You keep hearing all about NFTs and how they’re going to change the world. But maybe you still don’t even know what they are. If you came across one you might not even realize it.

So, what are some examples of NFTs? 

Below, we’ll highlight some of the most popular and successful projects across the most common types of NFTs. From NFT art examples to digital collectibles, communities, gaming, and more, you’ll have a much better idea of what the NFT landscape looks like today.

Perhaps the best NFT examples are here before your very eyes at Pudgy Penguins. It all started with the minting of 8,888 adorable, unique penguin companions back in 2021. But it wasn’t just about creating cute art - we wanted to cultivate a community that radiated positivity, togetherness, and childlike wonder. 

Fast forward to the present day and our simple NFT idea has evolved into a worldwide movement that even transcended the digital realm thanks to the penguins toys in our penguin store. Learn more about the Pudgy Penguins family today and find more NFT examples below! 

What is an NFT (Non-Fungible Token)?

Let’s start with the basics before getting into some examples of NFTs…what is an NFT? When did NFTs start? And perhaps most importantly, why do people buy NFTs?

NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, are a revolutionary approach to ownership and creativity. To understand what makes them so powerful you need an understanding of what “fungible” means - which is the ability to exchange something on a one-for-one basis.

For example, you can trade a $20 bill for any other $20 bill in circulation. The same is true for Bitcoin or Ethereum. However, a non-fungible token cannot be exchanged in this manner. It is 100% unique, the only one of its kind in existence. This creates an array of opportunities for artwork, collectibles, virtual real estate, and other forms of digital content. 

The concept of NFTs gained traction with the rise of blockchain technology, particularly Ethereum's ERC-721 standard, which enabled the creation and trading of unique digital assets on the blockchain. 

Since then, NFTs have evolved into a diverse ecosystem, encompassing various industries and creative endeavors. They were made popular by names like Cryptopunks, Pudgy Penguins, and Bored Ape Yacht Club - all of which are great NFT examples.

The benefits of NFTs lie in their ability to show irrefutable proof of ownership and authenticity. Creators and collectors alike can rest assured they’re getting what they think they are thanks to blockchain technology.

All that being said, let’s take a look at some of the most unique examples of NFTs below to show you just how wide the digital world is.

What are Some Examples of NFTs?

Part of what makes understanding NFTs so tough is that they’re not always tangible given their digital nature. You can’t physically touch or see them - they’re on a screen for you to interpret.

So, what are some examples of NFTs that have actually been successful, gained traction, and gone on to have a meaningful impact on the world we live in, not just digitally, but the real world? 

We’ll break it down into a few different categories elbow, from NFT art examples to collectibles, gaming, communities, memes, and more. 

NFT Art Examples

When most people think of NFTs, they’re probably envisioning art - more specifically, an adorable Pudgy Penguin or vibrant ape. But as you’ll discover below, these are so much more than digital files you can put as your profile picture.

Pudgy Penguins

As we briefly touched on earlier, the Pudgy Penguins brand was born with the minting of 8,888 unique penguin characters in August of 2021. Each was meticulously crafted by talented artists with the goal of creating a delightful fusion of creativity and charm.

The brand is all about creativity, freedom, and community. We believe in the power of play and want you to reconnect with your inner child through our fun-loving characters.

After the reception of the original Pudgy Penguins, 22,222 Lil Pudgys were born as well. These are smaller in stature but make no mistake, they’re fierce, mighty, and powerful allies in the battle against negativity!

Part of what makes Pudgy Penguins unique is that owners gain access to Pudgy World where they can interact with their digital companions, participate in community events, and unlock special features. 

But, we’re also the first Web 3 brand to take things from the digital realm back into the physical realm through our unique penguin plushies, penguin figurines, and other types of penguin collectibles. 

This is undoubtedly one of the best NFT projects here today, and you can get in on the fun yourself by browsing our marketplace and seeing which characters are ready to be adopted!

Doodles

Doodles is a vibrant and colorful NFT collection that stands out for its playful and imaginative artwork. The project was born in 2021 shortly after Pudgy Penguins by a team of artists, one of whom we’ll discuss in a moment for his involvement in another NFT art example.

