Yes, there are still ways to download and play the original Flappy Bird game in 2023. Flappy Bird was a viral mobile game released in 2013 by developer Dong Nguyen. The game was quickly removed from app stores in 2014 at the height of its popularity, but APK files allow Android users to still download and play Flappy Bird if they know where to look.
What is Flappy Bird?
Flappy Bird is an arcade-style mobile game originally released on iOS and Android in May 2013. The gameplay is simple – players tap the screen to make the bird flap its wings and navigate through a series of green pipes without hitting them. The bird automatically descends and only ascends when the screen is tapped. The goal is to make it through as many pipe gaps as possible without colliding.
The pipes become taller the further the player progresses, making it increasingly difficult to navigate through the gaps. The game tracks the number of pipes the player successfully passes through and awards a point for each one. If the bird hits a pipe or the ground, the game ends.
Flappy Bird’s Sudden Popularity and Removal
When it was first launched, Flappy Bird received little attention. But in early 2014, the game suddenly went viral, especially in markets like the United States and India. It’s unclear exactly what sparked its surge in popularity, but Flappy Bird started appearing at the top of app download charts and was reportedly earning $50,000 a day in ad revenue at its peak.
However, creator Dong Nguyen decided to remove Flappy Bird from app stores on February 10, 2014, citing negative press over its addictive nature and the heavy burden of its popularity. Since the game was already downloaded over 50 million times by that point, many users still had the app installed on their devices even after removal.
Is the Original Flappy Bird Game Still Available?
No, Flappy Bird is no longer available from any official app stores like Google Play Store for Android or the App Store for iOS. The developer also requested that existing versions be removed from app stores. So the only way to still download Flappy Bird now is through unofficial APK files from third-party sources.
Can I Download Flappy Bird APK in 2023?
Yes, it’s still possible to download a Flappy Bird APK file in 2023 to play the original game, though users should be cautious about malware risks from unauthorized sources.
Here are a few options to safely download Flappy Bird APK:
- APK Mirror – This website hosts verified APK files across multiple app versions. It has the authentic Flappy Bird APK (v1.3).
- APKPure – Another trusted source for APKs. Look for the verified Flappy Bird APK on this site.
- Amazon Appstore – Amazon actually still hosts the original Flappy Bird in its appstore for Amazon devices like Fire tablets.
Before installing any APK, be sure to go to Settings > Security on your Android device and enable “Install Unknown Apps” permission. This allows installing apps from sources outside the Google Play Store.
How to Install Flappy Bird APK on Android
Here are step-by-step instructions to install Flappy Bird using the APK file on an Android device:
- Download the Flappy Bird APK file from a trusted source like APKMirror.
- On your Android device, go to Settings > Security and enable “Install Unknown Apps”.
- Locate the downloaded APK file on your device’s storage. It may be in “Downloads”.
- Tap the APK file. When prompted, tap “Install”.
- The app will ask for various permissions. Grant all permissions.
- Flappy Bird will now be installed on your device. Open it and enjoy!
Gameplay Features of Flappy Bird
Here are some key gameplay elements that made Flappy Bird so addictive and challenging:
Simple, Retro Graphics and Sounds
Flappy Bird uses basic pixel art for its graphics. The bird and pipe sprites are colorful and simple, reminiscent of retro arcade games. This simplicity added to the game’s charm. The sounds are also quirky 8-bit beeps.
One-Tap Controls
The only control in Flappy Bird is tapping the screen to make the bird flap and fly upwards. Tapping any spot on the screen results in the same upward flapping motion. This one-touch control scheme is part of what made the game so accessible.
Procedurally Generated Pipes
The green pipes are procedurally generated as the player progresses. This means the pipe patterns and gaps are randomly generated in real-time rather than pre-designed. The player can never predict the next pipe layout, keeping the challenge fresh.
High Difficulty Curve
Flappy Bird gets extremely difficult within the first 10-20 pipes. The gap between pipes keeps narrowing, requiring expert timing and reflexes. This steep challenge curve resulted in a lot of early player deaths and retries.
Global Leaderboards
The game connected to global leaderboards so players could compete for high scores. Seeing friends and players around the world outscoring you added motivation to keep retrying to get farther.
Flappy Bird Scoring System
Flappy Bird uses a simple scoring system based on how many pipes the player passes through:
- Passing through each pipe cleanly earns 1 point.
- Points increment by 1 for each additional pipe passed.
- Points are permanently lost when crashing into a pipe.
- High scores are ranked globally on leaderboards.
Here is an example points table as a player progresses:
Pipes Passed | Score |
---|---|
1 | 1 |
2 | 2 |
3 | 3 |
4 | 4 |
5 | 5 |
The scoring system creates motivation to keep playing to set new personal high scores and compete on the global leaderboard.
Conclusion
Despite being removed from app stores years ago, Flappy Bird lives on thanks to preserved APK files. Nostalgic Android users can still RELIVE the viral sensation by downloading Flappy Bird’s APK in 2023. Just be sure to use a trusted source and enable install permissions. Once installed, enjoy the simple yet infuriatingly difficult gameplay that sparked an obsession. Compete for high scores or just experience a piece of mobile gaming history.