If you’re an NFL fan who enjoys quick, casual gaming on the go, NFL Rivals by Mythical Games might catch your attention. Launched in 2023, it’s Mythical’s first crypto-based mobile game, available as a free download on both iOS and Android devices. With over 6 million downloads already, it’s clearly struck a chord with football fans.
Mythical Games has significant financial backing, raising over $290 million since 2018 from high-profile investors including Andreessen Horowitz, Animoca Brands, ARK Invest, and NBA legend Michael Jordan. They are also working on an officially licensed FIFA Rivals game.
Gameplay Mechanics: Quick and Simple
Gameplay in NFL Rivals resembles the popular “Ultimate Team” modes from games like Madden or FIFA, where players build and manage teams using digital player cards. Matches are intentionally short—just a couple of minutes—making the game perfect for quick gaming sessions.
When you’re on offense, you control your quarterback through straightforward swipe mechanics to pass or hand off the ball. The swipe controls, which slow down time slightly, feel intuitive quickly, allowing even new players to comfortably compete. Defense, however, is automated, displayed as quick play summaries, which some players may find less engaging.
Blockchain and NFT Integration
A major attraction of NFL Rivals is its use of blockchain and NFTs. Limited-edition player cards are minted as NFTs on Mythical Games’ Mythos blockchain, allowing trading via the Mythical Market using the MYTHOS token. These cards range from extremely affordable—just a few cents—to thousands of dollars for rare or sought-after players.
Financially, NFL Rivals sees consistent activity. According to CryptoSlam, monthly NFT sales regularly surpass half a million dollars, with tens of thousands of unique transactions each month. In recent months, average sales ranged from about $4 to $40 per card, with monthly total revenue typically ranging between $500,000 to over $1 million. Last month alone, the game earned over $200,000 just from the iOS App Store.
Live and Daily Events
Mythical Games updates NFL Rivals regularly with both live events tied directly to real-world NFL moments and daily challenges. For instance, during major events like the Super Bowl, players can participate in special challenges linked to real-game scenarios and wager in-game items such as coins and gems on outcomes like the coin toss or final scores. These events often coincide with new limited-edition NFT player card releases.
Daily events and shorter challenges also provide consistent engagement, allowing players to regularly earn rewards without needing to invest heavily.
Game Economy and Marketplace Activity
While NFTs and blockchain are prominent, NFL Rivals doesn’t aggressively push them on casual players. It’s entirely possible—and enjoyable—to play without investing money. Players can earn new cards by simply playing regularly, completing challenges, or leveling up. Although these free packs usually offer lower-tier players, casual gamers can still enjoy the game without significant investment.
However, don’t expect easy profits; earning meaningful returns on your investment requires significant financial input and dedicated attention to market trends.
The Review
NFL Rivals
Overall, NFL Rivals successfully combines accessible football gameplay with blockchain technology, making it appealing for NFL fans and casual gamers alike who are intrigued by digital collectibles. Players should, however, consider the limitations typical of free-to-play games and the financial commitment required to excel competitively. If you enjoy casual mobile gaming and NFL excitement with optional NFT collecting, NFL Rivals is worth checking out.
PROS
- Easy and intuitive gameplay
- Regular events and daily challenges
- Active marketplace for NFT trading
- Accessible free-to-play model
CONS
- Gameplay can feel repetitive over time
- Progression can become grindy
- Significant investment required for meaningful returns
