- What are Play To Earn Games?
- Best Play to Earn Crypto Games
- Best Play to Earn NFTs Games
When it comes to traditional gaming, the only way to earn is by going pro. Start Twitch streaming, enter pro tournaments, or sign up for an e-sports brand. It’s hard, but it is where the big bucks are.
That’s where blockchain gaming comes in. Diving into this new industry, players can earn rewards by doing something as simple as jogging.
Blockchain games are more popular as Play To Earn games or P2E, and they reward the player with cryptocurrency or Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs).
Most P2E games are free to play. But some do require an initial investment where you either have to buy a crypto coin or an NFT of that game’s blockchain.
We’ve listed 16 of the best play to earn games here. The list is a two-parter. First, we’ll list the best crypto games. And if you’re more interested in earning NFTs, skip to the second list.
We strongly recommend you start with free to play games and only move to paid ones after you get the hang of it.
9 Best Play To Earn Crypto Games
1. Thetan Arena
- Genre: MOBA
- Platform: Windows Launcher, iOS, Android
- Blockchain: BNB
- Free To Play: Yes
- Reward: THC
Thetan Arena was a groundbreaking P2E game. It was the first crypto game in the MOBA genre, and it’s also one of the first that brought co-op gameplay in blockchain gaming. Players can form teams of 3 to enjoy Battle Royale, Tower Siege, or Deathmatch mode.
With 25 million players, Thetan Arena is one of the best play-to-earn crypto games. It broke into the Top 10 in 2021 and has been climbing the ratings ever since. The game also has over 10 million downloads on Google Play with a 4.1 average rating.
2. Summoners Arena
- Genre: idle-RPG
- Platform: iOS, Android
- Blockchain: BSC
- Free To Play: No
- Reward: SAE
This game of heroes in mythical lands is based on Summoners Era. Summoners Arena moves on from the world of Web2 by integrating blockchain and improving gameplay.
Players collect and upgrade heroes who are then put to test in Campaign & Dungeons (PvE) mode or Battleground and Arena (PvP) mode.
What’s exciting is the game’s roadmap. A PC version is in the works, new gameplay modes have already been announced, and the devs have major plans for the SAE ecosystem.
For a game that already has over 1.7 million downloads on App Store and Google Play, Summoners Arena is just getting started.
3. Soccerverse
- Genre: Management
- Platform: Web Game
- Blockchain: Xaya
- Free To Play: Yes
- Reward: SMC
If you like Soccer, you just have to play Soccerverse. Previously known as Soccer Manager Elite, Soccerverse is basically Football Manager injected with blockchain. Players can be Club Shareholders, Player Shareholders, Player Agents, or Club Managers. And depending on the role you choose, your rewards will vary.
All of this is part of one Elite Championship of 300 clubs and 15 different leagues.
There’s one small problem though. Soccer Manager Elite is still a Beta. But it’s still the best Soccer Management P2E game available right now.
4. Riot Racers
- Genre: Racing
- Platform: Web Game
- Blockchain: Polygon
- Free To Play: Yes
- Reward: RIOT
Riot Racers is a racing simulation where players control everything except for actually driving the car. Drivers, cars, and weather conditions are the 3 primary catalysts of Riot Racers. Players get to pair up cars and drivers and decide the racing strategy but have to watch the action from the sidelines.
Winners get crypto, losers go back empty-handed.
But there are other ways to earn in Riot Racers too. Asset NFTs like Gas Stations, Mechanic Shops, and Racetrack Lands can bring in RIOT tokens as other players rent your assets.
You will need a crypto wallet to get started. Go for Meta Mask.
5. REVV Racing
- Genre: Racing
- Platform: Web Game
- Blockchain: Polygon
- Free To Play: No
- Reward: REVV
The latest offering from REVV Motorsport, REVV Racing is an arcade car racing crypto and NFT game. Players earn the REVV tokens and every asset you obtain becomes an NFT.
