Countless Windows Phone gamers are currently pelting pigs with ball-shaped birds in the original Angry Birds (also known as Angry Birds Classic), which is free right now on both Windows Phone 7 and 8. But the release of that classic game hasn’t prompted Rovio to rest on its laurels. As it turns out, the Finnish developer has another Angry Birds sequel in the pipeline for us. Unfortunately it’s not Angry Birds Friends or Bad Piggies, but still a game Windows Phone needs: Angry Birds Rio.

What do we have to look forward to with Rovio’s latest offering and when? Read on to find out!

Movie madness

Angry Birds Rio is both a sequel to the popular Angry Birds series as well as a tie-in to the 2011 CG animated film Rio that everyone has probably forgotten about by now. But you know, other than being yet another blasted movie about talking animals, Rio wasn’t a bad film! Certainly smarter and prettier than Ice Age, for instance.

Anyway, Rio happens to be about birds, so the pairing with Angry Birds makes decent sense. But instead of being a Rio game that plays like Angry Birds (which would be the traditional way to adapt a film), Angry Birds Rio is basically a regular Angry Birds game with the standard Angry Birds characters that takes place in the movie's setting of Rio de Janeiro. The enemies are marmosets instead of pigs though.

The game also happens to have levels based more closely on the movie every now and then. These consist of boss battles, a first for the Angry Birds series. In these battles, you’ll fling Blu and Jewel, the movie’s lead characters, at the various filmic antagonists such as Nigel, the incredibly evil parrot and Mauro, the leader of the mercenary marmosets (a kind of monkey or something, by the way).

Content predictions

Angry Birds Rio started out as a small-scale game, but has received numerous updates on other platforms – as recently as March 11 of this year! So we can fully expect the Windows Phone version(s) to feature the full seven episodes and two sets of bonus levels. That should add up to 210 levels of bird tossing; not bad for what could have been a throw-away movie tie-in.

Microsoft and Nokia have announced that Angry Birds Rio would soon come to Windows Phone, but not much more:

"Angry Birds Rio is on the way for Windows Phone 'very soon.'"

Still, based on Rovio’s track record so far, we can safely assume that it will come in two separate versions: one for Windows Phone 7 and another for 8. The Windows Phone 8 game will be Xbox Live-enabled, while the other version won’t. Each will cost $.99.

As for the “very soon,” that could be as soon as next week or as late as June. The remaining games we’re missing, Bad Piggies and Angry Birds Friends, will probably make it out well before the end of the year.

This should all be great news for Achievement hunters who also happen to dig Angry Birds. With the addition of Rio, they will have no less than one billion different Xbox-enabled Angry Birds games to choose from...

Big brother version

Speaking of which, Angry Birds Rio is part of the Xbox 360 retail release Angry Birds Trilogy. The Games on Demand version of which is on sale for $19.99 (price varies by region) through May 6. That’s another 1000+ GamerScore you could get, bird flinging addicts!

Thanks to Guilherme S. Manso for the Windows Phone tip!

It’s time for another new Xbox Windows Phone game this week. Sadly, Gameloft’s N.O.V.A. 3 didn’t make it out yet, but we still expect it at the end of May or early June. Instead, this week’s release is the not too surprising but still appreciated Angry Birds Rio from Rovio.

I say not surprising because two weeks ago Microsoft and Nokia both announced that Rio would be coming very soon. They weren’t lying! Meanwhile, Angry Birds Rio has also flown in on Windows Phone 7 without Xbox Live features, just as we predicted. Now then, what makes this Rio game different from the 1500 other official Angry Birds titles already available on Windows Phone? Read on to find out.

Blame it on Rio

Angry Birds Rio is both a sequel to the popular Angry Birds series as well as a tie-in to the 2011 CG animated film Rio that everyone has probably forgotten about by now. But you know, other than being yet another blasted movie about talking animals, Rio wasn’t a bad film! Certainly smarter and prettier than Ice Age, if you ask me. Other than the gross and stupid bulldog.

Anyway, Rio happens to be about birds, so the pairing with Angry Birds makes decent sense. But instead of being a Rio game that plays like Angry Birds (which would be the traditional way to adapt a film), Angry Birds Rio is basically a regular Angry Birds game with the standard Angry Birds characters that takes place in the movie's setting of Rio de Janeiro. The enemies are marmosets instead of pigs though.

The game also happens to have levels based more closely on the movie every now and then. These consist of boss battles, a first for the Angry Birds series. In these battles, you’ll fling Blu and Jewel, the movie’s lead characters, at the various filmic antagonists such as Nigel, the incredibly evil parrot and Mauro, the leader of the mercenary marmosets (a kind of monkey or something, by the way).

