An easy-to-pick-up running game with a mix of minigames, customization, and real rewards on Tezos.
Athletics Rush by TapNation is the kind of game that’s perfect for quick, fun breaks. It’s part of the hyper-casual gaming world, where simplicity and instant play are everything. In this game, you control a track runner, dodging obstacles and collecting power-ups. You then spend those coins to upgrade your runner and repeat. It’s easy to pick up, and you’ll be running in seconds, whether at home or waiting for a bus.
The gameplay in Athletics Rush is super easy to learn. You swipe left or right to guide your runner, avoiding obstacles, collecting coins, and grabbing level-ups that match your runner’s jersey. Some parts of the track light up and change your runner’s color, so you’ll have to think quickly about which path to take to keep collecting the right items. Be careful; if you run into just one obstacle, your race will be over.
The game has three main modes: javelin, relay, and pole vault. Each one has its own special ending minigame that adds a fun twist:
Javelin: Dodge obstacles and throw javelins at barriers that block your path. After running, you control the javelin in the air, aiming to hit targets and collect coins. I liked hitting the multipliers along the way to earn extra coins — it made each throw feel like an adventure.
Pole Vaulting: Run between the obstacles, collecting pieces of your pole to boost you at the end of the race. At the end of this mode, you use a power meter to launch your runner onto a podium. The key is tapping at the right moment, which makes your runner soar high. It’s a cool way to wrap up the round.
Relay: With more obstacles blocking your path, weave your way to the hand-off and pass the baton to the right-colored teammate. This one ends with a crazy tap-fest, where you must tap as fast as possible to bust through brick walls. It’s simple but gets your heart pumping as you rush for the gold.
Collecting coins and items that match your jersey fills a bar that kicks in “Rage Mode,” where your runner turns into a sprinting juggernaut. It’s a bit like the “Star Mode” from classic games in my youth, very fun and satisfying.
Athletics Rush does all the things you expect from a hyper-casual game:
Quick Start: You can start playing right away. Perfect for killing a few spare minutes.
Simple Design: Easy controls and straightforward goals make it a game anyone can play.
Addictive Loops: There’s always a reason to play just once more, whether collecting coins or unlocking new items.
The game looks great, with bright colors and smooth animations that make it fun to watch. There’s also haptic feedback, so you feel each coin you collect. The graphics are simple but fit perfectly with the fast-paced, casual vibe of the game. The running sounds, as well as the collecting of coins and items, are very satisfying. Be sure to grab the correct color.
Athletics Rush is free to play; like most free games, it has ads. But here, the ads usually feel worth it:
Optional Ads as Rewards: You can watch ads to power up, get extra chances after messing up, or collect bonus coins. I wanted to watch these ads because the rewards made the game even more fun and gave me a real boost.
Balanced Ad Integration: There are some forced ads, like when you unlock new outfits or finish a race. But compared to other games, the amount of ads is pretty decent. If you want, you can pay to get rid of them permanently altogether.
You can also buy coins to upgrade your runner or buy “Skip’its” to skip ads and get rewards instantly. If you’re willing to pay a bit, you can even remove ads just for the day.
To keep things interesting, Athletics Rush has some cool progression elements:
Unlocking International Locations: After reaching level 10, you unlock different international locations surrounding the Village Stadium. As you unlock the areas in the game, their location unlocks in the Village as well. It’s a nice visual reward that gives you something to look forward to.
Customizing Your Runner: As you progress, you can unlock and collect different outfits and accessories for your runner, adding a bit of personal flair.
One fun addition is that you can earn “MiniXTZ” from the leaderboard, worth a tiny bit of cryptocurrency (0.001 tez), unlocked when you reach level 5. You just have to log in with your Google account to join the leaderboards. It’s a cool way to add a competitive edge and earn a real-world reward. Claiming your “MiniXTZ” is all done through your social login with Kukai wallet directly on Tezos.
The game’s mix of easy controls, fun modes, and the chance to keep unlocking new stuff makes it really addictive. I often found myself playing a bunch of rounds back-to-back. Whether it’s smashing crates in the javelin event or trying to trigger Rage Mode, there’s always something fun happening.
Athletics Rush stands out because of its mix of different minigames and the progression system:
Minigame Variety: Each mode has a different style and ending minigame, which keeps things interesting. There are even bonus rounds offering opportunities to earn coins outside the competition.
Rewarding Ads: Unlike some games, watching ads here actually helps you out instead of just being an annoying interruption.
Progression System: Unlocking international locations adds more depth and progression than most other hyper-casual games offer.
Pros:
Easy and quick gameplay.
Satisfying mechanics and lots of variety.
Ads are optional and rewarding.
A decent progression system with cool unlocks.
Real rewards and leaderboards add a competitive touch.
Cons:
Forced ads do pop up occasionally.
The gameplay might feel repetitive after a while.
The simple design might not appeal to everyone.
Athletics Rush is a solid choice if you like hyper-casual games. It’s quick, easy, and keeps you entertained with a good mix of fun minigames and challenges. The ads are mostly optional and rewarding, and the game has enough variety to keep you returning for more. If you want a game to fill short breaks and enjoy a bit of a challenge, Athletics Rush is definitely worth trying.
Ready to take on the track? Download Athletics Rush and see how far you can go. Race, unlock new stadiums, and see if you can make it to the top of the leaderboards!
Athletics Rush: The Hyper-Casual Game That’s Perfect for Quick Fun was originally published in Tezos Commons on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
