Flicky^[a] is a platform game developed by Sega and released as an arcade video game in May 1984. It was licensed to Bally Midway for distribution in the United States. In Flicky, the player controls the eponymous blue bird and must gather all the small birds called Chirps in each round and bring them safely to the exit. There are cat and lizard enemies which can disperse the Chirps and kill the player, but it can use items on the playing field to protect herself and the Chirps from danger.

The idea for Flicky came from Sega senior leadership, who wanted to exceed the success of Namco‘s Mappy (1983). Yoji Ishii and Yoshiki Kawasaki developed Flicky at Sega over one year. Originally, the game simply had the player catch ambiguous dots in a maze.

It was first ported to the SG-1000 in Japan, and then later to other Japanese home consoles. In 1991, Flicky was released in North America and Europe on the Sega Genesis. The character has made cameo appearances in other Sega games, most notably within the Sonic the Hedgehog series.

Gameplay – Flicky

Flicky is a platform game in which the player takes control of a flightless blue bird named Flicky. With only the ability to run side-to-side and jump, the player must collect all the small, yellow birds called “Chirps” and take them to the exit to clear each round.^[1] According to game artist Yoshiki Kawasaki, is just a friend to the Chirps although some players may think she is a mother to them.^[2]

The Chirps in a chain until they are collected at the exit.^[1] Bonus points are awarded for bringing multiple Chirps back in a single chain.^[3] There are 48 total stages. Each stage takes place on a single wraparound screen that scrolls horizontally with Flicky always in the center. After all the stages are completed, the game loops infinitely on an increased difficulty mode.^[1]

Collected Chirps will disperse if their chain comes in contact with an enemy.^[1] Some of the chirps wear sunglasses; these chirps behave more unpredictably when dispersed.^[1] There are two enemy types in the standard rounds, house cats called Tigers and green iguanas called Iggys.

These enemies can be simply avoided but can also be defeated with throwable items available on some levels. These items include telephones, flower pots, cups, and bottles. It can pick up an item by walking into it, and throw it by jumping. Sometimes diamonds may appear, which cannot be thrown but rather provide bonus points.^[3] There are also bonus rounds in which attempts to catch as many falling Chirps as possible in a net.^[3]

Bonus Round

Main BGM

Title Theme

Round Clear

Player Down