Find that fruit

Rio surprisingly lacks the usual Achievement for breaking some massive number of blocks or playing a silly number of hours. Players will need to unlock 500 stars and score 17,500,000 points though, which is a lot! There’s also an Achievement for finding six golden fruit. Here are links to guides for most of the golden fruit:

• Golden Pineapples guide
• Golden Papayas guide
• Golden Apples guide
• Golden Mangos Guide

A fully featured flock

Now, casual Windows Phone gamers will be pleased as punch to have yet another Angry Birds game to play. Serious gamers might feel a bit less enthused, as Rovio has published a whopping five Windows Phone series entries since last November: Angry Birds Space, Angry Birds Star Wars, Angry Birds Seasons, Angry Birds Classic, and now Rio. Certainly the glut of similar releases increases the possibility of series fatigue.

Still, we can’t fault Rovio for their much increased Windows Phone support! Not too long ago, many wondered if the series creator had forgotten our plucky platform. Now we have almost every game in the series available to us, and with just about all of their levels intact to boot.

Just last Friday, Rovio updated all three versions of Angry Birds Star Wars (Windows Phone 7, 8, and Windows 8) with new levels as well as fixing some bugs in Angry Birds Classic. Now Rio has launched with all seven standard level packs with 210 levels as well as 40-plus bonus levels (they’re hard to count) that you’d find on other platforms. So we’re getting good versions of these games, at least. And Bad Piggies and Angry Birds Friends can't be too far behind.

Take a trip to Rio

Have some Store links! Before you ask, no, buying the Windows Phone 7 version doesn’t get you access to the Windows Phone 8 version. As with all the Angry Birds games, both versions are separate purchases and not compatible with the other platform.

• Angry Birds Rio– Windows Phone 8 – 99 cents – 31 MB – Store Link
• Angry Birds Rio– Windows Phone 7 – 99 cents - 24 MB – Store Link

Thanks to Jey Si and Guilherme da Silva Manso for the tips!

Are you a fan of Angry Birds and you just can’t get enough? Then make sure you head to the Store to grab Angry Bird Rio, version 1.7, which is now live for Windows Phone 8 (the 7.x version has not yet been updated).

So what does version 1.7 bring? Bug fixes? Performance enhancements? Nope, how about some actual new gameplay with the Golden Beachball pack.

Angry Birds Rio v1.7 changes

• Enjoy the sunset in 15 new beach levels!
• Unlock bonus levels by collecting all the golden cherries!
• Fun surprises including floating pig balloons and inflatable fish pool toys!

Not a bad update from Rovio, who have been fairly regular lately with updates to their Angry Birds lineup on Windows Phone. In fact, we now have five Angry Birds titles, including Original, Rio, Star Wars, Seasons and Space. This month we’ll be adding a sixth to that list with Angry Birds Star Wars II, which lands on September 19th.

Angry Birds Rio features 225 action packed levels along with 45 bonus levels (maybe more with today’s update, hard to tell). This version of the game is optimized for Windows Phone 8 (HD graphics) and is Xbox Live enabled for those achievement hunters out there.

We’ll keep an eye out to see if the 7.x version gets updated too.

Angry Birds Rio – Windows Phone 8 – 99 cents – 28 MB – Store Link

Thanks, Kyle, for the tip

We love new phones, deals, and hot new games. So when we get word on some crazy app deals in the Windows Phone Store we need to pass them onto you. If we told you a handful of Angry Birds titles were free in the Store would you believe us? You don’t need to, go check right now and you’ll see some games going for the low price of free. Specific Angry Birds games after the break.

We don’t know what to make of this. It could be a Store fluke or promotion. It was just earlier this month that Angry Birds, Angry Birds Space, and Angry Birds Star Wars were updated on Windows Phone 8. Either way, you can snag some Angry Birds for free right now. Here are the titles that are showing as free for us and a few of you tipping us:

• Angry Birds – Windows Phone Store
• Angry Birds Star Wars – Windows Phone Store
• Angry Birds Star Wars II –Windows Phone Store
• Angry Birds Rio – Windows Phone Store

Angry Birds Seasons and Angry Birds Space are still showing up for us with prices attached. Again, we’re not sure what to make of this. There aren’t any current promotions that we’re aware of. One way or the other, go download these addictive games if you haven’t already.

Is this promotion a US only thing? We’re not sure, let us know in the comments if you’re seeing them as free and what region you’re located in. Thanks! Quick update: After posting this article we're getting reports all over the map. For example, some users in Thailand see Seasons and Space as free, but not the rest. While some users in the UK still don't see Rio listed as free. And topping it all off, some users are also seeing Amazing Alex for free. So what can we learn? Your mileage may (and will) vary. 

Store links are up above next to the game name, but your QR codes are below. As always, just swipe to the right in our app to grab them.

Thanks for the tips monotheist and everyone! 

If you have be experiencing wantingness for new gaming levels to your favorite Angry Birds game, today is your lucky day.  Updates have gone out to just about every Windows Phone 8 Angry Birds gaming title, adding new levels, characters and features.

