Angry Birds, developed by Rovio and first released in 2009, made its three-star rating a central part of its puzzle gameplay, with players replaying levels to earn the highest score and unlock every star. The bright chime became shorthand for that perfect result, and as gameplay clips spread on YouTube and TikTok, editors began lifting it to signal their own wins outside the game. It remains popular because the sound is instantly understood, even by viewers who have never played, as a tiny mark of success.