Item: Pigeon Wings
Rating: 92
Author: Dinsun

Our Site Score

92/100

Pigeon Wings is a dizzying, high-speed masterpiece that feels like a cross between a classic arcade shooter and a precision racer. The tilt controls are some of the best I've ever used on mobile—they are incredibly sensitive without being twitchy, which is vital when you're weaving through narrow tunnels at 200mph. The sense of speed is genuine and often breath-taking.

The art style is charmingly retro, but the physics and gameplay loop are purely modern. The story is surprisingly engaging for a game about a pigeon pilot, adding a layer of humor that balances the intense difficulty of the later levels. It’s a 'just one more try' kind of game that rewards muscle memory and pure focus. If you miss the era of high-octane arcade racers, Pigeon Wings is a mandatory play.

Reviewed on: Fri Feb 27 2026

Dinsun Review

I didn't expect to like this. A pigeon in a plane? It sounds like more mobile garbage. But Pigeon Wings is actually great. The sense of speed is genuine, and the tilt controls are some of the best I've ever used—actually precise, which is a miracle.

The art style is unique and charming without being 'cute' in an annoying way. It’s hard, too. You will crash, and you will need to learn the tracks. It’s a proper arcade game that rewards skill rather than how much money you spend. I’m impressed.

Overall Stats

Pros & Cons

Incredible sense of speed
Precise tilt controls
Charming art style

Can be frustratingly difficult
Short campaign
Tilt-only might not suit everyone

Technical Report

Performance: Very smooth 60fps. Zero lag.

Accessibility:

Audience Fit

Buy if: You want a high-speed arcade challenge that feels fresh.

Skip if: You hate tilt controls or have a low frustration tolerance.

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Reviewer Context

Reviewer: Dinsun
Hardware: iPhone 15
Playtime: 8 hours
Status: Completed all levels

The Game

Available on: Apple TV, iPhone, iPad, iPod

998389373

$1.99 9+★4.8 678 reviews

Author : Ignacio Schiefelbein

Pubish Date : Tue Aug 01 2017

Last Update Date : Wed Dec 09 2020

Support Languages : English, Simplified Chinese, Spanish

Genres :

Version 1.226Wed Dec 09 2020

Fixed layout for iPhone 12
A mysterious aeronautics titan is bent on destroying East Megalopolis and Pigeon's the only bird who can stop him. Join General Exposition, battle the devious pilot XO-9999, and prove that Pigeon ain't no chicken nugget!
-Race, shoot and boost your way through 50 levels of crushing speed.
-Tough. As. Nails. Get ready to hit restart!
-Unlock engine upgrades to squeeze by the competition
-New music by June or July and Brad Podray
-Optimized for iPhone, iPad and Apple TV
Requires iOS 9.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
"Games like Pigeon Wings are what mobile gaming is all about..." - TouchArcade
A mysterious aeronautics titan is bent on destroying East Megalopolis and Pigeon's the only bird who can stop him. Join General Exposition, battle the devious pilot XO-9999, and prove that Pigeon ain't no chicken nugget!
-Race, shoot and boost your way through 50 levels of crushing speed.
-Tough. As. Nails. Get ready to hit restart!
-Unlock engine upgrades to squeeze by the competition
-Endless mode
-New music by June or July and Brad Podray
-Optimized for iPhone, iPad and Apple TV
"A superb, silly, playable slice of arcade racing that's aviary good game." - Stuff
"how can anyone resist a game where a pigeon is all that stands between a city and total annihilation?" - AppAdvice

Ratings & Reviews

4.8 out of 5 with 678 Counts

★★★★★

Age Rating 9+

Pigeon Wings is a high-speed arcade racer where you play as a pigeon pilot trying to save the city. Featuring 20+ levels of intense aerial combat and racing, you'll need lightning-fast reflexes to survive. Use the most responsive tilt controls on the App Store to weave through traffic, blast enemies, and conquer epic bosses in a quest for the ultimate high score.

Features

Ultra-responsive tilt controls

Fast-paced arcade racing

Over 20 hand-crafted levels

Massive boss fights

Secret unlockable characters

Tips

Mastering the Tilt

Hold your device like a steering wheel. Small, subtle tilts are better for maintaining speed through curves, while sharp tilts are reserved for dodging sudden obstacles.

Promotion Videos

Pigeon Wings: iOS iPhone Gameplay Walkthrough (by Ignacio Schiefelbein) - YouTube

News on this game

'Pigeon Wings' is an EXTREMELY Fast Side-Scrolling Racer with Pigeons that's Coming Soon – TouchArcade

Way back in July of 2015, indie developer Ignacio Schiefelbein in collaboration with Kris Hattori announced a fast-paced side-scrolling...

TouchArcade - Sat Feb 02 2019

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Macworld - Wed Dec 02 2020

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iPhones and iPads boast such a wide selection of games, it can be quite overwhelming for any new device owner. Thankfully, there are plenty of great free...

The Independent - Sat Sep 02 2023