In 2014, a simple mobile game took the world by storm: Flappy Bird. With its 8-bit graphics, frustrating gameplay, and addictive mechanics, the game skyrocketed to the top of app store charts. Then, seemingly overnight, it vanished—sparking confusion, rumors, and one big question: Why is Flappy Bird banned?
Let’s explore the real reasons behind the game's removal, clear up common misconceptions, and answer why many people mistakenly believe Flappy Bird was banned.
🐤 What Was Flappy Bird?
Flappy Bird was developed by Dong Nguyen, a Vietnamese indie game developer under his studio .GEARS. Released in 2013, the game challenged players to tap their screen to keep a bird airborne while navigating between Mario-style green pipes.
The game went viral in early 2014, topping the Apple App Store and Google Play Store charts. It became a cultural phenomenon—despite (or because of) its extreme difficulty. At its peak, Flappy Bird was generating $50,000 a day in ad revenue.
❓ Was Flappy Bird Actually Banned?
Despite widespread belief, Flappy Bird was never officially banned by any app store or government. The game was voluntarily removed by its creator, Dong Nguyen, on February 9, 2014.
The word “banned” might be used frequently online, but technically, the game was taken down—not banned. No legal action, store policy, or official restriction forced the game offline.
💬 Why Did People Think Flappy Bird Was Banned?
Several rumors and misconceptions contributed to the belief that Flappy Bird was banned:
1. Copyright Concerns
Flappy Bird’s visual elements—especially the green pipes—looked very similar to those in Nintendo’s Super Mario Bros. Many speculated that Nintendo issued a copyright strike, forcing the game off the market.
However, Nintendo publicly denied taking any legal action. Dong Nguyen also clarified that he took the game down voluntarily, not due to copyright issues.
2. Addiction and Mental Health Concerns
The game’s high difficulty made it incredibly addictive. Some players were reportedly breaking their phones out of frustration, and parents raised concerns about children becoming obsessed.
Nguyen said in interviews that he felt guilty about the game’s impact, and that it was distracting users from living normal lives. He didn’t want to be responsible for promoting an unhealthy addiction.
3. Media Overexposure
Dong Nguyen, a modest and private person, was overwhelmed by the global attention. He began receiving endless interview requests, media scrutiny, and personal pressure. The fame became too much, and removing the game was a way for him to step away.
🧠 What Dong Nguyen Said
In a tweet just before removing the game, Nguyen wrote:
“I am sorry Flappy Bird users, 22 hours from now, I will take Flappy Bird down. I cannot take this anymore.”
In a Forbes interview, he elaborated:
“Flappy Bird was designed to play in a few minutes when you are relaxed. But it happened to become an addictive product. I think it has become a problem.”
This shows that Flappy Bird wasn’t banned—it was a personal decision based on ethics and emotional well-being.
📱 What Happened After Flappy Bird Was Taken Down?
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Phones with Flappy Bird installed were listed on eBay for thousands of dollars.
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The app was cloned by thousands of developers, flooding the market with copycats.
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Nguyen released new titles, including Swing Copters and Flappy Birds Family for Amazon Fire TV.
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He remains a respected name in indie game development, even though he largely stepped out of the public eye.