After more than a decade away from mobile storefronts, the iconic tap-to-flap game Flappy Bird has returned with a new Android release via the Epic Games Store.
But unlike its controversial crypto-infused Telegram iteration from last year, this version arrives with a clear distinction, clarifying it is strictly Web2.
The reboot is branded a ‘Web2-only’ game by its developers. It brings back the game’s addictively simple mechanics in both Classic and a new Quest mode, while definitively distancing itself from any blockchain integration or token economy.
Flappy Bird was originally launched in 2013 by Vietnamese developer Dong Nguyen.
It became a pop culture phenomenon, racking up over 90m downloads being abruptly removed from app stores in 2014.
Nguyen cited guilt over the game’s addictive nature and public pressure as reasons for the takedown.
Years later, the Flappy Bird trademark was acquired by Gametech Holdings, LLC, after Nguyen failed to maintain it.
This led to the creation of the Flappy Bird Foundation, which debuted a new version of the game on Telegram in 2024. However, this time, it is integrated with The Open Network (TON) and accompanied by a planned FLAP token.
However, the crypto version sparked immediate backlash. Nguyen broke a seven-year social media silence to disavow the project, asserting he had no ties to the foundation and declaring, “I also don’t support crypto.”
Despite its attempt to align with successful Telegram-based GameFi trends, such as Notcoin and Hamster Kombat, Flappy Bird’s Web3 revival failed to achieve similar traction.
Mining for the FLAP token ultimately concluded quietly in April 2025, with no official airdrop or launch announcement.
A Web2-Only Return: No Tokens, No Blockchain
The Flappy Bird developers, operating under a newly created Flappy Bird Publishing subsidiary, explicitly state that the app “will never have any Web3 elements,” relying solely on traditional monetization via ads and in-app purchases.
The game features Classic mode, which stays faithful to the original pipe-dodging gameplay, and a new Quest mode that introduces fresh challenges and characters across themed worlds.
In a post on X, the foundation clarified that “any Web3 game claiming to be the official Flappy Bird Web3 game is a scam,” and reiterated that no FLAP token currently exists.
While Flappy Bird Publishing haven’t ruled out future Web3 initiatives, the company promised any updates would be shared from official channels.