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What Made Flappy Bird Different?
last month by Howard
The magic of Flappy Bird was never about flashy graphics or complex mechanics. In fact, its retro look seemed ripped straight from the NES era: chunky pipes, pixelated skies, and a little bird that flapped like it had no idea how to fly.
But that simplicity was deceptive. The difficulty curve was a wall, not a slope. One wrong tap, and it was over. No checkpoints, no retries — just a score on the screen mocking you.
Unlike most games, Flappy Bird didn’t reward you with upgrades or levels. It rewarded you with frustration… and an irresistible urge to try again. That emotional loop — rage, restart, relief — is what made it unforgettable.
