Since its soft launch in April 2023, NFL Rivals has become one of the best-known and best-loved games in the web3 genre, racking up an impressive six million downloads across Apple and Android. Hang around till the end of this article and you’ll understand why.

Officially licensed by the National Football League, the free-to-play, arcade-style mobile game invites you to “own your dream team and guide your superstars to the end zone” as the ultimate NFL General Manager. Combining strategy, collectibility, fast-paced gameplay, and provable asset ownership, Mythical Games’ flagship release is a natural onramp for football fanatics contemplating dipping their toes into the world of web3.

Building Your Roster

Running on the gaming-centric Mythos Chain, which is notable for its speed, security, and cross-chain compatibility, NFL Rivals empowers players to assemble a roster by unlocking and upgrading digital cards of their favorite gridiron superstars – each categorized according to their stats (some are NFTs, others not).

The objective, of course, is to assemble the best possible squad; one that’ll secure you the Vince Lombardi Trophy come the end of the season. Do your job well and your lineup will be more than capable of outplaying opponents in quick, offense-focused matches where you tap to run plays and score. Make poor choices and you’ll be left pounding sand.

Whether you’re facing AI in showdowns, tackling scenario-based challenges for rewards, or battling in player vs. player matchups, the gameplay emphasizes speed and strategy: button-bashers won’t last long here. Limited-time events and leagues, meanwhile, present opportunities to uncover packs containing higher-rated players, the sort that can inject necessary quality into your team. 

In addition, players can join squads, join forces with other GMs, and ascend the leaderboard to acquire in-game rewards, adding a compelling and competitive social twist. It’s a dynamic mix of card collecting and arcade-style NFL action whose appeal is easy to fathom. Incidentally, newbies will appreciate NFL Rivals’ interactive tutorials which get you up to speed in no time.

Owning the Field with Web3

The economy of NFL Rivals relies on Mythos (MYTH) tokens, which are used to buy, sell, and trade cards on the game’s in-built secondary marketplace. This setup – a hallmark of web3 – enables players to truly own their assets: when they’re in your wallet, they’re yours until you opt to sell up. As well as enabling players to cash in on their high-value cards, the marketplace is useful for fine-tuning your roster at important moments in the season.

As for the game’s fast-paced mechanics, it’s fair to say they deliver a fun, accessible experience. NFL Rivals isn’t exactly Madden but it’s not trying to be; its mix of NFL authenticity, arcade-style thrills, and blockchain-based ownership means it blazes its own trail. 

While card trading requires MYTH tokens, the free-to-play model and friendly tutorials lower the entry barrier. If you’re in search of a strategic, high-energy NFL game featuring NFTs and rewards, this one’s definitely worth a spin. Lace up your cleats and hit the field!