Hitster Flying Mic: the music game with a flying microphone
Hitster Flying Mic is a new spin on the hit music game where you hear a song, race to grab a flying microphone, and take on a challenge to win the card. Here's how it plays, how it differs from the original, and where to get it.
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Play the same guess the song and place the year game free on your phone with Tunigma, no flying mic and no cards to scan.
Hitster Flying Mic is a new edition of Hitster, the music party game from Jumbo, and it adds a fast, physical twist to the usual guess the song and place the year formula. The headline feature is right there in the name: a microphone that flies through the air and decides who gets to answer. It launched on 1 September 2026 and is out now.
What is Hitster Flying Mic?
At its core it's still Hitster: you listen to a song and place it on a shared timeline in the right spot by the year it came out, building a run of correctly ordered tracks. Flying Mic keeps that timeline at the heart of the game but turns each song into a race. Everyone competes to answer first, and you have to physically grab the flying microphone before you're allowed to. It rewards a good ear and fast hands in equal measure, and it plays louder and more like a party than the original.
How a round works
Each round runs through a short loop:
- Play the song. Someone scans a music card with the free Hitster app and the track starts playing.
- Send the mic flying. The moment you think you know the answer, hit the button and the microphone shoots up into the air.
- Catch it. Whoever grabs the flying mic earns the right to answer, so a slow hand can pass the moment to someone faster.
- Take the challenge. Complete a musical task to win the card.
- Place it on the timeline. Slot the song into the correct spot by release year to keep it.
Rounds are brisk, so nobody sits idle between turns. The task you get once you have the mic is where a lot of the fun lives.
The musical challenges
Catching the mic is only half the job. Once it's in your hands, you take on a musical challenge, which can be:
- Naming the song's title or the artist.
- Saying whether the track is by a solo artist or a group.
- Humming the melody so your own team can name the song.
Land the challenge and your team claims the card; miss it and the song stays up for grabs. That's how a timeline fills up fast, or stalls out.
How you win
Flying Mic is usually played in teams, and it wraps up a little sooner than the classic game. The first team to correctly place eight songs on its timeline wins, so knowing the music only gets you so far without the fast hands to reach the mic first.
How it differs from the original Hitster
If you've played Hitster before, the timeline will feel familiar. What's new is the flying microphone and the scramble it creates, the challenges you complete to earn a card, and a shorter finish at eight songs. For the classic rules, tokens, and other editions, see the full guide on how to play Hitster. Here's how the main Hitster formats stack up:
| Feature | Hitster Flying Mic | Original Hitster | Hitster Bingo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core idea | Build a timeline by release year | Build a timeline by release year | Mark songs on a bingo card |
| The twist | Grab the flying mic, then take a challenge | Steady, one-at-a-time turns | Race to complete a line |
| Win condition | First team to place 8 songs | First to place 10 songs | Complete a line |
| Players | 2 to 10 | 2 to 10 | Group play |
| Best for | Fast, active parties | Classic music quiz nights | A quick change of pace |
Who it's for
Flying Mic is built for lively groups. It suits parties, family game nights, and anyone who likes a mix of music, competition, and a bit of chaos. Because catching the mic rewards speed as much as trivia, it levels the field between the resident music buff and everyone else. The 16 and up age rating and the grab-the-mic action make it a party centerpiece rather than a sit-down quiz.
What's in the box
- Songs: around 225 hits on music cards.
- The flying microphone (it takes 3 AAA batteries, not included).
- App: the free Hitster app scans the cards and plays each song.
- Players: 2 to 10.
- Age: 16 and up.
- Play time: about 30 minutes, longer for a full game.
- Publisher: Jumbo.
Where to buy
Hitster Flying Mic is out now, released on 1 September 2026. The Dutch edition arrived first, with a German edition rolling out alongside it. There is no English edition yet, and as with other Hitster releases, which countries and languages get it depends on where you live, so an English version may follow later. To check availability for your region, start with the official Hitster website.
It is already listed across European retailers, with prices around €38 to €40 in the Netherlands and roughly €34 to €50 in Germany:
- Netherlands: Intertoys (€39.99), bol.com (€40.39), MediaMarkt (€37.99), and Spellenwinkel (€39.95, English checkout).
- Germany: Amazon.de (€40 to €50), Milan-Spiele (€34.20), Fantasywelt (€35.99), and Thalia (€28.09 on a temporary offer, normally €39.99).
Prefer to play digitally?
If it's the guess the song and place the year timeline game you're after, but you'd rather skip the box, the cards, and the setup, you can play the same style of game right on your phone. Tunigma plays the songs itself, with no cards to scan and no Spotify, Apple Music, or other streaming app or subscription, and it's a free download. There's a fuller look on the Hitster alternative page, plus a wider rundown of the best Hitster alternatives.
Coming soon
Frequently asked questions
When did Hitster Flying Mic come out?
It launched on 1 September 2026 and is out now. The Dutch edition came first, with a German edition rolling out alongside it, and availability elsewhere depends on your region.
How many people can play?
Hitster Flying Mic is for 2 to 10 players, ages 16 and up, with games of about 30 minutes.
What is the flying microphone?
It's a battery-powered microphone you send into the air when you think you know the song. Whoever catches it earns the right to take the musical challenge, adding a race for the mic on top of the music.
How do you win Hitster Flying Mic?
Flying Mic is usually played in teams, and the first team to correctly place eight songs on its timeline by release year wins.
Do you need the app or Spotify to play?
The Hitster app is free. As with the other Hitster editions, it plays each song through the app, which typically links to a music streaming service, so you'll likely need a streaming account to hear full tracks.
Is there an English edition?
Not yet. The launch editions are Dutch and German. Hitster editions usually roll out in more languages after their initial launch, so an English version may follow. Check the official Hitster site for your region.
How much does it cost?
It is around €38 to €40 in the Netherlands and roughly €34 to €50 in Germany, with Thalia listing it at €28.09 on a temporary offer. Pricing depends on the retailer and your region, so compare the listings above.
How is it different from the original Hitster?
The timeline is the same idea. Flying Mic adds the flying microphone, challenges like naming the artist or humming the tune, and a shorter finish at eight songs rather than ten.
Is Hitster Flying Mic the same as Hitster Bingo?
No, they're separate variants. Hitster Bingo swaps the timeline for a musical bingo card, while Flying Mic keeps the timeline and adds the mic scramble.
Hitster is a trademark of its respective owner. Tunigma is not affiliated with or endorsed by Hitster.