We will start with the original Angry Birds game being updated to version 4.0.  Based on the Windows Phone store details the update adds 30 extra levels in a new Short Fuse episode.  You also have 15 new levels in a Birthday Party episode and a new wave bomb feature.

Angry Birds Rio

Angry Birds Rio makes the jump to version 1.8 and adds twenty-six new Rocket Rumble levels, two new characters and fireworks.

Angry Birds Seasons leaps to version 4.0.1 which adds twenty-five new levels with four bonus levels.  There is a new Arctic level and a new underwater attack where you can plan a surprise attack on the pigs by flinging the birds under the icy Arctic waters.

Angry Birds Star Wars

Angry Birds Star Wars adds thirty new levels with version 1.5 that includes fifteen new space battles that feature a massive Imperial Star Destroyer and fifteen Death Star levels.  You also have the possibility to unmask Lard Vader to see who is hiding behind the mask.

And do not worry, Angry Birds Star Wars II is also in on Rovio’s massive update wave.  The update takes Angry Birds Star Wars II to version 1.2.1 and delivers the latest Battle Naboo chapter to the game with forty-four new levels and three new free characters.  This includes twenty new Pork Side levels, twenty new Bird Side levels and four new secret levels.

Angry Birds Star Wars II Telepod Support

The update also brings Angry Birds telepod support to the game where you can teleport your favorite character into the game through your Windows Phone camera.

The update collection delivers over 125 new levels to the Angry Birds Windows Phone games with the only version of Angry Birds not receiving an update being Angry Birds Space.  Add all this with the minor updates Angry Birds Go! has been receiving and Rovio is giving the Windows Phone platform a good bit of well-received attention.

You can find the updated versions of the Angry Birds games through the following Windows Phone Store links or by scanning the QR Codes below.  Each game is available for Windows Phone 8 and has a trial version.  The full version of each game is currently running $.99.

Thanks, everyone, for the tips!

Angry Birds

Angry Birds Rio

Angry Birds Seasons

Angry Birds Star Wars

Angry Birds Star Wars II

Love it or hate it, the Angry Birds franchise is one of the most successful game series in the history of mobile. Today we’re looking at an update for Angry Birds Rio. We’re getting a ton of additions to the game that’s now at version 2.0. Plus, it's now free!

Head into the Windows Phone Store and you’ll see Angry Birds Rio at version 2.0. You can either download or update your existing install of Angry Birds Rio to take advantage of the new additions.

Here’s what’s new with version 2.0 of the game:

• New High Dive episode – Based on the upcoming sequel to Rio
• New levels – 20 new levels and 6 bonus levels set in the Brazilian port harbor
• New graphics
• River dolphins – Save these animals for points
• New move – Dive below to break open cages

You’ll also notice a new logo for Angry Birds Rio. The game is also free, which is a nice move on developer Rovio’s part. Previously, the game went for $0.99 in the Windows Phone Store. Note: We’re not seeing an update for the Windows Phone 7 version of the game, this looks like something only available for Windows Phone 8 users.

We just installed the game and it looks great. You'll find all old levels from 'Rio' there, but you can then toggle and see new levels for 'Rio 2'. Not a bad update and we might just get addicted again to Angry Birds. 

Download Angry Birds Rio from the Windows Phone Store.

Thanks for the tip everyone!

Countless Windows Phone gamers are currently pelting pigs with ball-shaped birds in the original Angry Birds (also known as Angry Birds Classic), which is free right now on both Windows Phone 7 and 8. But the release of that classic game hasn’t prompted Rovio to rest on its laurels. As it turns out, the Finnish developer has another Angry Birds sequel in the pipeline for us. Unfortunately it’s not Angry Birds Friends or Bad Piggies, but still a game Windows Phone needs: Angry Birds Rio.

What do we have to look forward to with Rovio’s latest offering and when? Read on to find out!

Movie madness

Angry Birds Rio is both a sequel to the popular Angry Birds series as well as a tie-in to the 2011 CG animated film Rio that everyone has probably forgotten about by now. But you know, other than being yet another blasted movie about talking animals, Rio wasn’t a bad film! Certainly smarter and prettier than Ice Age, for instance.

Anyway, Rio happens to be about birds, so the pairing with Angry Birds makes decent sense. But instead of being a Rio game that plays like Angry Birds (which would be the traditional way to adapt a film), Angry Birds Rio is basically a regular Angry Birds game with the standard Angry Birds characters that takes place in the movie's setting of Rio de Janeiro. The enemies are marmosets instead of pigs though.

The game also happens to have levels based more closely on the movie every now and then. These consist of boss battles, a first for the Angry Birds series. In these battles, you’ll fling Blu and Jewel, the movie’s lead characters, at the various filmic antagonists such as Nigel, the incredibly evil parrot and Mauro, the leader of the mercenary marmosets (a kind of monkey or something, by the way).

