10 Rovio Games that AREN'T About Flinging Birds with a Slingshot
Finnish game developer, publisher & distributor Rovio Entertainment made a name for itself by releasing Angry Birds back in 2009. It was a huge success, becoming the most downloaded game in history and serving as the starting point for a franchise that covers multiple Angry Birds titles, several spin-off games, a TV series, an animated movie, all kinds of plush toys, and even some amusement parks.
Rovio has about 20 games to offer right now and yes, most of them are Angry Birds titles where you use a slingshot to fling birds at structures and green-skinned pigs. Hidden among all these bird flinging games are a few that feature a different type of mechanic. Games such as...
1. Battle Bay
Released worldwide on May 4th, this is the latest and newest game that Rovio has to offer. It is a real-time 5-vs-5 multiplayer game where you get to take part in strategic last-boat-floating battles. Pick a ship, slap some guns on it, take to the waves, and battle live opponents with your teammates!
"With Battle Bay we really wanted to build something completely new and different from the games Rovio is typically known for. It was important to build a fresh and unique experience with enough depth to be played for years," said Tuomo Lehtinen, Product Lead for Battle Bay.
Battle Bay – Main Features
2. Fruit Nibblers
Previously known as just Nibblers, this is a match-three puzzle game that features Coral, Octo, and other cute fish characters known as… Nibblers, of course. The Nibblers love fruit so much that they left their native habitat, the ocean, and they’ve taken to dry land. You have to help the Nibblers get the fruit they love so much and keep the feast going.
"Nibblers may be newly evolved creatures, but fans of our other games will recognize the Rovio touches – strong characters, beautiful visuals, and a lush soundtrack recorded with live orchestra and soloists. This will be a game you want to return to again and again," said Heini Kaihu, Head of Studio at Rovio, back in 2015 when the game was released worldwide.
Fruit Nibblers – Main Features
3. Juice Cubes
Developed by Playlab and initially published by Rovio Stars, Juice Cubes is a match-three and fruit-themed puzzle game just like Fruit Nibblers. What makes it stand out is that it doesn’t ask you to move tiles around, it lets you simply connect matching fruit. And when you do, they explode. The more fruit you connect, the bigger the bang.
Juice Cubes is the third game to be published via Rovio Stars, Rovio’s mobile game publishing program for independent third-party developers. The program works something like this: talented developers come up with entertaining games and Rovio publishes them. It’s a win-win situation because the developer gets an audience for the game he created and Rovio gets to present interesting new titles to its customers.
Juice Cubes – Main Features
4. Bad Piggies
Bad Piggies gets the honor of being Rovio’s first spin-off game and the first game to focus on the antagonist of the Angry Birds series, mainly the green-skinned pigs. The goal in this game is to build these weird contraptions and safely navigate them from point A to point B. Piece together a rickety, creaky, hunk of junk contraption, maneuver it through a course, and if you make it to the end safely, you win. Crash, and you lose.
"We’ve never done anything like this," said Petri Järvilehto back in 2012 when the game was released. "Where Angry Birds was all about destruction, Bad Piggies is all about the joy of construction. It’s not just about getting three stars -- in this game, failing is almost as much fun as succeeding!"
Bad Piggies – Main Features
5. Angry Birds Go!
Announced in June 2013, unveiled in October, and released in December that same year, Angry Birds Go! is the very first Angry Birds title that doesn’t feature the classic "fling the birds" mechanic, replacing it with downhill racing and upgradable karts. Set on a 3D Piggy Island, the game features all your favorite characters from the Angry Birds games.
One of the best things about Angry Birds Go! is that it features local multiplayer.
Angry Birds GO! – Main Features
6. Angry Birds Epic
Half a year after the release of Angry Birds Go!, Rovio rolled out another Angry Birds title, but this time the developer came out with an adventure role-playing game called Angry Birds Epic. You get to explore a fantasy version of Piggy Island, you get to craft weapons, armor and potions, and you get to lead your flock into turn-based battles.
"Angry Birds Epic sends you on a sprawling adventure across the tropical beaches, frosty mountains, and deep dungeons of Piggy Island in hundreds of challenging levels," says the game’s official description. "Collect and craft a huge arsenal of weapons, and wield powerful magic to defeat fearsome boss pigs and their many minions. Crush troublesome pigs in battle to win epic loot, craft ever more powerful weapons and level up your party. To victory!"
Angry Birds Epic – Main Features
7. Angry Birds Transformers
Back in 2014, Rovio and Hasbro decided to team up and mash together the Angry Birds and Transformers brand. What came out was a 3D shoot 'em up game called Angry Birds Transformers, a game that features "birds disguised as robots in disguise."
The premise is pretty simple: the EggSpark has transformed the eggs into crazed robots who are destroying Piggy Island, and the Autobirds have to make things right. But since they can’t do it alone, they have to join forces with their arch rivals, the Deceptihogs.
Angry Birds Transformers – Main Features
8. Angry Birds Blast
Angry Birds Blast is a tile-matching puzzle adventure game that asks you to tap on matching balloons, blast them to smithereens, and free the birds that are trapped inside.
"As the Angry Birds franchise enters its seventh year, Angry Birds Blast is a milestone in Rovio’s history that looks back at all that came before and, at the same time, gives fans something completely new, unique and fun,” said Heini Kaihu, VP of Games at Rovio, back in December 2016 when the game was released worldwide.
