NFT Games 2026: What Happened to Axie Infinity and CryptoKitties?

NFT games are blockchain games that allow ownership and profit from unique virtual items. After the 2021 boom with Axie Infinity generating income in the Philippines, the market crashed in 2022-2023. In 2026, NFT games like Axie and Illuvium remain active but with lower volumes and realistic expectations.

What Are NFT Games?

NFTs, although commonly associated directly with artworks, are actually related to a much broader range of items. NFTs are non-fungible tokens, meaning they represent items that cannot be replaced or reproduced, only transferred. However, these items do not “born” as non-fungible or non-replaceable, but become so when registered through a code within the Blockchain network.

NFT games are specifically designed to operate within this environment, and each title has a different dynamic regarding earnings. In all cases, however, these games are classified as “play-to-earn” games. The way to profit from these games ranges from mining cryptocurrencies within the game to trading characters, as in Axie Infinity, which we will discuss further.

In this example, the game characters are NFTs, registered on the Blockchain and therefore unique and non-replaceable, and can be traded between users. This true property distinguishes NFT games from traditional games where items remain the property of the developer and can be deleted or devalued without compensation to players.

How Do NFT Games Work?

As mentioned, each NFT game has its own dynamics regarding the profit potential it can generate, and the goal to be achieved within each game to obtain this gain also varies according to each game’s premise. Consequently, users find games with various storylines, such as those using characters to mine cryptocurrencies within the game or even games that host competitions among users.

To start playing, the user must create an account in a digital wallet such as MetaMask, one of the most popular in the market, connect it to the blockchain network used by the game, purchase the network’s cryptocurrency, such as Ethereum, and exchange the currency for the desired game token. This technical process creates a barrier to entry for many players accustomed to traditional games where simply downloading and starting to play is enough.

However, it is worth noting that most games have a minimum withdrawal limit for the accumulated amount, even if there is no mandatory participation time. This means you can accumulate rewards but only convert them into real money after reaching a certain minimum value.

Is Investment Necessary to Play?

Generally, at the start, the user needs to acquire a specific amount of NFT items, which varies depending on each game. This initial investment occurs because, typically, as transactions during the game are made in cryptocurrencies, initial transactions will also need to be in this form.

If the game in question is new or little known, this investment may be smaller, as the in-game crypto may not yet be highly valued. But it is also important to keep in mind that, for the same reason, there is greater uncertainty about the asset’s appreciation over time.

Currently, with the popularization of the play-to-earn model, it is most likely that new users target games that are already well-known and have yielded profits for early players. In these cases, a higher initial investment will be necessary because the cryptocurrencies of the most famous games, such as AXS from Axie Infinity, appreciated in the past—although many have plummeted since then.

And, of course, this does not eliminate the volatility of cryptocurrencies nor the fact that assets once appreciated can depreciate drastically, as happened with most NFT game tokens between 2022 and 2024.

Is It Possible to Profit with NFT Games in 2026?

In all different modalities of NFT games, there is the possibility of gains and rewards, but the concept of profit tends to be relative in this scenario. Some games set daily reward limits for players, and these rewards can be, for example, in Satoshis, the “cents of Bitcoin,” i.e., the smallest possible fraction of a BTC.

There are also other games where trading occurs directly between users and is not limited by the developers. With the popularization of play-to-earn games between 2021-2022, the expenses to assemble a team and start the journey increased drastically. During the peak of Axie Infinity, the initial investment could cost $1,000 or more to acquire three competitive Axies.

Furthermore, in some cases, it may be possible to generate a significant amount, but not fixed or stable, and therefore NFT games cannot be considered a reliable extra income source in 2026. The reality is that most players do not profit, and many lost money when tokens plummeted after the initial hype.

Are There Any NFT Games Available in 2026?

NFT games to make money generally fall under the “play to earn” category, and as we mentioned, to “play to earn” may require an initial investment, which varies depending on each game.

1. Axie Infinity

One of the most popular play-to-earn games today, Axie Infinity’s internal currency AXS was highly valued in 2021, which increased its initial investment. Inside the game, NFTs are Axies, characters that each user owns and breeds throughout the journey for battles and missions. Nowadays, after the market crash, the game remains active but with a much smaller player base and reduced initial investment.

A notable case is the Philippines, where during the pandemic many Filipino citizens started playing Axie Infinity, becoming the largest player base of the game, reaching about 40% of total players. Many earned monthly income during lockdown periods.

2. Illuvium

Illuvium is an RPG where players are responsible for capturing creatures called Illuvials. The game, which spent years in development, finally launched in 2023 with over 100 different creatures. It runs on the Ethereum Blockchain system. The game has a “free-to-play” phase where no initial investment is required; only when the player wants to acquire NFTs does the investment happen.

3. CryptoKitties

A more conventional game, CryptoKitties involves creating, buying, and selling adorable digital cats, which are the game’s NFTs. Thus, players can create, collect, and trade CryptoKitties, which are unique and non-replaceable. Since the game was developed on the Ethereum network, players need an Ether wallet to play.

CryptoKitties was launched in November 2017, causing a sensation: the rarest cats were worth over a million dollars at the time. The game set a record of 40,000 active users in one day, thus congesting the Ethereum network. However, recent statistics show transaction volume has fallen to just 1% of the peak value, with fewer than 1,000 players remaining active in 2026.