Content predictions

Angry Birds Rio started out as a small-scale game, but has received numerous updates on other platforms – as recently as March 11 of this year! So we can fully expect the Windows Phone version(s) to feature the full seven episodes and two sets of bonus levels. That should add up to 210 levels of bird tossing; not bad for what could have been a throw-away movie tie-in.

Microsoft and Nokia have announced that Angry Birds Rio would soon come to Windows Phone, but not much more:

"Angry Birds Rio is on the way for Windows Phone 'very soon.'"

Still, based on Rovio’s track record so far, we can safely assume that it will come in two separate versions: one for Windows Phone 7 and another for 8. The Windows Phone 8 game will be Xbox Live-enabled, while the other version won’t. Each will cost $.99.

As for the “very soon,” that could be as soon as next week or as late as June. The remaining games we’re missing, Bad Piggies and Angry Birds Friends, will probably make it out well before the end of the year.

This should all be great news for Achievement hunters who also happen to dig Angry Birds. With the addition of Rio, they will have no less than one billion different Xbox-enabled Angry Birds games to choose from...

Big brother version

Speaking of which, Angry Birds Rio is part of the Xbox 360 retail release Angry Birds Trilogy. The Games on Demand version of which is on sale for $19.99 (price varies by region) through May 6. That’s another 1000+ GamerScore you could get, bird flinging addicts!

Thanks to Guilherme S. Manso for the Windows Phone tip!

It’s time for another new Xbox Windows Phone game this week. Sadly, Gameloft’s N.O.V.A. 3 didn’t make it out yet, but we still expect it at the end of May or early June. Instead, this week’s release is the not too surprising but still appreciated Angry Birds Rio from Rovio.

I say not surprising because two weeks ago Microsoft and Nokia both announced that Rio would be coming very soon. They weren’t lying! Meanwhile, Angry Birds Rio has also flown in on Windows Phone 7 without Xbox Live features, just as we predicted. Now then, what makes this Rio game different from the 1500 other official Angry Birds titles already available on Windows Phone? Read on to find out.

Blame it on Rio

Angry Birds Rio is both a sequel to the popular Angry Birds series as well as a tie-in to the 2011 CG animated film Rio that everyone has probably forgotten about by now. But you know, other than being yet another blasted movie about talking animals, Rio wasn’t a bad film! Certainly smarter and prettier than Ice Age, if you ask me. Other than the gross and stupid bulldog.

Anyway, Rio happens to be about birds, so the pairing with Angry Birds makes decent sense. But instead of being a Rio game that plays like Angry Birds (which would be the traditional way to adapt a film), Angry Birds Rio is basically a regular Angry Birds game with the standard Angry Birds characters that takes place in the movie's setting of Rio de Janeiro. The enemies are marmosets instead of pigs though.

The game also happens to have levels based more closely on the movie every now and then. These consist of boss battles, a first for the Angry Birds series. In these battles, you’ll fling Blu and Jewel, the movie’s lead characters, at the various filmic antagonists such as Nigel, the incredibly evil parrot and Mauro, the leader of the mercenary marmosets (a kind of monkey or something, by the way).

Find that fruit

Rio surprisingly lacks the usual Achievement for breaking some massive number of blocks or playing a silly number of hours. Players will need to unlock 500 stars and score 17,500,000 points though, which is a lot! There’s also an Achievement for finding six golden fruit. Here are links to guides for most of the golden fruit:

• Golden Pineapples guide
• Golden Papayas guide
• Golden Apples guide
• Golden Mangos Guide

A fully featured flock

Now, casual Windows Phone gamers will be pleased as punch to have yet another Angry Birds game to play. Serious gamers might feel a bit less enthused, as Rovio has published a whopping five Windows Phone series entries since last November: Angry Birds Space, Angry Birds Star Wars, Angry Birds Seasons, Angry Birds Classic, and now Rio. Certainly the glut of similar releases increases the possibility of series fatigue.

Still, we can’t fault Rovio for their much increased Windows Phone support! Not too long ago, many wondered if the series creator had forgotten our plucky platform. Now we have almost every game in the series available to us, and with just about all of their levels intact to boot.

Just last Friday, Rovio updated all three versions of Angry Birds Star Wars (Windows Phone 7, 8, and Windows 8) with new levels as well as fixing some bugs in Angry Birds Classic. Now Rio has launched with all seven standard level packs with 210 levels as well as 40-plus bonus levels (they’re hard to count) that you’d find on other platforms. So we’re getting good versions of these games, at least. And Bad Piggies and Angry Birds Friends can't be too far behind.

Take a trip to Rio

Have some Store links! Before you ask, no, buying the Windows Phone 7 version doesn’t get you access to the Windows Phone 8 version. As with all the Angry Birds games, both versions are separate purchases and not compatible with the other platform.

• Angry Birds Rio– Windows Phone 8 – 99 cents – 31 MB – Store Link
• Angry Birds Rio– Windows Phone 7 – 99 cents - 24 MB – Store Link

Thanks to Jey Si and Guilherme da Silva Manso for the tips!

