I read about Flappy Bird when I guess the creator pulled it off the market temporarily because people were having addiction issues with it- I decided then I better never get Flappy Bird, because I do get hooked on games. But- I see your analogy! It really can be a roller coaster.
I have no idea how the game was addictive. I found it absolutely infuriating. Stupid flappy bird... that flaps too much. My high score was a grand total of 9. I have students that have high scores in the 100s, and I am absolutely amazed.
Ugh. After coming off an evening of 4 1/2 hours of Bejeweled (which I am erasing tonight), the last thing I need is to even look at Flappy Bird. Clearly, me and my iPad "need some space."