Crypto Games Guide – Find the Best Crypto Games in 2024

Crypto gaming has seen a steady upward trajectory over the past few years. This is despite the crypto bear market throughout the last months of 2021 and the majority of 2022.

Both retail and institutional investing within the industry have hit impressive figures. In the past year, we have seen crypto gaming transition drastically in terms of notoriety and quality. Games are hitting mainstream audiences, and traditional gaming companies have caught onto the top Web3 projects in 2023.

If you are reading this article, you may be wondering what crypto games are, how crypto games work, and whether or not it is worth investing in crypto games yourself.

Read on below to have your questions answered. Hopefully, by the end of this article, you will feel more confident in the world of blockchain gaming in 2024!

Explained All Genres Top Mobile Games Top Desktop Games Other Crypto Games Getting Started Crypto Games Reviews

What are Crypto Games?

The first step is to understand what crypto games actually are. Games based on crypto may seem daunting at first, but the fundamentals that drive them are fairly similar to traditional gaming.

Like normal digital games, crypto games are available on multiple platforms. These include PCs and mobile devices. We have also seen crypto games make it onto consoles, with the likes of Microsoft and Sony now jumping onto the blockchain.

How do Crypto Games work?

Play to earn crypto games play similarly to the games we have all grown up playing. There are some, though. The main model that drives web3 games is “Play-To-Earn” (P2Eto Having this integrated into a game allows gamers to earn cryptocurrency whilst playing. After this, players can sell the tokens, swap them, or use them within the game.

NFTs also play a big part in crypto games. They can be used to enhance the gameplay or bring real-world value and use. NFTs in crypto games are acquired through crypto airdrops, the secondary market, or by playing the game. Again, they can be sold for money, similar to crypto.

Game developers are able to build their Web3 game projects on different blockchains. Some popular gaming blockchains include:

Binance (BNB)
Ethereum ($ETH)
Avalanche ($AVAX)
Polygon ($MATIC)
Solana ($SOL)

Are they legit?

Games based on crypto are definitely legit. 2022 was the year that esports became a huge thing for crypto games. Investors pumped large amounts of money into tournaments, taking them global and inviting new audiences to witness them.

Until 2023, we have seen little legislation in Web3. This has created room for fraudulent behavior. Rug pulls were unfortunately a common occurrence. These would leave investors out of pocket while the teams behind the games came out on top.

We have seen crypto scam projects pulled from the grave. Developers band together to revitalize a project, giving investors hope.

Overall, though, it is noted that crypto games are legit. Always do your research on a project and use fundamental analysis. As we mentioned earlier, Microsoft and Sony are part of the action now.

Crypto Game Genres

Like normal gaming, there are a wide variety of genres currently on the blockchain. Gaming in Web3 has allowed new genres to develop further, such as Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR), utilizing the headset.

More common game genres played in crypto games are:

Shooters
Puzzle
Trading Card Games
Action/Adventure
Sandbox Builder
City Builders
Breeding

Are Crypto Games Worth it?

When putting P2E NFT into the equation with crypto gaming, it leaves people wondering if games based on crypto are worth playing.

It is argued that they are worth playing for a number of reasons. You are able to earn money from playing games and being active within the ecosystem. Furthermore, early investors in gaming tokens can earn potentially huge returns on their investments.

Esports in crypto gaming is also becoming incredibly popular. With most games still being new, it is easier for players to prove their skills in competitive matches to then go onto perform in actual tournaments and LAN events to earn prizes and medals.

In 2022 alone, Web3 gaming has been valued at $4.6 billion and is set to grow to $65.7
billion in 2027. Much like the internet back in the 1990s, crypto gaming is a new industry with an upward forecast. In this instance, early investors could turn over profits, making it worthwhile.

With the potential for monetary gain, we are still in the early phases of crypto gaming. It is best to research not only the projects but also the fundamentals of what Web3 is. From there, you will understand more about whether a crypto gaming project is worth the investment.

Top Crypto Games to Try

By now, there is a vast catalog of play to earn crypto games to try. They cover multiple platforms too, giving full accessibility to gamers. Some require a certain level of knowledge to access, while others can be started at the click of a button.

Top 3 crypto mobile games

Mobile gaming is a popular choice for iOS crypto game developers. There are 2.6 billion gamers on mobile, making it a great opportunity for projects to gain traction.

Axie Infinity

Axie Infinity is another incredibly popular game on the blockchain. Another breeding title where players collect NFT characters and put them to the test against other players’ characters.

This game has become incredibly popular in the crypto esports space, with regular tournaments held both online and offline.

@ Axie Infinity

Crazy Snakes

Crazy Snakes pays homage to the retro mobile game Snake from the late 90s and early 2000s. Collect and breed NFT snakes and use them in a range of game modes in online gameplay.

While many NFT games require an upfront fee to play, you can easily jump in and play for free to try it out!