Are you a fan of Angry Birds and you just can’t get enough? Then make sure you head to the Store to grab Angry Bird Rio, version 1.7, which is now live for Windows Phone 8 (the 7.x version has not yet been updated).

So what does version 1.7 bring? Bug fixes? Performance enhancements? Nope, how about some actual new gameplay with the Golden Beachball pack.

Angry Birds Rio v1.7 changes

• Enjoy the sunset in 15 new beach levels!
• Unlock bonus levels by collecting all the golden cherries!
• Fun surprises including floating pig balloons and inflatable fish pool toys!

Not a bad update from Rovio, who have been fairly regular lately with updates to their Angry Birds lineup on Windows Phone. In fact, we now have five Angry Birds titles, including Original, Rio, Star Wars, Seasons and Space. This month we’ll be adding a sixth to that list with Angry Birds Star Wars II, which lands on September 19th.

Angry Birds Rio features 225 action packed levels along with 45 bonus levels (maybe more with today’s update, hard to tell). This version of the game is optimized for Windows Phone 8 (HD graphics) and is Xbox Live enabled for those achievement hunters out there.

We’ll keep an eye out to see if the 7.x version gets updated too.

Angry Birds Rio – Windows Phone 8 – 99 cents – 28 MB – Store Link

Thanks, Kyle, for the tip

We love new phones, deals, and hot new games. So when we get word on some crazy app deals in the Windows Phone Store we need to pass them onto you. If we told you a handful of Angry Birds titles were free in the Store would you believe us? You don’t need to, go check right now and you’ll see some games going for the low price of free. Specific Angry Birds games after the break.

We don’t know what to make of this. It could be a Store fluke or promotion. It was just earlier this month that Angry Birds, Angry Birds Space, and Angry Birds Star Wars were updated on Windows Phone 8. Either way, you can snag some Angry Birds for free right now. Here are the titles that are showing as free for us and a few of you tipping us:

• Angry Birds – Windows Phone Store
• Angry Birds Star Wars – Windows Phone Store
• Angry Birds Star Wars II –Windows Phone Store
• Angry Birds Rio – Windows Phone Store

Angry Birds Seasons and Angry Birds Space are still showing up for us with prices attached. Again, we’re not sure what to make of this. There aren’t any current promotions that we’re aware of. One way or the other, go download these addictive games if you haven’t already.

Is this promotion a US only thing? We’re not sure, let us know in the comments if you’re seeing them as free and what region you’re located in. Thanks! Quick update: After posting this article we're getting reports all over the map. For example, some users in Thailand see Seasons and Space as free, but not the rest. While some users in the UK still don't see Rio listed as free. And topping it all off, some users are also seeing Amazing Alex for free. So what can we learn? Your mileage may (and will) vary. 

Store links are up above next to the game name, but your QR codes are below. As always, just swipe to the right in our app to grab them.

Thanks for the tips monotheist and everyone! 

If you have be experiencing wantingness for new gaming levels to your favorite Angry Birds game, today is your lucky day.  Updates have gone out to just about every Windows Phone 8 Angry Birds gaming title, adding new levels, characters and features.

We will start with the original Angry Birds game being updated to version 4.0.  Based on the Windows Phone store details the update adds 30 extra levels in a new Short Fuse episode.  You also have 15 new levels in a Birthday Party episode and a new wave bomb feature.

Angry Birds Rio

Angry Birds Rio makes the jump to version 1.8 and adds twenty-six new Rocket Rumble levels, two new characters and fireworks.

Angry Birds Seasons leaps to version 4.0.1 which adds twenty-five new levels with four bonus levels.  There is a new Arctic level and a new underwater attack where you can plan a surprise attack on the pigs by flinging the birds under the icy Arctic waters.

Angry Birds Star Wars

Angry Birds Star Wars adds thirty new levels with version 1.5 that includes fifteen new space battles that feature a massive Imperial Star Destroyer and fifteen Death Star levels.  You also have the possibility to unmask Lard Vader to see who is hiding behind the mask.

And do not worry, Angry Birds Star Wars II is also in on Rovio’s massive update wave.  The update takes Angry Birds Star Wars II to version 1.2.1 and delivers the latest Battle Naboo chapter to the game with forty-four new levels and three new free characters.  This includes twenty new Pork Side levels, twenty new Bird Side levels and four new secret levels.

Angry Birds Star Wars II Telepod Support

The update also brings Angry Birds telepod support to the game where you can teleport your favorite character into the game through your Windows Phone camera.

The update collection delivers over 125 new levels to the Angry Birds Windows Phone games with the only version of Angry Birds not receiving an update being Angry Birds Space.  Add all this with the minor updates Angry Birds Go! has been receiving and Rovio is giving the Windows Phone platform a good bit of well-received attention.

