Telegram has long since stopped being just a messenger. On the platform, mini-apps and games launch right inside chats with no installation. A separate wave of popularity fell to crypto games with real tokens and airdrops.
We explain whether Telegram games are still relevant in 2025 and which projects are worth a look.
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The First Games On Telegram
The first projects appeared in 2016, when Telegram launched the HTML5 games platform. These were simple arcades, quizzes, and high-score competitions that opened inside chats via bots, for example via Gamee. The format quickly caught on thanks to zero installation, leaderboards, and the ability to play right in group chats.
A special place was held by multiplayer titles like “Mafia” and “Quizzes,” where gameplay revolved around communication. They showed that a messenger can be not only a means of communication, but also a gaming platform.
Why Telegram Games Became Popular
The rise in popularity is explained by several reasons:
- No installation required: games open inside the chat and run on any device.
- Availability on both smartphone and computer with one-click, fast sign-in.
- A strong social component: group play, instant sharing, and leaderboards.
- The emergence of crypto games with airdrops and tokens, which added real rewards and explosive audience growth for projects like Hamster Kombat and TapSwap.
Geography of users of Telegram gaming projects. Source: gam3s
The Peak Of The Telegram-Game Hype
The real boom came at the end of 2023 and the first half of 2024. It all started with Notcoin, which showed that a simple “tapper” could bring users real money via an airdrop. After that came Hamster Kombat and TapSwap, which gathered tens of millions of players in just a few months.
The reasons for the hype were obvious:
- a minimal entry threshold (it was enough to tap the screen);
- the promise of an airdrop with real value;
- the “FOMO” effect — users were afraid to miss out on profit, as happened to those who joined Notcoin late.
Are Telegram Games Still Relevant In 2025
By autumn 2025, the frenzy around Telegram games has eased somewhat. This is because:
- many projects have already held their TGEs and token listings, and some players have cashed out profits;
- too many copies of popular projects have appeared, which dilutes interest;
- the community has become more cautious, expecting transparent tokenomics from new projects, not just promises.
Even so, the market keeps going. Hamster Kombat and TapSwap still maintain the largest communities, while new projects try to stand out with more complex gameplay and DeFi integration. In other words, the gold-rush-level hype has faded, but the games themselves have solidified as a distinct segment of the Telegram ecosystem.
Popular genres of Telegram games. Source: gam3s
How Crypto Games In Telegram Are Structured
Games on Telegram are built on different earning models:
- Play-to-airdrop — players collect points that are later converted into tokens. That’s how Notcoin worked, followed by Hamster Kombat and TapSwap.
- Earn and sell — projects with tokens already issued. Players can withdraw rewards immediately. Catizen is an example.
- NFT mechanics — rare items or characters become digital assets that can be sold for cryptocurrency.
Top 5 Telegram Games Of 2025
Hundreds of projects compete for users’ attention, but these five have been the most notable thanks to huge communities, engagement, and a clear strategy:
- Hamster Kombat — a viral mini-app with an audience of over 300 million players. The HMSTR token launched in autumn 2024; the game continues to evolve.
- TapSwap — the largest competitor in tap-to-earn, with an audience exceeding 60 million. The TAPS token launched in early 2025.
- Blum — a hybrid trading platform and mini-game on Telegram from former Binance top managers. The BLUM token came out in summer 2025.
- YesCoin — a game with swipe mechanics instead of tapping. The team has confirmed token plans, but as of autumn 2025 there is still no listing.
- Catizen — a simulator where you run a cat café with strategic gameplay. The CATI token launched in 2024 and the project continues to run seasonal activities.
How To Find Games On Telegram
There’s no separate game store in Telegram. All projects are launched via bots and mini-apps. To find a game, you can use several methods:
- Built-in search — just enter the game’s name or the word “game.”
- Official project channels — most games publish a launch button in their own communities.
- Thematic chats — active groups share links and discuss new projects.
- Third-party bot catalogs — dedicated sites with selections of popular gaming mini-apps.
How To Choose The Right Game
Your choice depends on how much time you’re ready to spend and what you expect:
- For daily activity, pick projects with regular tasks (Hamster Kombat, Major).
- For steadier payouts, it’s better to choose games with tokens that already trade (CATI, HMSTR, BLUM).
- If a game hasn’t hit exchanges yet, assess the transparency of its roadmap so you don’t waste time (example — YesCoin).
Bottom Line
Telegram games have become a bright phenomenon in the Web3 ecosystem. Their peak came in 2023–2024, when simple “tappers” like Notcoin and Hamster Kombat attracted hundreds of millions of players. In 2025 the hype is lower, but the games themselves have settled in as a permanent format: they remain simple, social, and in some cases profitable. As of today, the leaders include Hamster Kombat, TapSwap, Blum, YesCoin, and Catizen.
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