Flappy Bird Has Cleared Its Last Pipe

'Flappy Bird' creator Dong Nguyen has cemented his game's legacy by deleting it from the App Store and Google Play.

Already a pop culture phenomenon, the ludicrously difficult (and addictive) game will be elevated to legendary status by its untimely demise. It's a stroke of genius on Nguyen's part — the game was most likely destined to be forgotten like a million other disposable crazes that we could revisit whenever we wanted to, but will now live in infamy.

(For his part, Nguyen claims he isn't shooting for immortality here; he just "cannot take" the harassment that's come with the game's notoriety. He also says the game's demise is "not anything related to legal issues".)

Because you can't download the game anymore, it's become one of the first 'rare' games of the modern era, and devices that have the game installed on them have become 'collectors' items'. eBay user Pindrus is believed to be the first person to auction a phone "with FLAPPY BIRD GAME INSTALLED"; the listing asks for an opening bid of $650. 

(Of course, the game's sheer popularity means it will still be installed on A LOT of devices, so it's a stretch to call it "rare" at this stage.)

It remains to be seen whether Nguyen will recreate his viral success with another game or simply fly off into the sunset, his path unimpeded by pipes. In the meantime, Twitter is in mourning.

RIP Flappy Bird 2014 - 2014

— Flappy Bird Problems (@FlappyBrdPrblmz) February 9, 2014

RIP Flappy Bird, pulled from the App Store. you flew too close to the sun, then hit a goddamn pipe 2 seconds later

— lawblob (@lawblob) February 9, 2014

So long Flappy Bird. I may have never exceeded my high score of 4, but you kept me occupied for hours. You'll be missed

— The Oregon Duck (@TheOregonDuck) February 9, 2014

we cant delete flappy bird if we did it'll be gone forever we're stuck with flappy bird forever its not over this is just the beginning

— ♡ (@i69Narry) February 9, 2014

Even the creator of flappy bird hates flappy bird.

— Sammy (@TheSammyAyala) February 9, 2014

I won't delete flappy bird and let it become a relic lost to the sands of time

— Jack McNamara (@Jack_Mac22) February 10, 2014

So, because the app was deleted, I have to refrain from Flappy Bird posts? It's like they're pretending the game never existed. #FlappyBird

— Kate Bennett (@Ktlizzy09) February 10, 2014

Why can't you understand that some people just don't want to be rich? If only more were happy living a simple life. Good job flappy bird guy

— Queen Beas (@beas_angel) February 10, 2014

I'm gonna name my kid "Flappy Bird" out of respect.

— Jack Leonard (@JackLeonard) February 9, 2014

I can't wait for Flappy Bird to stop working so nobody can ever play it again

— King God (@SlimRoman) February 10, 2014

Officially a retired flappy bird player

— B (@bryceknxtt) February 10, 2014

If my students don't realize the advanced notice of the end of #flappybird is a genius marketing ploy, I've officially failed them.

— Mrs Graham (@MrsGrahamWSHS) February 10, 2014

I sat, fireplace lit with a glass of fine scotch, brutal winter winds tormented my home as I read an old novel "Flappy Bird Success Stories"

— Luke Shai (@officiallukesky) February 10, 2014

Flappy Bird might be gone now but my children are still full of cancer from diet soda, my wife is still dead & my life is still in shambles.

— A Responsible Man (@OBiiieeee) February 9, 2014

I got to 15 on flappy bird. Still hate it.

— Ryan Stegman (@RyanStegman) February 9, 2014

Flappy bird deleted from the App Store. It was too much. R.I.P. little satan bird. You caused us much pain but we loved you

— Cocaine Cola (@SatansTongue) February 9, 2014

When will Channel Nine screen the telemovie about the persecution of Flappy Bird?

— Jeff Sparrow (@Jeff_Sparrow) February 9, 2014

flappy bird was removed from the app store making the world a better place one step at a time

— gia yo (@larrywhut) February 9, 2014

In hindsight, leaving IGN to become head of marketing for Flappy Bird may not have been my best move.

— Andrew Goldfarb (@garfep) February 9, 2014

When Dark Souls 2 comes out, what if it's just a $60 disc with Flappy Bird on it?

— Chris Suellentrop (@suellentrop) February 10, 2014

i'll stop playing flappy bird when the guy who made it personally rips my phone from my lifeless hands and smashes it on the ground

— Matt Bellassai (@MattBellassai) February 9, 2014

And finally, @flipflapman says what we've all been thinking.

@dongatory You’re the Kurt Cobain of our generation.

— Flip Flap Man (@flipflapman) February 8, 2014