As the NFL preseason gets underway this August, teams are preparing for the cutthroat competition and readjusting to the game-day environment, and organizations have a chance to evaluate players who may not often be seen on the field. Rosters are finalized every preseason, and teams receive an opportunity to see how a squad is going to perform.
Rookies get real experience on the field and a chance to adjust to the speed of NFL matches. While not as exciting as the actual season, the preseason is a chance to get hyped for it, which will be easy with these three NFL-themed games.
1. NFL Rivals
NFL Rivals is an NFL-licensed Web3 game by Mythical Games that combines strategic team management with arcade-style football action. The game’s bursts of strategic moments showcase the fast-paced gameplay promised by the developers, with brief pauses allowing players to make crucial decisions.
Although it’s a Web3 game, it has been received as quite accessible for all players. CMO Nate Nesbitt has stated, “Web3 gaming isn’t about eclipsing Web2, it’s about enhancing it.”
NFL Rivals NFTs are digital player cards used to build your team and compete in the game. These cards come in different rarity levels—ranging from “Common” to “Legendary”—each with unique strengths and weaknesses. While the game is free-to-play and competitive without NFTs, owning them can unlock in-game benefits and special access to exclusive events for certain NFT holders.
NFL Rivals offers both solo and multiplayer gameplay options, and has been downloaded over 6 million times and counting.
2. Wild Card Football
Lesser-known Wild Card Football is an arcade-style game with authentic professional players, optimized rule sets, dynamic moves, and customizable teams and outfits. Players can show off their skills in multiplayer modes with matchmaking, crossplay, and single-player modes, with Wild Cards contributing over-the-top action. The 7v7 team-focused game’s Wild Card system features power-ups and rule-breaking skills, allowing players to change the course of action instantly.
Wild Card Football’s Deluxe Edition includes the base game, cosmetics and power-up cards, 10 card packs comprising a mix of Rare, Epic, and Legendary player cards, and the Wild Card Football Season pass, which contains three future DLC packs with cosmetic outfits and legacy players and a Day 1 Blazing Bones outfit unlock.
The option of disabled Wild Cards is available in Season mode, but that makes the game a bit less exciting. Wild Cards aren’t required in every single mode, but they are significant gameplay modifiers, providing players with an advantage or placing opponents at a disadvantage.
3. Madden NFL 25
Madden NFL 25 is the last in the Madden NFL series to be released on Xbox One and PlayStation 4. Among the new gameplay mechanics introduced by Madden NFL 25 are the Reloaded Hit Stick Mechanic, BOOM Tech Tackling System, and Ball Carrier Balance and Recovery.
BOOM Tech Tackling considers player ratings, momentum, speed, weight, and other factors to determine dynamic outcomes. It moved away from predetermined animations and introduced more varied and realistic tackles. Balance and Recovery were also introduced for the sake of more realistic gameplay. Ball carriers can brace for impact and recover their balance depending on the carrier’s skills and the defender’s approach.
The release of the upcoming Madden NFL 26 has been scheduled for August 14, 2025. It will be released for Xbox X/S, Windows, PS5, and Nintendo Switch 2.
How to master football-themed video games
Understanding football’s nuances, such as offensive and defensive strategies, player roles, and play calls, can help you make informed decisions during gameplay. A good grasp of football enables one to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of their in-game players, optimizing their team’s performance. Understanding strategies can help you predict your opponent’s moves and formulate counter-strategies.