You can find the updated versions of the Angry Birds games through the following Windows Phone Store links or by scanning the QR Codes below.  Each game is available for Windows Phone 8 and has a trial version.  The full version of each game is currently running $.99.

Thanks, everyone, for the tips!

Angry Birds

Angry Birds Rio

Angry Birds Seasons

Angry Birds Star Wars

Angry Birds Star Wars II

Love it or hate it, the Angry Birds franchise is one of the most successful game series in the history of mobile. Today we’re looking at an update for Angry Birds Rio. We’re getting a ton of additions to the game that’s now at version 2.0. Plus, it's now free!

Head into the Windows Phone Store and you’ll see Angry Birds Rio at version 2.0. You can either download or update your existing install of Angry Birds Rio to take advantage of the new additions.

Here’s what’s new with version 2.0 of the game:

• New High Dive episode – Based on the upcoming sequel to Rio
• New levels – 20 new levels and 6 bonus levels set in the Brazilian port harbor
• New graphics
• River dolphins – Save these animals for points
• New move – Dive below to break open cages

You’ll also notice a new logo for Angry Birds Rio. The game is also free, which is a nice move on developer Rovio’s part. Previously, the game went for $0.99 in the Windows Phone Store. Note: We’re not seeing an update for the Windows Phone 7 version of the game, this looks like something only available for Windows Phone 8 users.

We just installed the game and it looks great. You'll find all old levels from 'Rio' there, but you can then toggle and see new levels for 'Rio 2'. Not a bad update and we might just get addicted again to Angry Birds. 

Download Angry Birds Rio from the Windows Phone Store.

Thanks for the tip everyone!

Countless Windows Phone gamers are currently pelting pigs with ball-shaped birds in the original Angry Birds (also known as Angry Birds Classic), which is free right now on both Windows Phone 7 and 8. But the release of that classic game hasn’t prompted Rovio to rest on its laurels. As it turns out, the Finnish developer has another Angry Birds sequel in the pipeline for us. Unfortunately it’s not Angry Birds Friends or Bad Piggies, but still a game Windows Phone needs: Angry Birds Rio.

What do we have to look forward to with Rovio’s latest offering and when? Read on to find out!

Movie madness

Angry Birds Rio is both a sequel to the popular Angry Birds series as well as a tie-in to the 2011 CG animated film Rio that everyone has probably forgotten about by now. But you know, other than being yet another blasted movie about talking animals, Rio wasn’t a bad film! Certainly smarter and prettier than Ice Age, for instance.

Anyway, Rio happens to be about birds, so the pairing with Angry Birds makes decent sense. But instead of being a Rio game that plays like Angry Birds (which would be the traditional way to adapt a film), Angry Birds Rio is basically a regular Angry Birds game with the standard Angry Birds characters that takes place in the movie's setting of Rio de Janeiro. The enemies are marmosets instead of pigs though.

The game also happens to have levels based more closely on the movie every now and then. These consist of boss battles, a first for the Angry Birds series. In these battles, you’ll fling Blu and Jewel, the movie’s lead characters, at the various filmic antagonists such as Nigel, the incredibly evil parrot and Mauro, the leader of the mercenary marmosets (a kind of monkey or something, by the way).

Content predictions

Angry Birds Rio started out as a small-scale game, but has received numerous updates on other platforms – as recently as March 11 of this year! So we can fully expect the Windows Phone version(s) to feature the full seven episodes and two sets of bonus levels. That should add up to 210 levels of bird tossing; not bad for what could have been a throw-away movie tie-in.

Microsoft and Nokia have announced that Angry Birds Rio would soon come to Windows Phone, but not much more:

"Angry Birds Rio is on the way for Windows Phone 'very soon.'"

Still, based on Rovio’s track record so far, we can safely assume that it will come in two separate versions: one for Windows Phone 7 and another for 8. The Windows Phone 8 game will be Xbox Live-enabled, while the other version won’t. Each will cost $.99.

As for the “very soon,” that could be as soon as next week or as late as June. The remaining games we’re missing, Bad Piggies and Angry Birds Friends, will probably make it out well before the end of the year.

This should all be great news for Achievement hunters who also happen to dig Angry Birds. With the addition of Rio, they will have no less than one billion different Xbox-enabled Angry Birds games to choose from...

Big brother version

Speaking of which, Angry Birds Rio is part of the Xbox 360 retail release Angry Birds Trilogy. The Games on Demand version of which is on sale for $19.99 (price varies by region) through May 6. That’s another 1000+ GamerScore you could get, bird flinging addicts!

Thanks to Guilherme S. Manso for the Windows Phone tip!

It’s time for another new Xbox Windows Phone game this week. Sadly, Gameloft’s N.O.V.A. 3 didn’t make it out yet, but we still expect it at the end of May or early June. Instead, this week’s release is the not too surprising but still appreciated Angry Birds Rio from Rovio.

