Don’t fret over Flappy Bird — these 10 games are better

If you're still feeling the effects of the recent removal of Flappy Bird from the face of the planet, well, you should probably reevaluate what's really important in your life. Also, you should get over those feelings of withdrawal, because just like any drug, Flappy Bird was never really good for you to begin with. So instead of moping over a stupidly brutal (and brutally stupid) game with no personality, you should totally check out some different options.

Here are 10 games that are more worthy of your time than Flappy Bird ever was.

Canabalt

Simple and addictive, Canabalt exemplifies the running man genre in the most inherent manner. True to this style of game, you literally control a running man, but it's the backdrop of the game that really stands out. The world is crumbling around you, or rather behind you, and it's up to you to escape for as long as possible. You're tasked with running along the rooftops of corporate buildings and making death-defying leaps to stay alive. Oh, and the music is composed by Danny Baranowski, which is to say it's super rad.

iRunner

Like most games in the genre, iRunner isn't exactly a wholly deep experience. That said, it features a few nuances that help it stand out. You've got three modes of play, including the level-based Adventure mode, which tasks you with completing specific missions such as collecting a certain number of items or reaching a high score. There's also a Quick Play mode and an endless Challenge mode. The standout is really Adventure, as it has you completing different objectives across a nice collection of stages. It's also worth noting that iRunner has a deliciously weird horn-and-piano soundtrack.

Jetpack Joyride

Jetpack Joyride could be the mobile runner game that puts all other mobile runner games to shame (um, even though it's also available on the PlayStation Network). Like Flappy Bird, tapping and flight are big parts of the experience. Unlike Flappy Bird, Jetpack Joyride is actually enjoyable. The game has you chasing the highest distance possible, but there are also power-ups, missions, and achievements thrown in for good measure. Mission variety is solid, and even after you've beaten the game, you're rewarded with even more objectives to try and tackle.

Temple Run 2

There's no denying that Temple Run 2 is a worthy successor to the original game. It's fun, offers up a lot of the same gameplay elements, and even introduces new power-ups and environmental features such as waterfalls, zip-lines, and fire jets. Oh, and if that wasn't enough, there are also mine carts, which is reason enough to jump right into this game. If the Donkey Kong series has taught us anything, it's that mine carts are indeed the most important things in the world.

Zombies, Run!

Do you remember all of those hours you spent vegetating on a chair or couch while playing Flappy Bird? Well, it's time to get up and do something about the years that doing so shaved off your life. Get up and get running (or walking) to prolong your Flappy Bird-less life. Zombies, Run! creates a virtual zombie apocalypse based on your real-life surroundings, forcing you to run (or walk) around your town while escaping the threat of the undead. Think of it as a real life runner game, only there are zombies, which makes it even cooler.

Bit.Trip Runner

By combining rhythm elements with auto-running gameplay, Bit.Trip Runner was able to cement itself as one of the most unique entries in the genre when it launched back in 2010. The game's colorful look and dynamic music make it a different kind of experience — one that any fan of the genre should check out if he or she is looking for a change of pace. Of course, if you like good games in general, Runner is just an all-around great option.

Bit.Trip Presents… Runner2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien

Speaking of things that are great, Bit.Trip Presents… Runner2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien may very well be the greatest auto-running game of all time. (I swear I'm not just saying that because I gave the game a perfect score.) Like its predecessor, the game is largely rhythm-based, prompting you to jump, duck, and kick to the beat of an incredible soundtrack. The more successful you are, the more you mold the music around you to create a brilliant, blissful, cathartic run through fantastically colorful worlds.

World Class Track Meet

Like Zombies, Run!, World Class Track Meet is all about being active and running. Bust out that Power Pad, dust off your old World Class Track Meet cartridge (or Stadium Events, if you own the rare NES cart that's on Amazon for over $2,000), and get running. Okay, so maybe this is a ridiculously old school option, but hey, it's still more notable than Flappy Bird.

Super Mario Bros. 3

I mean, why not play the game that Flappy Bird so blatantly got its visual style from? Also, Super Mario Bros. 3 is arguably the greatest platformer of all time, so there's that.

Killer7

This is probably the most bizarre pick on the list, but it's a noteworthy one nonetheless. Like a lot of the games listed above, Killer7 keeps you on an automatic path toward victory and death. It's not exactly an auto-running game, primarily because you control your characters' movement, but it's as close as the beautifully demented mind of Suda51 would get to the genre. Also, Killer7 is just a really badass, unconventional title that belongs on practically any list for absolutely no reason.

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