Flappy Bird returning in 2025 after decade-long hiatus: 'I'm refreshed, reinvigorated'

Flappy Bird is returning to iOS and Android devices after a decade-long hiatus and will include new characters and new game modes.

The mobile game will be back in 2025, according to its trailer and website. After having huge success following its launch in 2013, the game was taken off the App Store and Google Play a year later by its developer, Dong Nguyen, who believed it was becoming too addictive.

“Flappy Birdwas designed to play in a few minutes when you are relaxed,” Nguyen told Forbes in 2014. “But it happened to become an addictive product. I think it has become a problem. To solve that problem, it's best to take down Flappy Bird. It's gone forever."

The popular game is not "gone forever" due to the Flappy Bird Foundation, a group composed of some of the game's fans, acquiring the official Flappy Bird trademark from Gametech Holdings LLC, according to a news release obtained by IGN and Engadget. Nguyen either lost or gave the rights to Gametech Holdings LLC over the last decade, the outlet reported.

Nguyen, who revealed he was making $50,000 per day from advertising, has remained out of the spotlight since he pulled the game off of digital marketplaces.

Flappy Bird announced comeback in trailer

The Flappy Bird Foundation dropped a 1-minute trailer on Wednesday, offering fans a glimpse of what's to come.

"We are beyond excited to be bringing back Flappy Bird and delivering a fresh experience that will keep players engaged for years to come," Michael Roberts, the chief creative behind Flappy Bird’s return said in the release. “We have big plans for our little Bird!”

What's new in the 2025 version of Flappy Bird?

According to the Flappy Bird website, users will be able to play with brand-new characters, including a three-eyed bird named Trixy, a penguin named Peng, a bird with a unicorn named Quirky and a robot bird named Tekno.

The game will allow users to play different game modes as well, including a basketball shooting game, a more competitive mode and a practice mode.

"Just a decade ago, I was the talk of the town and soaring to new heights with my 100 million friends," the game's website says. "Sadly, I had to leave the fame and spotlight behind to go home and find out who I really am. Thanks to my super Flappy Bird fans, I’m refreshed, reinvigorated, and ready to soar again, The decade-long mission involved acquiring legal rights and even working with my predecessor to uncage me and rehatch the official Flappy Bird game!"