4. Bomb Crypto

A game where you use a token called BCoin or Bombercoin to randomly purchase NFT characters. Characters are divided into various rarities, which directly influence your earnings and the return on your investment time. It is an automatic 2D game where your characters walk on a map similar to Bomberman, exploding boxes to earn BCoin. The player’s task is simply to set the characters to work and rest.

5. Mafagafo NFT

Mafagafo NFT is a game developed by a Brazilian team, with its name originating from a famous tongue twister. To play, the player must buy a box using the game’s token called MafaCoin. From this box, the player will receive a Mafagafo (or the game’s NFT). The gameplay is basically like Fall Guys, where the first-place player receives more tokens from the game.

The game caught the attention of the Brazilian public not only because its developers are Brazilian but also due to marketing actions involving several influencers. Another factor was an incident during the IDO (token launch), when, after errors, the developers promptly refunded the buyers’ tokens and relisted the token at its proper value.

Risks and Scams in NFT Games

Due to the anonymity that the internet provides, many scams (known as “scam”) are common because of the interest generated by the possibility of gains. Many people without proper knowledge of how to protect their data end up losing all their invested money by being careless.

Most Common Scams in NFT Games

Fake Websites: Clone phishing with similar domain to the official one stealing wallet information

Fake Emails: Messages about prizes with malicious links to steal credentials

Fake Games: Developers announce a game, do pre-sales, and disappear with the collected funds

Rug Pulls: Developers abandon projects after initial fundraising

Artificial Pumps: Manipulation of token prices to profit at the expense of newcomers

To protect yourself, always verify official URLs, never share seed phrases, research project reputation in communities, and only invest what you can afford to lose.

What Happened to Famous NFT Games?

Many wonder: what happened to those NFT games from 3-4 years ago that exploded? The answer is that most experienced a severe decline after the crypto market crash in 2022.

Plant vs Undead (PVU): The game faced various server issues, from hacker attacks that generated counterfeit tokens to administrative errors that wiped out players’ NFT inventories. With these incidents, the game’s currency plummeted to less than a cent, and the game virtually died.

CryptoCars: Certik, one of the largest blockchain verification companies, accused CryptoCars of being a “scam,” causing the currency to crash. A few days later, Certik retracted, confirming it was not the case, but the damage was done. Due to loss of trust, the CCar token eventually collapsed.

Crypto Blades: Peaked in popularity in 2021 but suffered from inflationary economics where newly created tokens exceeded demand, causing price collapse and player exodus.

NFT Games Economy: Boom and Bust

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, millions worldwide had their income sources affected. Especially in countries where most of the population is poor, such as Venezuela, Brazil, the Philippines, China. Thus, the NFT game market attracted many people who, with an investment, managed to start earning a monthly income to get through this difficult period.

Because of the high volatility of the cryptocurrency market, newly launched games are often targeted by traders, as their tokens are usually very cheap at launch and tend to appreciate rapidly and significantly once known by players. Many traders make a lot of money just by buying tokens and waiting a few days.

Typically, after these big increases in token values, the price returns to normal or drops so much that new players lose interest, causing the game to “die.” This short lifecycle characterized most NFT games between 2021-2023, leaving many investors with significant losses.

Current Situation of NFT Games in 2026

In 2026, the NFT game market is much more mature and realistic. The initial hype has passed, and only projects with genuinely fun gameplay and sustainable economy survived. The era of earning thousands of dollars per month playing has ended for most, but opportunities still exist for those who understand the risks.

The surviving games focused on improving gameplay rather than just speculative mechanics. Axie Infinity, for example, launched Axie Infinity: Origins with improved gameplay and rebalanced economy. Illuvium finally launched after years of development, offering AAA graphics and complex mechanics.

New games learned from past mistakes, implementing more sustainable economies where tokens are not infinitely inflationary. There is also movement toward genuine “free-to-play” models where initial investment is not mandatory, removing entry barriers that kept many players away.

FAQ

Do NFT Games Still Make Money in 2026?

Yes, but much less than at the peak of 2021-2022. Most players do not profit significantly, and NFT games should not be considered a reliable income source. Only dedicated players with specific strategies achieve consistent profits.

How Much Do I Need to Invest to Start in NFT Games?

It depends on the game. Some, like Illuvium, offer free modes, while others, like Axie Infinity, still require purchasing initial NFTs that can vary depending on the market. Always research current costs before investing.

$50 # Which NFT Games Are Still Active?

Active NFT games in 2026 include Axie Infinity $500 rebalanced###, Illuvium (launched), Gods Unchained, Splinterlands, and new titles with sustainable economies. Many popular games from 2021 like Plant vs Undead and CryptoCars have failed.

(# How to Avoid Scams in NFT Games?

Verify official URLs, never share seed phrases, research reputation in established communities, be wary of promises of guaranteed profits, and only invest what you can afford to lose. Most “NFT games” promising quick returns are scams.

)# Are NFT Games Considered Gambling?

There is debate about this. NFT games share features with gambling: converting real money, results based on luck, and potential losses. Some countries like South Korea have banned NFT games focused on financial profit, considering them gambling.

Is It Worth Investing in NFT Games in 2026?

For most people, no. NFT games are highly speculative, most projects fail, and profits are not guaranteed. If you genuinely enjoy playing and accept the risk of losing your investment, it can be an expensive entertainment. As a financial investment, there are much better options.