@ Crazy Snake

Crypto Kitties

CryptoKitties has grown into one of the most popular crypto games on mobile. It is deemed one of the earliest crypto games released. Players collect NFT characters of cats and breed them within the game for rewards.

It currently has 137,389 active wallets playing and 2,022,582 NFT kitties minted.

@ Crypto Kitties

Top 3 desktop crypto games

Crypto gaming is also popular on the desktop. Games have developed dramatically on this platform, with development teams using Unreal Engine 5 to create games offering a more cinematic experience for gamers.

The Sandbox

The Sandbox is an open world sandbox builder game. Players can enter different experiences from world renowned brands to earn prizes and NFTs. This has grown to be incredibly popular due to its easy access and recognizable names.

Some names already in The Sandbox metaverse include Snoop Dogg, Adidas and Gordan Ramsay!

@ The Sandbox

Gods Unchained

Gods Unchained is run by Chris Clay, a prominent figure in gaming who worked on Magic: The Gathering. It follows a similar playstyle to Hearthstone and is considered to be one of the first multiplayer blockchain games.

Players buy and trade NFT card games that are released in sets. Battling it out with other players for prizes and leaderboard bragging rights.

@ Gods Unchained

Blankos Block Party

Blankos Block Party is another easy access PC crypto game. Brought to us by Mythical Games, Blankos was the first game based on crypto to be listed on the Epic Games Store.

If you are a fan of Fall Guys and party mode games, this is a must try for you! Brands such as Burberry and Amazon Prime Gaming have released special NFT collaborations with Blankos.

@ Blankos Block Party

Other Crypto Games to Try

Some other honorable mentions from us include:

Phantom Galaxies
EV.io
Illuvium
Decentraland
MR4
Star Atlas

If you are unfamiliar with any of these crypto games, then be sure to read further down the page, as we will list our comprehensive crypto game review list.

Are Crypto Games Dead?

Now too many reading at home, play to earn crypto games could be dead. Throughout the whole of 2022, we saw a bear market for not only gaming cryptocurrencies but also NFTs and the prospects of the metaverse.

While the headlines were showing dread and discomfort along with coin prices, the industry was far from dead! Crypto gaming was on the rise in 2022 and has steadily carried on into 2023. Will the momentum remain in 2024?

Nobody is fully certain; however, there are signs it will. Big brands are jumping into gaming, which means funding and more audience growth follow. Games that were originally released in their trial phases will also be released. These include The Sandbox, Star Atlas, and Phantom Galaxies.

So be sure to be in it for the long run with crypto gaming. If you see how much the internet and Web2 developed in a short period of time, imagine the potential Web3 and crypto gaming have!

Getting Started

Getting started with play to earn crypto gaming has never been easier. Some games require a certain level of knowledge to be accessible.

In this instance, you will need a non-custodial crypto gaming wallet like MetaMask, Coinbase Wallet, or Exodus. This will be linked to the crypto game you want to play. Any assets, such as gaming crypto NFTs or tokens, can be withdrawn to the wallet’s address.

Other games just require you to make a login on their site, and then you can join in on the fun. Games, as mentioned above, are available on mobile and now on consoles, depending on how you want to play crypto games.

If you are looking to play crypto games for free, you are in luck, as many do not require any up-front investment. Historically, to play crypto games, players would buy NFTs to earn in-game rewards and level up with them. As time has gone on, there are now NFT rental services, which cut out the cost for those who are looking to just try out a game.

Generally, though, getting started with blockchain gaming is fairly simple. If you are unsure about anything, there are plenty of other resources beyond this article that can assist you.

FAQ

Can I earn crypto by playing games?

Yes, you can absolutely earn crypto by playing games. Specifically, playing “Play-To-Earn” games or crypto games opens up doors to earning crypto and NFT-based items in your game. Depending on the title you play and how you go about playing it, it will determine how much you earn.

So, of course, it is best to do research on a game to understand how you go about yielding the maximum amount of rewards. Games based on crypto during lockdown turned into full-time incomes for some people in the world.

Are there any good crypto games?

There are some amazing crypto games to try. Many are still under development, such as The Sandbox and EV.io; however, this has not stopped fans from having loads of fun on them.

The best way to see if a crypto game is actually good, other than, of course, playing it, is to learn about the community, the point of the game, and whether or not the development team is actively pushing out updates and PR.

Are crypto games legit?

Yes, they are legit. Some are not, though, so it is best to do research. If you are still unsure, then we feel the best way to work out if a game is legit or not is by researching the actual development team.

If they are recognizable people or there is a recognizable brand behind a project, then it will be legit, and you will be good to play it. If a game’s team is anonymous, then it could mean trouble. Be sure to check out their social media accounts as well. If a crypto game has an odd engagement rate compared to their follower count, we suggest staying away.

Just stick with what you already know about gaming, and you will be good. Of course, if you are feeling risky, then by all means go for the more low-key games. They could send you to prison after all!