Flappy Bird is a smartphone game created by Vietnamese developer Dong Nguyen and launched in 2013. The game rapidly achieved extensive popularity due to its captivating gameplay and uncomplicated principles, but also attracted controversy and scrutiny for its challenging nature and capacity to induce frustration.

Flappy Bird is a game where players manipulate a diminutive avian creature and guide it through a sequence of pipes that contain openings. The goal is to go through the openings without making contact with the pipes or the ground, necessitating accurate timing and synchronization. Scoring points is contingent upon successfully passing through each gap, with the objective being to attain the maximum score achievable.

Flappy Bird is notably challenging, which is one of its defining features. The game is renowned for its merciless gameplay, as players frequently grapple with the challenge of maintaining the bird's flight and evading obstacles. Consequently, numerous players developed a strong dependency on the game, striving to surpass their own or others' impressive scores, and subsequently broadcasting their accomplishments on various social media platforms.

Flappy Bird gained recognition for its minimalist graphics, characterized by pixel art and basic animations, which evoked a vintage and nostalgic atmosphere. In 2014, Dong Nguyen, the developer of the game, decided to take Flappy Bird from the app stores. He stated that the game's addictive qualities and the detrimental effect it had on his personal life were the reasons behind this decision. Nevertheless, the game's widespread appeal and enduring influence persisted, prompting the creation of several imitations and derivative works by other developers.

Flappy Bird is widely recognized as a cultural phenomenon that captivated the interest of countless players globally, despite its demanding and exasperating gameplay. Furthermore, it has generated debates regarding game design, dependency, and the influence of mobile games on mental well-being, rendering it a significant and unforgettable contribution to the chronicles of mobile gaming.