Top Games That Popularized Loot Boxes

7 September 2025

Let’s talk about loot boxes. You’ve probably heard the term tossed around in gaming discussions like candy at Halloween. Some love them, some can’t stand them—but there’s no doubt that loot boxes have left a huge mark on the gaming world.

In this article, we’re diving into the top games that popularized loot boxes. We’re not talking about the first ones to try the concept—we’re talking about the heavyweights. The games that took loot boxes from some weird optional feature to a full-blown industry trend.

So grab your favorite drink, sit back, and let’s unpack (pun intended) the games that made digital surprise mechanics a thing.

What Even Are Loot Boxes?

Before we dive in, let’s clear the air for anyone who’s just getting into this. A loot box is basically a virtual crate of random goodies. You don’t know what you’ll get—maybe a cool skin, a powerful weapon, or… just another duplicate item (ugh).

It’s the game industry’s way of mixing that thrill of surprise (think birthday presents) with progression or cosmetics. And yes, they’ve been controversial, especially when real money is involved.

1. FIFA Ultimate Team (FUT) – The Poster Child of Digital Card Packs

Alright, we can’t talk about loot boxes without addressing the giant elephant in the room—FIFA Ultimate Team.

How FUT Changed the Game

FIFA’s Ultimate Team mode took traditional sports gameplay and added collectible cards that function like loot boxes. Players could buy packs (with in-game currency or real money), hoping to pull superstar players to strengthen their team.

Why It Worked

Let’s be honest—it was addictive. Opening packs had that same thrill as tearing open a pack of baseball cards when you were a kid. Plus, the game loop was solid: collect players, improve your squad, climb the ranks.

But here’s the catch: the rare cards were, well… really rare. And if you wanted a Messi or a Ronaldo early on? You either had to grind like crazy or open your wallet.

Cultural Impact

FUT is arguably one of the most financially successful examples of loot boxes. EA Sports basically set the bar for sports games. And yeah, they sparked a ton of debate and regulatory scrutiny along the way.

2. Overwatch – When Cosmetics Met Chaos

Next on the list is Blizzard’s Overwatch. This iconic team-based shooter not only wowed us with its gameplay and character design but also made loot boxes cool (at least for a while).

What Made Overwatch Special?

Overwatch came out swinging in 2016 with an amazing cast of heroes and some pretty slick cosmetics—skins, emotes, voice lines, you name it. But instead of letting you just buy the skin you wanted, Blizzard said, “Hey, open this loot box and see what you get!”

The Psychology of the Pull

Opening a loot box in Overwatch felt like spinning a slot machine—complete with sound effects, flashing colors, and the dopamine hit of a shiny legendary skin drop.

Players could earn boxes through gameplay, but of course, you could also buy them. And many did. A lot.

Lasting Legacy

Overwatch helped normalize loot boxes for a broader audience. It wasn’t just competitive games or card packs anymore. Now even casual players were on board. Blizzard’s polished interface and addictive system made loot crates feel more like fun bonuses than pay-to-win mechanics.

3. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) – Skins for Days (and Dollars)

Here’s one that took loot boxes into a whole new realm—actual secondary market value.

Enter the Case System

CS:GO introduced weapon cases—loot boxes containing skins—in 2013. But here’s where it twisted the formula: players needed a key (that cost real money) to open them.

The possibilities? Some skins were worth just pennies—others went for thousands. We're talking more than some people’s rent.

Why It Exploded

It became an economy unto itself. Some players opened hundreds of boxes chasing rare skins. Others flipped their drops on the Steam Marketplace. It wasn’t just about customization—it was about status and profit.

Controversy? Oh Yes.

With great hype came great responsibility, and let’s just say Valve got heat for this. The issue of “skin gambling” popped up, with third-party sites allowing players to bet these digital items. Lawsuits followed. Investigations happened.

Still, CS:GO’s case system lives on and remains one of the most influential loot-box models ever made.

4. Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare & Black Ops III – The Shooter Shake-Up

Call of Duty has had plenty of entries, but Advanced Warfare really pushed the envelope in 2014 by introducing Supply Drops.