I say not surprising because two weeks ago Microsoft and Nokia both announced that Rio would be coming very soon. They weren’t lying! Meanwhile, Angry Birds Rio has also flown in on Windows Phone 7 without Xbox Live features, just as we predicted. Now then, what makes this Rio game different from the 1500 other official Angry Birds titles already available on Windows Phone? Read on to find out.

Blame it on Rio

Angry Birds Rio is both a sequel to the popular Angry Birds series as well as a tie-in to the 2011 CG animated film Rio that everyone has probably forgotten about by now. But you know, other than being yet another blasted movie about talking animals, Rio wasn’t a bad film! Certainly smarter and prettier than Ice Age, if you ask me. Other than the gross and stupid bulldog.

Anyway, Rio happens to be about birds, so the pairing with Angry Birds makes decent sense. But instead of being a Rio game that plays like Angry Birds (which would be the traditional way to adapt a film), Angry Birds Rio is basically a regular Angry Birds game with the standard Angry Birds characters that takes place in the movie's setting of Rio de Janeiro. The enemies are marmosets instead of pigs though.

The game also happens to have levels based more closely on the movie every now and then. These consist of boss battles, a first for the Angry Birds series. In these battles, you’ll fling Blu and Jewel, the movie’s lead characters, at the various filmic antagonists such as Nigel, the incredibly evil parrot and Mauro, the leader of the mercenary marmosets (a kind of monkey or something, by the way).

Find that fruit

Rio surprisingly lacks the usual Achievement for breaking some massive number of blocks or playing a silly number of hours. Players will need to unlock 500 stars and score 17,500,000 points though, which is a lot! There’s also an Achievement for finding six golden fruit. Here are links to guides for most of the golden fruit:

• Golden Pineapples guide
• Golden Papayas guide
• Golden Apples guide
• Golden Mangos Guide

A fully featured flock

Now, casual Windows Phone gamers will be pleased as punch to have yet another Angry Birds game to play. Serious gamers might feel a bit less enthused, as Rovio has published a whopping five Windows Phone series entries since last November: Angry Birds Space, Angry Birds Star Wars, Angry Birds Seasons, Angry Birds Classic, and now Rio. Certainly the glut of similar releases increases the possibility of series fatigue.

Still, we can’t fault Rovio for their much increased Windows Phone support! Not too long ago, many wondered if the series creator had forgotten our plucky platform. Now we have almost every game in the series available to us, and with just about all of their levels intact to boot.

Just last Friday, Rovio updated all three versions of Angry Birds Star Wars (Windows Phone 7, 8, and Windows 8) with new levels as well as fixing some bugs in Angry Birds Classic. Now Rio has launched with all seven standard level packs with 210 levels as well as 40-plus bonus levels (they’re hard to count) that you’d find on other platforms. So we’re getting good versions of these games, at least. And Bad Piggies and Angry Birds Friends can't be too far behind.

Take a trip to Rio

Have some Store links! Before you ask, no, buying the Windows Phone 7 version doesn’t get you access to the Windows Phone 8 version. As with all the Angry Birds games, both versions are separate purchases and not compatible with the other platform.

• Angry Birds Rio– Windows Phone 8 – 99 cents – 31 MB – Store Link
• Angry Birds Rio– Windows Phone 7 – 99 cents - 24 MB – Store Link

Thanks to Jey Si and Guilherme da Silva Manso for the tips!

Are you a fan of Angry Birds and you just can’t get enough? Then make sure you head to the Store to grab Angry Bird Rio, version 1.7, which is now live for Windows Phone 8 (the 7.x version has not yet been updated).

So what does version 1.7 bring? Bug fixes? Performance enhancements? Nope, how about some actual new gameplay with the Golden Beachball pack.

Angry Birds Rio v1.7 changes

• Enjoy the sunset in 15 new beach levels!
• Unlock bonus levels by collecting all the golden cherries!
• Fun surprises including floating pig balloons and inflatable fish pool toys!

Not a bad update from Rovio, who have been fairly regular lately with updates to their Angry Birds lineup on Windows Phone. In fact, we now have five Angry Birds titles, including Original, Rio, Star Wars, Seasons and Space. This month we’ll be adding a sixth to that list with Angry Birds Star Wars II, which lands on September 19th.

Angry Birds Rio features 225 action packed levels along with 45 bonus levels (maybe more with today’s update, hard to tell). This version of the game is optimized for Windows Phone 8 (HD graphics) and is Xbox Live enabled for those achievement hunters out there.

We’ll keep an eye out to see if the 7.x version gets updated too.

Angry Birds Rio – Windows Phone 8 – 99 cents – 28 MB – Store Link

Thanks, Kyle, for the tip

We love new phones, deals, and hot new games. So when we get word on some crazy app deals in the Windows Phone Store we need to pass them onto you. If we told you a handful of Angry Birds titles were free in the Store would you believe us? You don’t need to, go check right now and you’ll see some games going for the low price of free. Specific Angry Birds games after the break.

