POINPY, the charming vertical climber that went dark after its removal from Netflix last June, is now available for free on iOS and Android — no subscription, no ads, no paid unlocks, just the full game.
A second chance for a Netflix exclusive
Ojiro Fumoto, the developer behind critically acclaimed titles like Downwell and UFO50, announced the surprise revival on BlueSky. “POINPY IS BACK! And now it's FREE!” Fumoto wrote. “No ads, no paid unlocks, just the full game. There's a tip option if you feel like it. Available NOW on iOS and Android!”
For those who missed it the first time, POINPY is a vertical climber in the vein of the classic Doodle Jump. You guide a balloon-like character upward through vibrant, hand-drawn environments, dodging obstacles and collecting items. The game originally launched in 2022 exclusively through Netflix’s growing games library, which at the time included ambitious titles and indies alike.
Why this matters for players
Netflix’s gaming push was, for a moment, genuinely exciting. The service secured exclusives like POINPY, 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim on mobile, and even the AI: The Somnium Files series. But as the company quietly walked back its investment, many of these titles became inaccessible. POINPY was delisted in June 2024, leaving anyone who hadn't downloaded it in time with no way to play.
Now, the game is not only playable again — it's completely free. No data tracking, no microtransactions. Fumoto included a tip option for those who want to support the developer, but the experience is identical for everyone. That’s a rare and welcome move in a mobile landscape dominated by gacha mechanics and subscription walls.
The broader trend of "de-shackled" exclusives
POINPY’s revival fits a growing pattern. As streaming platforms and subscription services tighten their belts, we're seeing formerly locked content find new life outside those walls. Some Netflix exclusives have simply vanished, but a few, like POINPY and AI: The Somnium Files - nirvanA Initiative, are being rescued by their creators. It's a hopeful sign for preservation — and a reminder that digital exclusivity is fragile.
Fumoto’s approach is especially generous. Rather than re-list the game with a price tag or a paid premium tier, he chose to release it as a passion project. The tip jar is optional, and the game carries no ads. It's hard to imagine a better outcome for a game that might otherwise have been lost to time.
What about the other Netflix exclusives?
The question now is whether other developers will follow suit. Netflix’s game library still holds some real gems — including the acclaimed Absolum and several other indie darlings — but their future is uncertain. As the streaming giant continues to pivot away from gaming, players are left wondering which titles will survive and which will simply disappear.
For now, POINPY is a win. It’s free, it’s cross-platform, and it’s a genuinely fun little game. If you have an Android or iOS device, there’s no reason not to grab it. You can download it from the App Store and Google Play right now.
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