Pop balloons, win Pixels: Google's birthday game can win you a Pixel 11, Pixel Watch 5 or Pixel Buds

The Pixel 11 series hasn’t been around for long, but Google is already offering some buyers another way to knock money off its newest hardware. We’ve seen plenty of launch deals and trade-in offers since the phones arrived, but Google’s looming 28th birthday brings something more playful. The company has launched Tap Party, a 60-second balloon-popping game that can unlock discounts — and, depending on where you live, some seriously valuable Pixel prizes.

Tap Party has you popping regular balloons for points while trying to keep a streak going to earn multipliers up to 3x. Linked balloons can earn bonus points, while tapping distraction balloons costs you 10 points and kills your streak. Gemini balloons clear those distractions and award extra points, and Google says there’s also a hidden Easter egg that can boost your final score.

The important part is what those points can get you. Google is running country-specific competitions, with Tap Party available through localized experiences for Australia, India, Singapore, Japan, and Taiwan. The exact rewards vary by region.

In Singapore, India, and Australia, for instance, the top five eligible scorers receive a 100%-off code for one Pixel 11 series phone, while ranks six through 55 get 28% off an eligible Pixel 11 series phone, Pixel Watch 5, or Pixel Buds device. Eligible email subscribers can also get 10% off their cart when buying a Pixel 11 series phone.

Japan has different prizes: its top five get ¥100,000 (~$645) off a Pixel 11 series phone, while ranks six through 55 receive 20% off eligible hardware. You can also play in duo mode on the same phone. If the shared score qualifies, both registered players can receive the corresponding reward.

The competition closes September 20, while winning codes start arriving around September 25. Better still, Google says eligible Tap Party rewards can stack with offers from its upcoming Birthday Sale, potentially making a good score worth more than the game itself.