Unlike other NFT projects that seem to center around a common character, Doodles features everything from astronauts to skeletons, cats, sharks, balloons, coffees, and more, each designed with unique traits and pastel color palettes. 

The Doodles collection emphasizes community involvement, where holders have a say in the project's development and future initiatives through a communal treasury funded by secondary sales. 

This community-driven approach, along with the distinct, joyful art style, makes Doodles a beloved project within the NFT space. It’s been worked on by the likes of legendary artist Pharrell Williams!

Azuki

Azuki is a collection of 10,000 digital art NFTs featuring a series of anime-inspired characters. Each Azuki is hand-drawn and can range in style, with some holding skateboards and others wielding samurai swords.

The holder of any of these characters gains membership access to “The Garden”, a virtual space where community and additional benefits evolve. 

The project stands out for its rich artwork and strong community ties, with a focus on blending traditional art values with blockchain technology. The Azuki collection has been noted for its high-quality art and active engagement strategies, fostering a vibrant ecosystem around digital identity and ownership.

CryptoPunks

One of the earliest NFT examples is CryptoPunks, a pioneering project consisting of 10,000 unique 24x24 pixel art images of misfits and eccentrics, generated algorithmically. Most CryptoPunks are human, but there are a few rare types like zombies, apes, and aliens. 

The movement was created by Larva Labs in 2017 and still has a strong grip on the NFT space here today. As one of the first NFTs on the Ethereum blockchain, CryptoPunks have become highly sought after as collector's items and are seen as the precursors to the modern NFT movement. 

Their limited number and historical significance have made them some of the most valuable and sought-after NFTs in the market. You’ll still find them in profile pictures across social media!

Collectible NFT Examples

Technically any NFT can be considered a collectible item, but there are a few types of NFTs that are simply designed to be collected and nothing more. So, what are digital collectibles you need to know about? We’ll share a few NFT examples of these below.

Jack Dorsey’s First Tweet

NFTs have created a lot of “firsts” - including the first monetized tweet back in 2021. Crypto visionary Sina Estavi purchased the first tweet from Jack Dorsey (Twitter co-founder) for a steep $2.9 million.

The tweet was simple and read “just setting up my twitter”. It was sent out at 8:50 PM back in March of 2006. Who knew we’d be here talking about it nearly two decades later? While it was then listed for $48 million, it never quite captured the attention of any buyers.

NBA Top Shots

Sports fanatics are well aware of the concept of collecting cards of their favorite athletes. But what if you could take this digital and make it a more exclusive experience? NBA Top Shots took this idea and ran with it.

The goal was to help collectors feel like kids again, recreating that feeling of ripping open packs of cards eager to find out what was inside. 

Since then, the brand has expanded to allow collectors to own highlights such as Steph Curry’s record-breaking 3-pointer or Victor Wembanyama's first bucket.

Across all these different ways to engage with Top Shots, there’s a consistent theme of helping you experience the game in a whole new way and connecting with other fans around the world.

NFT Gaming Examples

Some NFTs are unique in that you can actually interact with them and play games through them. There are three great NFT examples of this we want to highlight for you:

Cryptokitties

Cryptokitties is one of the earliest NFT examples of blockchain-based gaming and NFTs, launched in 2017 by Dapper Labs. The project was the brainchild of Evan ‘Tulip’ Keast and Jordan ‘Poopie’ Castro, who later went on to work on the Doodles example we discussed earlier!

Cryptokitties is unique in that it’s not just about collecting art, you can actually treat this NFT more like a game. Players buy, collect, breed, and sell virtual cats, each represented as an NFT on the Ethereum blockchain. 

Each Cryptokitty is unique, with its own set of genetic traits that can be passed down to offspring. This game popularized the concept of blockchain gaming, demonstrating the potential of NFTs for representing unique digital items with real-world value.

Axie Infinity

Axie Infinity is a blockchain-based game launched by Sky Mavis that revolves around collectible digital creatures called Axies, which players can breed, raise, and use in battles. 

