Step Up to the Digital Pitch: Play Futebol de Prego!

Hey everyone!

I’m thrilled to announce a new little game I’ve added to the site – a digital version of the classic Brasilian tabletop game, Futebol de Prego (Nail Soccer)!

What is Futebol de Prego?

For those unfamiliar, Futebol de Prego is a beloved tabletop game, especially popular in Brazil, that simulates a soccer match using a simple yet engaging setup. Traditionally, it’s played on a wooden board representing a soccer field, with nails hammered into the board to act as “players.” Each player takes turns flicking a coin (or a similar disc) across the field, trying to navigate it past the opponent’s “nail” players and into the goal. The coin has real physics, bouncing off the walls and the nails, making every flick a fun challenge of skill and strategy.

Bringing the Classic Online!

I’ve always loved the charm and simplicity of these kinds of physical games, and I wanted to see if I could bring that experience to the web. With this digital version, I’ve tried to replicate many of the core features that make Futebol de Prego so much fun:

• Realistic Physics: The “coin” moves and bounces off the walls and nails with (simulated) physics, just like the real thing!
• Strategic Nail Placement: Just like setting up your “team” on a physical board, you can choose from classic soccer formations (4-4-2, 4-3-3, 3-5-2), customize player distribution (Defenders, Midfielders, Attackers), or even go full “DIY” and place each of your 11 nails exactly where you want them on your half of the field!
• Varied Playing Surfaces: Experience different gameplay dynamics with selectable field types like Grass, Wood, Ice, Clay, and Sand, each with unique friction properties affecting how the coin slides.
• Team Customization: Choose player names and select from a few national team color schemes to personalize your side.
• Turn-Based Gameplay: True to the original, players take turns flicking for the goal.
• First to 3 Goals Wins!

Play Against a Friend or the CPU!

One of the exciting additions to this digital version is the ability to play against a CPU opponent. So, even if you don’t have someone to challenge right next to you, you can still jump in for a quick match. You can even set the CPU’s difficulty to “Normal” or “Hard” for a greater challenge!

This has been a really fun project to work on, bringing a bit of that tabletop nostalgia into the browser. It’s all client-side, meaning it runs right here in your browser with no extra setup needed.

Give it a try, experiment with different field types and formations, and see if you can out-flick your friends or the CPU! I’d love to hear what you think.

Happy flicking!