The life and death of the popular app Flappy Bird passed by as quickly as the bird for which it is named. For those lucky enough to experience it, the app was both magnetic and exasperating, but most of all it was weird. This is a tribute to weird apps that came before and since Flappy Bird — apps that have a certain draw and ability to charm.

Dumb Ways to Die

Dumb Ways to Die was put together as part of a public service announcement campaign by a rail system in Australia and follows up a YouTube video of the same name. In the app, the player guides bean-shaped characters through life-threatening situations, some of which involve trains and others that involve bears, wasps and toasters. But, be careful! If you don’t put the mustard on the hot dog just right, the snake will attack your eyeball.

The Walking Dead: Dead Yourself

This app appeals more to “The Walking Dead” fans than just any average Joe interested in zombies because it uses show-specific props, such as Daryl’s arrows and Michonne’s katana. But, you don’t have to watch the show to appreciate this weird app. Those props are optional, and the ability to easily readjust the “dead” eyes and mouths onto a picture of your face (or a loved one’s!) can make for a realistic zombie look without having to spend hours applying makeup.

Shuriken Block

Developed by Dong Nguyen, the same guy who made Flappy Bird,  Shuriken Block rivals Flappy Bird in terms of terrible graphics and superb difficulty. The player has to keep an eye on the shuriken, or Japanese throwing weapons, catapulting over the horizon so he or she can tap them out of the sky before they puncture the little men standing in the foreground. It’s more violent than Flappy Bird, but frustrating all the same.

Bread Puppies

One might think Bread Puppies is all about puppies baking bread. Wrong. The player controls a chef who bakes bread that acts as both puppy armor and a capturing device for puppies. There’s no ill will about catching the puppies, either. Bread Puppies is like Pokémon, except that the puppies are the Pokémon, and the bread are the Pokéballs. See for yourself.

Splashy Fish

People might soon forget about Flappy Bird now that Splashy Fish is out. OK maybe not, but this faux-Flappy has eight-bit graphics and a difficulty level similar to that of Flappy Bird as well as all new golden collectibles. The best part: Players can experience this unique gameplay in a whole new underwater environment. Splashy Fish acts as the perfect substitute for Flappy Bird because it is barely distinguishable from it, but it is different for all the right reasons.

Contact Patrick Williams at [email protected]