-play aspects, but expect to buy tools or NFTs if you want to level up quickly. Players can also stake their tokens to receive more TLM or even special NFTs. Staking missions have yields of 1% to 10%, depending on the mission chosen.
Alien World is governed by Syndicates – decentralized autonomous organizations run by players. Voting power is determined by the amount of TLM held.
3. Wreck League – AAA Mech Sports Game Featuring The BAYC NFT Collection
Newly launched Wreck League is a creation by nWay (Chronoblade) and Animoca Brands (The Sandbox). Wreck League features exciting real-time matches where you pit mechs against each other in intense player vs. player combats. Players can build their own NFT mechs, with 10 NFT parts used to create one mech NFT.
Players can disassemble their mechs at any time, giving them the option to rebuild or customize their mechs over time. Some constructors have even become famous across the game for their builds. Your roster of mechs can then take part in events and tournaments to rise up the league and win on-chain prizes.
The game has also partnered with Yuga Labs for its first season to incorporate four NFT collections: Bored Ape Yacht Club, Mutant Ape Yacht Club, Bored Ape Kennel Club, and Otherside Kodas.
To play, you’ll need to build a mech from NFT parts or buy a pre-built one from an NFT marketplace. NFT parts can be bought in different boxes on OpenSea.
4. motoDex – Addictive Motorcycle Fun With NFT Riders and Tracks
motoDex is an ideal web3 game for fans of fast-paced dodging games like Temple Run and Subway Surfers. Players take part in high-speed motorcycle races and can upgrade their riders and level up the tracks. You’ll need to watch out for hurdles like forklifts or fallen riders.
With fun tracks and vibrant character design, motoDex is an entertaining ride that also lets you earn in-game currency. Players can collect coins to unlock unique NFTs, such as new characters and tracks. These can be bought or sold, allowing you to profit from the game too. Players can also take on the role of track owner and profit from tournaments held on your race track.
Running on the Polygon, Near, and Aurora blockchains, its addictive gameplay has earned it the top spot on Web3 game rankings this month with over 6 million monthly players. The ability to level up your riders and upgrade your tracks through NFTs adds an extra level of strategy, too, and has helped it gain such a large following since its launch.
5. Axie Infinity – Pokemon-Inspired NFT Game
Axie Infinity is an Ethereum-based game that was launched in 2018. The game has a lot of parallels to the Pokemon series; however, with blockchain integration, the finished product offers more immersive experiences.
With Axie Infinity, players breed and collect NFT-based pets called Axies. The main purpose is to battle Axies against digital pets owned by other players. Upon winning games, players can earn Smooth Love Potion (SLP), the game’s native token that doubles as a functional cryptocurrency.
Each Axie NFT has its own genetic imprint – with strengths and weaknesses that are passed down to their offspring. And, of course, Axies can be traded on NFT marketplaces, and the price will depend on their rarity and core traits.
However, to start playing Axie Infinity, gamers will have to purchase three Axies. The NFT game also has a governance token, Axis Infinity Shards (AXS), which can be staked to earn rewards.
In fact, investors not interested in Axie Infinity’s play to earn games can simply buy AXS tokens instead – to gain exposure to this project. The AXS token can be purchased from popular cryptocurrency exchanges using a debit/credit card with low fees.
6. Decentraland – Buy and Sell Virtual Land
Decentraland is a virtual reality platform that allows players to build a 3D world in the metaverse. Land in Decentraland are available to purchase via an NFT. Once players buy a plot of land, they can develop it by building real estate, adding vegetation, farming on it, and more.
Moreover, on Decentraland, users can host events and concerts on their lands. Popular brands such as Estee Lauder, Dolce & Gabbana, Forever 21, and Selfridges have held virtual events in the Decentraland metaverse.
To get started with Decentraland, players need to buy MANA tokens. MANA tokens can be used to purchase Land NFTs and other in-world digital goods and services.
7. PirateXPirate – Earn PXP Tokens in a Pirate Metaverse
Next up on our list of the best NFT games is PirateXPirate. This is a brand new play-to-earn game that was founded in mid-2022. The PirateXPirate team is behind one of the most successful board games in South East Asia, which illustrates that the project knows how to bring a product to the mass market.
The PirateXPirate ecosystem is based on a pirate-themed game that enables players to earn real-world rewards in the form of PXP tokens. The project – which operates on top of the Binance Smart Chain, offers immersive gaming experiences within a metaverse setting. Although the game is still in its early stages of development, it is already live.
In its current form, PirateXPirate offers a PVP (Player vs Player) system. This means that players will need to enter battles on a peer-to-peer basis, with their chosen ship and crew. NFTs can also be earned within the PirateXPirate ecosystem, which enables players to build bigger and more powerful ships.