What Were Supply Drops?

They were essentially loot boxes packed with weapons, cosmetics, perks, and more. It added a layer of RNG to a traditionally twitch-based shooter. Suddenly, gear wasn’t just about skill or progression—it was about what you pulled from a box.

The Good, The Bad, and The Broken

Some players loved the grind and surprise. But others pointed out the obvious flaw—powerful weapons were locked behind random drops. That didn’t sit well with competitive players.

By the time Black Ops III came around, supply drops were in full swing. The community was mixed—some adored the chase, others saw it as a cash grab.

Either way, CoD gave loot boxes a major spotlight in the FPS world.

5. Star Wars Battlefront II (2017) – The Infamous Fallout

You knew it was coming.

If any game single-handedly pushed loot box discussion into mainstream media, it was Battlefront II.

What Went Wrong?

EA’s 2017 release tied progression directly to loot boxes. Want to upgrade your character? Better hope you got the right Star Card from your crate. And yes, you could buy crates with real-world money.

People flipped out. It wasn’t just annoying—it was unbalanced.

The Internet Revolts

Players accused EA of turning a beloved franchise into a pay-to-win machine. The backlash was intense. Reddit’s most downvoted comment came from EA trying to justify the system.

Governments took notice. Discussions about whether loot boxes were gambling exploded across Europe and beyond.

The Aftermath

To their credit, EA reworked the game and removed the pay-to-win mechanics. But the damage was done. Battlefront II remains a textbook example of loot box monetization gone wrong.

6. Hearthstone – The Digital Card Game That Addicted Millions

Now, let’s shift gears to the world of card games. Hearthstone, Blizzard’s digital CCG (Collectible Card Game), didn’t invent card packs—but it definitely helped popularize digital ones.

The Pack Opening Experience

Much like IRL card games (think Magic: The Gathering), every Hearthstone expansion brought new cards—and you had to get packs to access them. Opening packs had that same satisfying flare as cracking real ones.

Fair? Maybe. Frustrating? Absolutely.

The randomness was exciting—but chasing legendaries got old quick. Still, the model worked. The game thrived for years using card pack monetization, and many other digital card games followed the same blueprint.

7. Genshin Impact – Gacha Done Right (Kinda)

Let’s not forget the mobile-turned-console darling, Genshin Impact.

Gacha, The Loot Box Cousin

Genshin uses a gacha system—basically loot boxes with anime flair. Players spend in-game currency (or real money) to “wish” for characters and weapons. You never know what you’ll get.

Why It Hit So Hard

Genshin nailed the balance. It mixed beautiful open-world gameplay with compelling characters and an addictive gacha system. Sure, it could be pricey, but the game itself was free.

That made spending feel more justifiable to many. Not to mention, the drop-rate mechanics, pity timers, and free primogems gave players some breathing room.

The Loot Box Legacy – A Mixed Bag

Loot boxes have shaped modern gaming—for better and worse. From creating new revenue streams to sparking global controversies, they’ve left their mark.

But the industry is adjusting. We see fewer pay-to-win systems now. Many devs have shifted toward battle passes, direct cosmetic purchases, or rotating stores.

Still, the thrill of cracking open a loot box? It’s not going away anytime soon.

Honorable Mentions

Let’s not short-change some other games that flirted with or pushed loot boxes:

- Team Fortress 2 – One of the OGs with crates and key models. Hats, hats, and more hats.
- Shadow of War – Got slammed for using loot boxes in a single-player game.
- Apex Legends – Modern battle royale flare with loot boxes still in the mix.
- Mobile Games – Entire libraries built on gacha and loot-box mechanics.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're a fan or a fierce critic, loot boxes have become part of gaming history. Some games nailed it, blending fun and fairness. Others? Not so much.

But one thing’s clear: when done right, loot boxes can add a layer of excitement. When done wrong? Well, let’s just say the internet doesn’t forget.

So next time you click “open” on a digital crate, just remember—you’re part of a trend that reshaped the way we game.