It’s a 2-in-1 game P2E game, and no wonder it requires an initial investment. You’ll need a Meta Mask wallet to create your REVV account. Then you’ll need to buy some MATIC and REVV tokens. And finally, a car from OpenSea (NFT) to get started.
3D environments, multiple POV choices, and controller/keyboard controls make REVV Racing one of the best crypto games of the sim racing genre.
6. Nine Chronicles
- Genre: MMORPG
- Platform: Web Game
- Blockchain: Libplanet
- Free To Play: Yes
- Reward: NCG
The Nine Chronicles is a decentralized RPG where players control and power everything. It’s open-source and infinitely moddable. Players can earn NFTs and WNCG tokens by Crafting and Trading, exploring Dungeons, and facing off against other players in the Arena.
And the only thing you need to get started is a Twitter account. Once you sign in with Twitter, you’ll receive an invitation code. Use that code to set up the game and start earning NFTs and crypto in real-time.
The easiest way is to craft new items and trade them on the marketplace in return for NCG tokens.
7. ev.io
- Genre: First-Person Shooter
- Platform: Web Game
- Blockchain: Solana
- Free To Play: Yes
- Reward: SOL
This free-to-play P2E game is the best FPS on Web3 right now. If you ever played Quake 3 Arena, ev.io will bring back the nostalgia while putting money in your crypto wallet.
This FPS has 6 gameplay modes. Players can try their luck in Deathmatch, Survival, and Team Deathmatch or go solo with Battle Royale. There’s also Mayhem and Capture the Flag. Battle Royale and Deathmatch are fun, but Capture the Flag is the most rewarding mode.
ev.io has the most simplified economy. With every kill or every game win players win ‘e’ tokens. These can be exchanged for real money or for SOL, the crypto coin. 10,000 e = $5.
8. Axie Infinity
- Genre: Strategy
- Platform: PC, iOS, Android
- Blockchain: Ronin
- Free To Play: No
- Reward: AXS
With 2.8 million daily active players and over $3.6 billion worth of in-game exchanges, Axie Infinity is one of the most popular play to earn games till date. It’s the Pokemon alternative for blockchain gaming.
Players collect, breed, and raise unique creatures called Axies. While exploring the World of Lunacia, players can interact with one another and have Axies battles.
There are PvE and PvP modes. PvE puts the player in adventure mode, where you eventually face off against a “Boss” after fighting some minions. The real fun is in PvP, where you battle it out with real players who have upgraded their Axies.
9. Arc8
- Genre: Arcade
- Platform: iOS & Android
- Blockchain: Ethereum
- Free To Play: Yes
- Reward: GMEE
Over 6 billion games have been played in the Arc8 App so far.
Arc8 is an arcade simulation that has 10 different mini-games for players to test their skills and try their luck. The games include puzzles, card games, action, and other arcade games. Players can join Tournaments or play 1v1 challenges.
Playing and winning tournaments mean bigger pots and higher Credits for in-game shopping.
The highlight has to be the no-ads policy. Whether you play on iOS or Android, Arc8 is an interruption-free experience. The 4.2 rating and over 1 million downloads on Google Play should be proof enough.
7 Best Play To Earn NFT Games
1. Lost Relics
- Genre: RPG
- Platform: Web Game
- Blockchain: Enjin
- Free To Play: Yes
Previously known as Forgotten Artifacts, Lost Relics is the only NFT game in the Action RPG genre. As players explore the deepest and darkest dungeons, they can collect Gold, Cosmetics, Relics, and NFTs.
And since everything is in limited supply, every collectible is virtually an NFT.
If you fail to escape a dungeon with your loot, everything gets destroyed, making everything far more valuable and rarer.
Just to give you a tease, the Mythical Inferno Blade is a rare relic/NFT in Lost Relics and it trades for $600 and above.
Neon District
- Genre: RPG (turn-based)
- Platform: Web Game
- Blockchain: Polygon
- Free To Play: Yes
Neon District is one of the best free NFT Games that lets you earn and then trade NFTs straight to OpenSea.