As a completely new play to earn games venture, PirateXPirate could be one of the best future cryptocurrency projects to keep an eye on. In fact, this is one of the best low-cap cryptocurrencies in the play to earn gaming space, with a valuation of under $1 million. As a result, the upside potential of this project could interest those in the market for the fastest-growing crypto.
8. The Sandbox – Invest in the Future of P2E and Metaverse Gaming
The Sandbox is a popular metaverse platform that shares much of this marketplace with Decentraland. However, unlike Decentraland, the Sandbox is still in its beta stage. This means that access to its metaverse world is somewhat limited. Players will need to obtain an Alpha Pass, which can be obtained in a number of ways – including through random lottery draws.
With that being said, the Sandbox has already attracted some significant interest from public figures. At the forefront of this is Snoop Dogg, who has purchased virtual land within the Sandbox and proceeded to build a mansion. Snoop Dogg is planning to offer immersive virtual music experiences from his virtual mansion, which is in conjunction with an NFT collection.
The Sandbox will not only offer some of the best NFT games in this space, but it also allows third-party developers to create and launch their own titles. Those looking to invest in the future of the Sandbox have two core options. The easiest way is to buy SAND tokens, which back the Sandbox ecosystem.
As per the crypto bear market, SAND is now trading at a huge discount from its prior all-time high. The second option is to buy a virtual plot of land within the Sandbox. Prices will vary considerably, so research is important. For example, land situated close to Snoop Dogg’s mansion trades at a huge premium. This concept is not too dissimilar to conventional real estate markets.
Learn more about how to invest in the metaverse in our beginner’s guide here.
What are NFT Games?
Blockchain technology has helped develop a new breed of games — popularly classified as ‘play to earn‘ or P2E. In simple terms, this phenomenon allows players to take real ownership of their in-game assets — which come in the form of NFTs.
When engaging with NFT games, players can own accessories or tools, such as avatars, weapons, characters, and even virtual land in the metaverse. Due to the nature of non-fungible tokens, each asset will be distinguishable and tamper-proof.
Furthermore, NFT-backed gaming ownership means that players can buy, sell, and trade their earned items. This is in stark contrast to how traditional gaming titles work.
For instance, while the likes of Call of Duty and FIFA enable players to purchase in-game assets, nothing is actually owned by the player. Most importantly, NFT games allow players to earn real-world rewards, paid in the native digital currency of the project.
How do NFT Games Work?
NFT games can outwardly look like regular video games, but there’s a twist. Instead of just playing with items that belong to the game, like characters or weapons, in NFT games, these items are like the player’s own collectibles. Each one is unique and can’t be copied, just like a real-life collector’s item. When a player owns an NFT in a game, it’s theirs to keep, trade, or sell as they please.
When playing an NFT game, you can buy, sell, or trade these NFT assets with other players. Since all trades are stored on the blockchain, no one can cheat or fake ownership. Plus, because these items have real value, some players even make money by playing NFT games and trading their valuable items for cryptocurrency. For many NFT game players, it’s not just about having fun—it’s also about owning and investing in digital assets.
Advantages of Playing NFT Games
When compared to conventional gaming consoles, NFT games offer a full wealth of advantages and benefits.
We explore this in more detail in the sections below:
Suitable for All Budgets
First and foremost, NFT games are designed in such a way that people from all walks of life can gain access. At one end of the spectrum, players on a budget can often play their chosen NFT game without actually spending or risking any money.
On the contrary, there are many free play to earn crypto games for 2024 – and even more lined up in the coming months. And, the more time dedicated to the game, the more rewards the player can earn.
There will also be players who are happy to allocate money to their chosen play to earn the game. For example, the player might wish to give themselves the best chance possible of progressing through the game by purchasing a weapon upgrade, which is backed by an NFT.
In-Game Cryptocurrencies
NFT games feature cryptocurrencies native to the project. In-game cryptocurrencies are typically utilized to reward players. For example, when engaging with the Memebet Token, investors can win NFTs as a reward.
Memebet Token will launch ‘lootboxes’, which will be awarded to the highest $MEMEBET token wagerers on the ecosystem. Among the rewards on the loot boxes will include exclusive NFTs.
Future Growth Potential is Huge
It goes without saying that the future growth potential of the NFT gaming space is significant. From an investment perspective, the underlying crypto asset that backs the NFT game will have real-world value. Its value will be determined by demand and supply.
As such, the value of the play to earn cryptocurrency could increase as the project becomes more popular. For example, those investing in MANA – which backs the Decentraland metaverse, have witnessed gains of over 2,000% since it was launched.