We don’t know what to make of this. It could be a Store fluke or promotion. It was just earlier this month that Angry Birds, Angry Birds Space, and Angry Birds Star Wars were updated on Windows Phone 8. Either way, you can snag some Angry Birds for free right now. Here are the titles that are showing as free for us and a few of you tipping us:

• Angry Birds – Windows Phone Store
• Angry Birds Star Wars – Windows Phone Store
• Angry Birds Star Wars II –Windows Phone Store
• Angry Birds Rio – Windows Phone Store

Angry Birds Seasons and Angry Birds Space are still showing up for us with prices attached. Again, we’re not sure what to make of this. There aren’t any current promotions that we’re aware of. One way or the other, go download these addictive games if you haven’t already.

Is this promotion a US only thing? We’re not sure, let us know in the comments if you’re seeing them as free and what region you’re located in. Thanks! Quick update: After posting this article we're getting reports all over the map. For example, some users in Thailand see Seasons and Space as free, but not the rest. While some users in the UK still don't see Rio listed as free. And topping it all off, some users are also seeing Amazing Alex for free. So what can we learn? Your mileage may (and will) vary. 

Store links are up above next to the game name, but your QR codes are below. As always, just swipe to the right in our app to grab them.

Thanks for the tips monotheist and everyone! 

If you have be experiencing wantingness for new gaming levels to your favorite Angry Birds game, today is your lucky day.  Updates have gone out to just about every Windows Phone 8 Angry Birds gaming title, adding new levels, characters and features.

We will start with the original Angry Birds game being updated to version 4.0.  Based on the Windows Phone store details the update adds 30 extra levels in a new Short Fuse episode.  You also have 15 new levels in a Birthday Party episode and a new wave bomb feature.

Angry Birds Rio

Angry Birds Rio makes the jump to version 1.8 and adds twenty-six new Rocket Rumble levels, two new characters and fireworks.

Angry Birds Seasons leaps to version 4.0.1 which adds twenty-five new levels with four bonus levels.  There is a new Arctic level and a new underwater attack where you can plan a surprise attack on the pigs by flinging the birds under the icy Arctic waters.

Angry Birds Star Wars

Angry Birds Star Wars adds thirty new levels with version 1.5 that includes fifteen new space battles that feature a massive Imperial Star Destroyer and fifteen Death Star levels.  You also have the possibility to unmask Lard Vader to see who is hiding behind the mask.

And do not worry, Angry Birds Star Wars II is also in on Rovio’s massive update wave.  The update takes Angry Birds Star Wars II to version 1.2.1 and delivers the latest Battle Naboo chapter to the game with forty-four new levels and three new free characters.  This includes twenty new Pork Side levels, twenty new Bird Side levels and four new secret levels.

Angry Birds Star Wars II Telepod Support

The update also brings Angry Birds telepod support to the game where you can teleport your favorite character into the game through your Windows Phone camera.

The update collection delivers over 125 new levels to the Angry Birds Windows Phone games with the only version of Angry Birds not receiving an update being Angry Birds Space.  Add all this with the minor updates Angry Birds Go! has been receiving and Rovio is giving the Windows Phone platform a good bit of well-received attention.

You can find the updated versions of the Angry Birds games through the following Windows Phone Store links or by scanning the QR Codes below.  Each game is available for Windows Phone 8 and has a trial version.  The full version of each game is currently running $.99.

Thanks, everyone, for the tips!

Angry Birds

Angry Birds Rio

Angry Birds Seasons

Angry Birds Star Wars

Angry Birds Star Wars II

Love it or hate it, the Angry Birds franchise is one of the most successful game series in the history of mobile. Today we’re looking at an update for Angry Birds Rio. We’re getting a ton of additions to the game that’s now at version 2.0. Plus, it's now free!

Head into the Windows Phone Store and you’ll see Angry Birds Rio at version 2.0. You can either download or update your existing install of Angry Birds Rio to take advantage of the new additions.

Here’s what’s new with version 2.0 of the game:

• New High Dive episode – Based on the upcoming sequel to Rio
• New levels – 20 new levels and 6 bonus levels set in the Brazilian port harbor
• New graphics
• River dolphins – Save these animals for points
• New move – Dive below to break open cages

You’ll also notice a new logo for Angry Birds Rio. The game is also free, which is a nice move on developer Rovio’s part. Previously, the game went for $0.99 in the Windows Phone Store. Note: We’re not seeing an update for the Windows Phone 7 version of the game, this looks like something only available for Windows Phone 8 users.

We just installed the game and it looks great. You'll find all old levels from 'Rio' there, but you can then toggle and see new levels for 'Rio 2'. Not a bad update and we might just get addicted again to Angry Birds. 

Download Angry Birds Rio from the Windows Phone Store.

Thanks for the tip everyone!