Top 8 play-to-earn NFT games every gamer should know in January 2026

NFT games sit somewhere at the crossroads of gaming and ownership. They play much like any other online game, where players can explore worlds, win battles, collect items, and grind through a progression system. However, the difference begins to show up when those items that players try so desperately hard to accumulate matter outside the game itself. Characters, weapons, land, or collectables aren’t just pixels tied to an account, but rather digital assets with actual value that players can hold onto. 

It’s precisely this difference that changes the relationship players hold with the game. Time spent playing can result in assets that can be traded, sold, or moved beyond the game’s ecosystem. That said, here are the top 9 play-to-earn NFT games every gamer should know in January 2026.

1. Illuvium

Illuvium is an open-world RPG where players explore a large alien landscape, tracking and capturing creatures known as Illuvials. Aside from exploring the world and engaging in battles, players also build teams based on how different Illuvials perform together in battles. It plays more like a traditional RPG than a typical play-to-earn title, with progression and strategy taking priority over short-term rewards.

What makes Illuvium part of the NFT gaming conversation is how ownership is handled behind the scenes. Illuvials exist as NFTs, meaning players retain control over the creatures they capture and can trade them through external marketplaces. The game runs on Ethereum and is supported by the ILV token, which is used across staking, governance, and in-game incentives. Rather than focusing on earning being the main hook, Illuvium prioritises building and developing a quality game that has blockchain technology backing, making players remain loyal to the game.  

2. Nifty Island

Nifty Island is a social NFT game built around creativity rather than competition. Instead of battles or progression systems, the game revolves around player-owned islands that act as personal spaces. Players can build, customise, and open up their islands for others to visit, making the experience feel closer to a social hub than a traditional game.

What brings Nifty Island into the NFT gaming space is how ownership and creation are tied together. Each island exists as an NFT, giving players control over how their space is used and shared. The game also allows users to display NFTs from other collections, turning islands into galleries, event spaces, or interactive experiences. It’s a game that appeals to players who prefer long-term building, experimentation, and community-driven interaction, with earning opportunities created by naturally engaging with the community and being creative.

3. Shrapnel 

As the name suggests, Shrapnel is a competitive shooter game, where a player’s skill and performance directly affect the items they receive after every match. The focus is on fast, tactical combat, with weapons, gear, and cosmetic items being the main attraction of the entire experience. It feels closer to a traditional multiplayer shooter than a typical blockchain game, with skill and decision-making playing a bigger role than progression systems.

What makes Shrapnel an NFT game is how collectables are handled. Weapons and gear exist as NFTs, meaning players own what they earn and can choose to trade or sell items through external marketplaces. The game is designed so that earning is tied to playing rather than passive mechanics, making it clear that players should value improving their skill and performance above all else.

4. Alien Worlds 

Alien Worlds is a blockchain-based game built around exploration and resource collection, set across multiple planets with their own economies and communities. Players choose a planet to settle on and spend their time mining for resources, contributing to how that planet grows over time. The game is intentionally straightforward, making it easy for even players who are new to NFT or blockchain-based games.

lanets are run through decentralised governance, allowing players to vote on decisions that affect rewards and future development. NFTs in the game include mining tools and land, with landowners earning when others mine on their plots. This creates an economy that rewards both players who actively play the game and long-term ownership, giving them multiple ways to stay involved over time.

5. Decentraland  

Decentraland is a virtual world built around spaces that players actively create. Instead of levels or missions, the game involves exploring environments built by other users, attending events, or creating your own spaces inside the platform. It operates more like an open metaverse than a conventional game, giving players the freedom to decide how they want to participate. 

What brings Decentraland into the NFT gaming category is land ownership. Virtual plots, known as LAND, exist as NFTs and can be developed into anything from simple social spaces to interactive experiences or storefronts. Assets created within the world can be traded through its marketplace using the MANA token, and ownership remains with the player rather than the platform.

6. Splinterlands 

Splinterlands is a card-based strategy game where players build decks and compete in short battles. The point is understanding the card’s abilities and match conditions rather than playing long sessions that involve complex mechanics. Battles are quick, but outcomes depend heavily on how well a player reads the rules and assembles their deck, keeping the gam fair, exciting, and rewarding. 

Each card exists as an NFT, meaning players own the cards they collect and can trade, sell, or even rent them to others. The game runs on the Hive blockchain, which keeps transactions fast and low-cost, and its marketplace supports an active player-driven economy. With options to earn through regular play, quests, and competitive matches, Splinterlands is an easy way for players to start playing NFT games that involve some serious strategy without any heavy commitment.

7. Axie Infinity

It’s no surprise that Axie Infinity is on this list. As one of the most recognisable NFT games, it combines strategy, collecting Axies, and a functioning player economy. Players build teams of creatures called Axies, each with unique abilities that influence turn-based battles. Aside from fighting, the game features daily tasks and competitive matches that provide players with multiple ways to engage, ultimately making participation as much about planning and strategy as it is about gaming. 

Each Axie is an NFT, and players can trade them on the marketplace or breed new Axies to sell to others. The game runs on the Ronin blockchain, designed for fast transactions with low fees, and uses AXS tokens for governance and staking.

8. Gods Unchained  

Gods Unchained is a card game that heavily involves strategy. The game is all about building the right deck and outsmarting opponents instead of owning rare cards or spending a fortune. Each match challenges players to think ahead, combining gods, creatures, and spells in ways that can turn the tide if they play their cards right. It’s fast enough to stay engaging, but strategic enough to keep players coming back for more. 

Each card exists as an NFT, meaning players own the cards they collect and can trade or sell them outside the game. Built on Ethereum and supported by Immutable X, the game avoids high transaction fees while keeping ownership intact. The NFT layer supports the gameplay rather than taking over, making Gods Unchained a strong option for players who want competitive card battles with real asset ownership in the background.

Final thoughts

NFT games aren’t trying to replace traditional gaming overnight. What they’re doing instead is testing new ideas around ownership, progression, and player-driven economies. Some get it right, others are still finding their footing, but the space itself is clearly experimenting. For players, it’s important to understand how a game actually works and decide whether it’s something worth playing even without the tokens attached.

Disclaimer. Readers are encouraged to do their own research. Ambcrypto is not liable for any outcomes related to the use of information, products, or services mentioned. This content may include affiliate or partner links.