Summary
- Flappy Bird returns after 10 years on Epic Games Store with new features and modes.
- The developer promises more releases within the "Flappy Bird ecosystem," hinting at a possible iOS port.
- The enhanced version features new Quest Mode, characters, and obstacles, appealing to nostalgia for the 2010s.
An updated version of the classic mobile game Flappy Bird has been released on the Epic Games Store. After a decade of relative silence from the simple-but-addictive series, a new developer has taken on the mantle and is making bold moves with the Flappy Bird brand.
The first iteration of the infamous title was created in 2013 by Vietnamese developer Dong Nguyen. It became a viral sensation in the following year, amassing over 90 million downloads across iOS and Android platforms. The considerable media attention that Flappy Bird received often leaned into the negative, which led to Nguyen removing the game from app stores in early 2014. Since then, he has lost the trademark to the Flappy Bird name, and it has been acquired by an independent organization that recently developed an enhanced reboot of the title.
Flappy Bird is Making a Comeback After 10 Years
After being pulled from mobile stores a decade ago, the addictive hit title Flappy Bird is finally making its way back to people's phones.
The Flappy Bird Foundation celebrated the game’s re-release in a post on Twitter. As of now, the new and improved version is only available on Android devices through the Epic Games Store, but official advertising materials from FBF promise future releases in the "Flappy Bird ecosystem." This may be referring to a possible iOS port, although communication on the topic has been unclear.
Flappy Bird Gets New Characters, Modes, and More
Regardless, the new edition of Flappy Bird features several significant changes from the original. In addition to the standard Classic Mode, there is an all-new Quest Mode with a Mario Bros-esque world map. The game also offers many cosmetic options, including a bevy of playable characters and obstacles. The wide-ranging selection of aesthetics is reminiscent of the variegated clone games that were popular back when the original Flappy Bird was still available. This design choice, along with trailers that include clips of old YouTube creators, makes it clear that nostalgia for the 2010s is playing a big factor in the Epic Games Store release.
This is not the first time that game developers have attempted to capitalize on the brand recognition of the original title. In fact, it’s not even the first time that the Flappy Bird Foundation has tried to. In late 2024, it released a different rendition of the game on the instant messaging app Telegram. This version implemented controversial cryptocurrency support, causing Dong Nguyen to explicitly distance himself from the project.
The re-release of Flappy Bird follows a trend of other classic game series, especially mobile game series, returning to (app) store shelves after lengthy hiatuses. In 2022, for example, the original Angry Birds was brought back to iOS and Android devices. Flappy Bird Foundation seemingly has grand ambitions for its adopted franchise, so it’s likely there will be more Flappy Bird announcements in the near future.
- Released
- May 24, 2013
- ESRB
- e
- Developer(s)
- .Gears
- Publisher(s)
- .Gears
- Engine
- AndEngine
WHERE TO PLAY
Flappy Bird is an arcade mobile game that was released in 2013. The game was panned by critics but became a huge hit a few months after it was released, with its poor gameplay proving to be surprisingly addictive.
The game's creator suddenly made the game unavailable to purchase in February 2014, though the game returned in August of the same year on Amazon Fire TV.
