10 Video Games Popular Franchises Stole From

Flappy Bird is a mobile side-scroller where the player needs to navigate around green pipes without getting hit. Despite the game's simplistic concept, Flappy Bird became popular almost instantly. However, the creator, Dong Nguyen, suddenly took Flappy Bird off the App Store, stating he felt guilty that children were becoming addicted to the game.

Or so he claimed. It was speculated the real reason Nguyen had Flappy Bird removed was because the graphics and sound effects were too similar to the Super Mario series, causing Nintendo to threaten legal action. However, there is no evidence to back this up.

Shortly after, Vietnamese newspapers pointed out that Flappy Bird was suspiciously similar to another game called Piou Piou vs Cactus. Not only is the concept the same in Flappy Bird and Piou Piou vs Cactus but the protagonist in both games is a yellow bird with a red beak who must dodge green obstacles.

Naturally, Nguyen denies that he stole his idea and claims he never heard of Piou Piou vs Cactus. However, since he inarguably stole the sound effects and green pipes from Super Mario for Flappy Bird, it's pretty difficult to give him the benefit of a doubt.