Flappy Bird Falls…But Other Games Continue to Soar

 

Immersing yourself in the world of mobile gaming is always a good way to take a short break from the realities of your daily life. Those long business meetings suddenly seem so much shorter when you’re able to intermittently escape your boss’ monotonous monologue by playing a stage or two of your favorite game. So, too, does that seemingly never-ending train ride that you have to endure at least two times for the day. I’m sure you’ll agree that it’s really hard to imagine living in a world in which mobile games didn’t exist. The fact that mobile gaming apps consistently remain among the most heavily downloaded monthly is a clear indication that millions of other folks also share this sentiment. Since the start of 2014, one particular game has grabbed most of the headlines: Flappy Bird.

 

The Rise and Fall of Flappy Bird

 

When it was released in May 2013, there were very few people who could’ve predicted that the unassuming Flappy Bird mobile game would’ve gone on to achieve the elevated level of popularity that it eventually did. However, within the space of a few short months, the game had managed to attain cult status among millions of fans in the United States and around the world. For some, its charm resided in the fact that it looked and felt like a throwback to a bygone era in the history of gaming. (There was not a 3-D character or complicated storyline in sight.) For others, surprisingly, it was the fact that it was so difficult to get “Flappy” through the Mario Bros.-like obstacle course that players had to navigate. As it turned out, it was this same tidal wave of publicity that eventually led to the original version of the game being withdrawn from both Apple’s App Store and Google Play by its developer.

 

 

The game’s popularity increased exponentially during the early part of 2014. As its profile increased, so did the attention that critics focused on it. Critiques of its design and the gaming experience that players were able to enjoy soon started flooding in from various quarters. So, too, did the reports that many fans were seemingly becoming addicted to playing the game. (Many of the Flappy Bird-inspired viral video rants that are still floating around on video-sharing websites such as YouTube speak volumes about how obsessed some people still are with the game.) According to the game’s developer Dong Nguyen, this was ultimately the factor that prompted him to remove the game from the various online app stores to which fans had been flocking to get their Flappy Bird fix.

 

 

Other Popular Mobile Games for You

 

Okay, so the original version of Flappy Bird isn’t available for download anymore. (Of course, there really is no way to tell for sure that Nguyen won’t eventually have a change of heart.) In the interim, however, fans of the withdrawn game can still enjoy a number of other popular mobile games. In the unlikely event that you haven’t yet downloaded any of them, this might just be the perfect time to discover what they’re all about. Here’s a quick look at three of these options:

 

 

• Ironpants

 

This game is a good option for anyone who wasn’t quick enough to get in on a download of the original version of Flappy Bird. In many respects, it is quite similar to the recently withdrawn title. The look and feel of both games is very similar. So, too, is the mission that you’ll take on when you go up, up, and away with the game’s caped feature character. The fact that you’re required to navigate your way through an obstacle course at relatively higher speeds actually makes it a bit more challenging than its more famous counterpart.

 

 

 

• Candy Crush Saga

 

There are a number of very good reasons why Candy Crush Saga has been so popular for such a long time. However, for many players, much of its appeal lies in the fact that it’s so easy to play. As with most other logic-based tile-matching games, it really doesn’t take much for you to get fully into the swing of things. There are even tutorials to help you out in the unlikely event that you find yourself stuck in a rut. You, like millions of others, might also find it attractive because it’s very colorful and vibrant.

 

 

• Temple Run

 

You’ll probably love Temple Run if you were captivated by the sense of adventure and ever-present danger that characterized the Indiana Jones movies. This classic endless running game casts you in the role of an intrepid explorer – like Indiana Jones. It takes you on a high-octane thrill ride that sees you snatching ancient artifacts and staying one step ahead of a troop of maniacal monkeys.

 

 

The Parting Shot

 

A lot of very interesting developments have happened in the world of mobile gaming over the last few months. We’ve seen Flappy Bird’s meteoric rise. Unfortunately, we’ve also seen its withdrawal from all of the online outlets that so many people have gone to get their personal downloads. Despite these dramatic changes, many things have remained the same. Many of the classic games we’ve grown to love are still thrilling players all around the world.

 

Flappy Bird Falls…But Other Games Continue to Soar