Axie Infinity has performed even better, with peak gains of over 100,000% at one point. This is why new cryptocurrency projects in the NFT gaming space — such as Memebet Token and Hypeloot — are increasingly becoming popular with value investors.
Immutability
When a conventional video game shuts down, players will typically lose any privileges associated with in-game purchases.
NFTs, on the other hand, exist independently on the blockchain. As such, in-game NFTs can be purchased and sold regardless of what happens to the game.
And there is even a chance that the absence of the game might make the NFT question more attractive in the secondary market — which could drive up demand.
What’s more, new games can also be designed that could integrate the existing NFTs. Ultimately, the possibilities of NFT gaming ecosystems are endless.
Methodology – How We Ranked the Best NFT Games
Before beginning our testing process, the Cryptonews team conducted thorough research to identify a diverse range of NFT games across various genres and platforms. We considered factors such as popularity, innovation, and community engagement to ensure a comprehensive selection. After identifying five key factors, we assigned a weighting of 20% to each one, allowing us to rank the games we reviewed according to our satisfaction with each metric.
1. Gameplay Experience – 20%
Each NFT game was evaluated based on its gameplay mechanics, user interface, and overall player experience. We spent significant time immersing ourselves in the virtual worlds of these games, exploring their features, completing objectives, and interacting with other players.
2. NFT Integration – 20%
A key aspect of our testing involved assessing how effectively NFTs were integrated into the gameplay and economy of each game. We examined the diversity and uniqueness of the NFTs available, as well as their impact on progression, customization options, and in-game transactions.
3. Community Engagement – 20%
We also considered the level of community engagement surrounding each NFT game, including the size and activity of its player base, as well as the developer’s responsiveness to feedback and updates. Community-driven features such as tournaments, events, and social interactions were taken into account.
4. Security and Reliability – 20%
Security and reliability are paramount in the world of NFT games, given the value of digital assets involved. We assessed the integrity of each game’s blockchain infrastructure, as well as its track record regarding security breaches, hacks, and data protection measures.
5. Long-Term Viability – 20%
Finally, we evaluated the long-term viability of each NFT game, considering factors such as ongoing development support, sustainability of the player-driven economy, and potential for future growth and innovation.
Can You Play NFT Games on iPhone and Android?
Mobile gaming is now a huge, multi-billion dollar industry that is expected to grow year on year. As a result, many players will specifically seek mobile NFT games as well as the best NFT apps.
With that being said, many NFT games in this space currently only offer access to the platform online, via a standard web browser.
Nonetheless, some of the best new NFT games discussed on this page are building a mobile app for both iOS and Android, so expect more releases in the coming months.
Top NFT Games and Platform Compatibility
| Game | Available on iOS | Available on Android |
| Matr1xFire | Yes | Yes |
| motoDex | Yes | Yes |
| Alien Worlds | No | No |
| Wreck League | No | No |
| Axie Infinity | Yes | Yes |
| Decentraland | Yes | Yes |
| PirateXPirate | No | No |
| The Sandbox | Yes | Yes |
Conclusion
Play to earn games enable players to earn money by doing something they enjoy. Given the popularity of NFT games, more developers are adding innovative features to their ecosystems, subsequently allowing players to earn real-world rewards.
FAQs
What is an NFT game?
An NFT game is a gaming title that operates on the blockchain. Throughout gameplay, players can earn real-world rewards, both in the case of NFTs and crypto tokens. The former enables players to own the in-game assets that they earn or buy, such as a weapon or avatar. The latter rewards players for engaging with the game in the project’s native token.
What are some examples of NFT games?
Some of the most popular NFT games to date include Axie Infinity, Decentraland, and the Sandbox.
Are there any free NFT games?
Yes, there are many free NFT games in this market. Players simply need to connect their crypto wallet to the platform before playing games to win rewards. However, do note that the most successful players in the NFT gaming space typically make in-game purchases. This isn’t, however, compulsory.
Can you earn real money playing NFT games?
Yes, the overarching concept of playing NFT games is that players can win real-world rewards. In the vast majority of cases, NFT games distribute rewards in their own native token. The tokens can then be sold for other digital assets like Tether before cashing out to fiat money.
What are the best Ubisoft NFT games?
Established gaming developer Ubisoft recently entered the NFT marketplace via its popular Ghost Recon Breakpoint franchise. However, the developer has since announced that it is winding down its exposure to NFTs – with the venture failing to attract any notable traction.
References
- NFTs incoming: Matr1x doubles funding to $20M ahead of its debut Web3 mobile launch (pocketgamer.biz)
- What are DAOs? (The New York Times)
- Top Blockchain Games (dAppRadar)
Michael Graw 
Eric Huffman 
Eliman Dambell 