Each Axie is a unique NFT with specific attributes and abilities. The game itself integrates play-to-earn elements, meaning you can earn cryptocurrency through gameplay activities. 

Axie Infinity gained traction for its high engagement levels, particularly in regions like the Philippines, where it provided significant income opportunities during the economic downturn caused by the pandemic. 

The game operates on Ethereum via its sidechain, Ronin, designed to enhance scalability and reduce transaction fees​. Just be aware that it can be quite addicting once you dive into this digital realm!

Roblox

While not a traditional NFT game, Roblox is an influential player in the broader metaverse and gaming ecosystem, where user-generated content thrives. 

Players on Roblox can create games and experiences using the platform's tools and participate in a vast online community. The platform's economy is based on a virtual currency, Robux, which can be used to purchase in-game items and experiences. 

Although Roblox does not use NFTs in the traditional sense, creators are able to use the elements of this game to create their own NFTs, which can then be minted on the blockchain for tokenization.

NFT Meme Examples

Even something as simple as a meme can become an NFT - and we have a few great examples of this as well.

Nyan Cat GIF

Nyan Cat is a viral internet meme featuring a cartoon cat with a Pop-Tart body flying through space, leaving a rainbow trail. It first hit the web in 2011 and was originally inspired by the idea of a pet passing on and crossing the rainbow bridge, but living on in spirit.

The original creator, Chris Torres, remastered the classic animation for its 10th anniversary and sold it as a unique NFT for 300 Ethereum, which was roughly equivalent to $590,000 at the time of sale in February 2021. 

This sale highlighted the potential for iconic digital images to find renewed value in the NFT market​. Owning Nyan Cat is said to boost your charisma, luck, and happiness stats!

Bad Luck Brian

Everyone remembers the iconic Bad Luck Brian meme, in which a yearbook photo of a teenager was accompanied by captions describing various unfortunate, humorous scenarios.

This meme too was tokenized by the kid in the photograph (Kyle Craven) and the meme creator (Ian Davies), who decided to turn the internet’s fun into their own fortune. The NFT was minted for $36,000.

NFT Community Examples

Many NFTs are backed by community engagement to some degree, such as ours here at Pudgy Penguin. However, certain NFTs are designed with community at the core. Here are a few of examples of this style:

Bored Ape Yacht Club

The Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) is a collection of 10,000 unique Bored Ape NFTs - digital collectibles living on the Ethereum blockchain. 

Owning a Bored Ape grants access to an exclusive global community of NFT collectors and additional benefits that are unlocked over time through community engagement and further NFT drops. 

The BAYC has gained popularity and status in the NFT community, becoming symbols of social and financial capital. This exclusivity is what draws new members in, hoping to meet like minded individuals and level up themselves.

Decentraland

Last but not least on our list of NFT examples we have Decentraland, a perfect example of community-based NFTs. This virtual reality platform is powered by Ethereum and allows users  to create, experience, and monetize content and applications. 

In this virtual world, users purchase plots of land that they can later navigate, build upon, and monetize. 

As an NFT, each land parcel is a distinct, transferable digital asset, managed by the user. Decentraland also happens to be a prime example of a digital real estate NFT in this sense. Those who own plots next to yours are your “neighbors” so to speak.

Bringing Our List of Examples of NFTs to a Close

We’ve shared a ton of examples of NFTs to help you gain a better understanding of not just what they are in reality but how diverse they are.

From NFT art examples like Pudgy Penguins and cryptopunks to gaming, collectibles, real estate, memes, and more - the possibilities are endless in the digital realm!

While there are so many variations they share common themes, like creativity, community, innovation, and more. Whether you're looking to start your collection or expand it, consider what inspires you, assess the value, and connect with communities that resonate with your interests. 

Our blog has additional resources if you want to advance your understanding of NFTs. Learn how to transfer NFT to another wallet, where to sell NFTs, how much does it cost to create an NFT, how to find upcoming NFT projects, how to buy NFT on Opensea, the best NFT marketplaces, and more.

But if you’re looking to dive into this digital realm head first, take a look at our marketplace and see what catches your eye. We can’t wait to welcome you into the Pudgy Penguins family with open arms!