Set in a dystopian cyberpunk-style future, Neon District is a turn-based RPG where players need to deliver pizzas to earn the in-game currency Neon.
There are 2 game modes. You can either be the good guy and deliver your own pizzas on time. Or be the saboteur and ambush others trying to deliver pizzas and loot their Neon.
After you earn Neon, you can use it to upgrade your character armor, cosmetics, weapons, and more. And these upgrades are NFTs that you can trade on the OpenSea.
Mini Royale: Nations
- Genre: First-Person Shooter
- Platform: Web Game
- Blockchain: Solana
- Free To Play: Yes
There are too few FPS play to earn games in the first place and the number further trickles down when you look for NFT games of the FPS genre. But the blockchain gamers finally got their wish with Mini Royale: Nations.
This First-Person Shooter gives off major Fortnite vibes from the game menu to the actual gameplay. Some might even call it a rip-off, but that doesn’t affect the 2 million players already firing it up.
There are 4 gameplay modes; Battle Royale, Team Deathmatch, Capture the Flag and Search and Destroy.
Players can collect armor and weapon skins as NFTs, but the devs will soon be integrating crypto coins and expanding the NFT scene.
Blankos Block Party
- Genre: Action, Adventure
- Platform: Web Game
- Blockchain: EOSIO
- Free To Play: Yes
Blankos Block Party is blockchain’s answer to Roblox and a pretty good one in that.
The setting isn’t that exciting. Players get to roam around in an open world and enter user-made events and mini-games. And of course, you can also create your own things.
The best part is scouring the open world for vinyl toys called Blankos. And you guessed it, these Blankos are NFTs.
By enjoying more experiences and winning various games, you can earn in-game currency and use that to upgrade and customize your Blankos, increasing their value and then selling them for real cash.
Meda Wars
- Genre: RPG (turn-based)
- Platform: iOS, Android
- Blockchain: Polygon
- Free To Play: Yes
Meda Wars is a turn-based strategy game only available for mobiles. It was released in September 2022 and is still relatively undiscovered. All the more reason to get in on the act before others and expand your NFT collection.
The gameplay is pretty simple. Players can craft weapons and upgrade their heroes to take on the adventures of Conquer Mode. Winners are rewarded with more in-game resources which can be used to craft NFTs. And losers get to go again.
It’s far from perfect but it has plenty of upcoming features. From PvP Tournaments to VR, Cryptomeda has big plans for Meda Wars.
Skyweaver
- Genre: Casual (Trading Cards)
- Platform: PC, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android
- Blockchain: Polygon
- Free To Play: Yes
Skyweaver is one of the few free NFT games that’s compatible with every major platform apart from the Sony and Microsoft consoles.
This trading card game is one of the first AAA blockchain games, laying the groundwork for others to take the leap and invest big.
Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian managed to raise $3.75 million in funding for this free-to-play NFT game. And the gameplay, economics, and Polygon integration show the funding was put to good use.
But there’s something different about this NFT game. It’s not play to earn, instead, you actually have to win to get any tradeable NFT cards.
Upland
- Genre: Strategy
- Platform: PC, iOS, Android
- Blockchain: EOS.IO
- Free To Play: Yes
Upland turns you into a virtual real-estate agent where you can buy, sell, or build on real estate mapped after the real world. Players become digital landowners and that land appreciates or depreciates in value.
There’s also the option of building on this digital real estate. The land and property you buy and build will be your NFTs. And once you dispose of your land, you earn UPX coins and turn them into real cash.
Right now, Upland has virtually mapped 13 cities from the USA which are being traded between 100,000 real estate agents from around the world.
So, how about getting a metaverse plot in San Francisco?
These are the 16 best play to earn games in the blockchain scene right now. With enough time and effort, and some luck, you can make plenty of money playing these crypto games.
Although most of the games we’ve listed are free to play, you will have to spend some real money at some point. So, set up a good wallet and do as much research as you can before you dive into blockchain gaming.