Angry Birds Blast – Main Features
9. Angry Birds Fight!
Angry Birds Fight! is the first Rovio game to be developed entirely in Japan. What sort of game is it? Why, it’s a player-vs-player match-three puzzle game that features two phases: a match-three puzzle phase and an actual fight phase. In the puzzle phase, you have 30 seconds to match as many birds as possible. The more birds you match, the more you power up your character for the fight and the better your chances of winning the fight.
“We’re thrilled to bring Angry Birds Fight!, the very 1st Rovio title developed entirely in Japan, to the rest of the world,” said Katsumi Oikawa, Japan Country Director at Rovio, back in 2015 when the game was released. “We’ve dedicated a lot of time to developing a game that is tailored to those who are fans of Japanese culture, RPG and player vs player battles and we really hope fans worldwide enjoy the first Angry Birds game that champions these features.”
Angry Birds Fight! – Main Features
10. Angry Birds Action
Angry Birds Action is a fast-moving pinball arcade smasher that was released worldwide in April 2016. Unsurprisingly, the game asks you to save the eggs. What is surprising though is that you save the fragile eggs by running into them. And speaking about running into things, your character will smash through obstacles and bounce from wall to wall like a wrecking ball as he tries to save the precious eggs.
The game’s release was tied with the Angry Birds movie, which is worth watching only if you’re a diehard Angry Birds fan. It may not be the worst, but it is among the worst movies based on a video game.
Angry Birds Action – Main Features
Honorable mention – Angry Birds Pop
Based on the now defunct Angry Birds Stella and previously known as Angry Birds Stella Pop, this game is a bubble shooter. Rovio’s very first bubble shooter as a matter of fact.
Angry Birds Pop is free (in-app purchases) for iOS and Android.
In related news...
Rovio has yet another Angry Birds game to offer and, just like all the games presented so far, it doesn’t feature the classic bird flinging gameplay. The title I am referring to is called Angry Birds Evolution and it is a 3D turn-based RPG. Although the game has been released in several European countries, it has yet to be released in the US, being penciled in for a June release.
Angry Birds Evolution is free for iOS and Android.
Pre-register on Google Play to get a free starter pack worth $7.99 for when the game is released in June 2017.
Rovio has about 20 games to offer right now and yes, most of them are Angry Birds titles where you use a slingshot to fling birds at structures and green-skinned pigs. Hidden among all these bird flinging games are a few that feature a different type of mechanic. Games such as...
1. Battle Bay
Released worldwide on May 4th, this is the latest and newest game that Rovio has to offer. It is a real-time 5-vs-5 multiplayer game where you get to take part in strategic last-boat-floating battles. Pick a ship, slap some guns on it, take to the waves, and battle live opponents with your teammates!
"With Battle Bay we really wanted to build something completely new and different from the games Rovio is typically known for. It was important to build a fresh and unique experience with enough depth to be played for years," said Tuomo Lehtinen, Product Lead for Battle Bay.
Battle Bay – Main Features
- Real-time multiplayer battles.
- 5 ship classes, each with its own specialty.
- 10 crew members to fit different play styles.
- Over 30 different items to collect upgrade and master.
- Team up with friends and join a guild.
- Chat with your guildmates to plan winning strategies.
2. Fruit Nibblers
Previously known as just Nibblers, this is a match-three puzzle game that features Coral, Octo, and other cute fish characters known as… Nibblers, of course. The Nibblers love fruit so much that they left their native habitat, the ocean, and they’ve taken to dry land. You have to help the Nibblers get the fruit they love so much and keep the feast going.
"Nibblers may be newly evolved creatures, but fans of our other games will recognize the Rovio touches – strong characters, beautiful visuals, and a lush soundtrack recorded with live orchestra and soloists. This will be a game you want to return to again and again," said Heini Kaihu, Head of Studio at Rovio, back in 2015 when the game was released worldwide.
Fruit Nibblers – Main Features
- Simple match-three gameplay that’s easy to pick up.
- Match 4 or more fruit to bring out Coral, Octo, or another Nibbler.
- Match fruit right next to lizards to send them packing.
- A multitude of unique and puzzling levels.
- Connect to Facebook and challenge your friends.
3. Juice Cubes
Developed by Playlab and initially published by Rovio Stars, Juice Cubes is a match-three and fruit-themed puzzle game just like Fruit Nibblers. What makes it stand out is that it doesn’t ask you to move tiles around, it lets you simply connect matching fruit. And when you do, they explode. The more fruit you connect, the bigger the bang.
Juice Cubes is the third game to be published via Rovio Stars, Rovio’s mobile game publishing program for independent third-party developers. The program works something like this: talented developers come up with entertaining games and Rovio publishes them. It’s a win-win situation because the developer gets an audience for the game he created and Rovio gets to present interesting new titles to its customers.
Juice Cubes – Main Features
- Match-three gameplay with a twist: connect fruit to get combo explosions.
- Set in a tropical archipelago that features mermaids, pirates, and even witches.
- Beautiful backgrounds and maps with animated characters.
- Hundreds of levels.
- Connect and compete with or against your friends.
4. Bad Piggies
Bad Piggies gets the honor of being Rovio’s first spin-off game and the first game to focus on the antagonist of the Angry Birds series, mainly the green-skinned pigs. The goal in this game is to build these weird contraptions and safely navigate them from point A to point B. Piece together a rickety, creaky, hunk of junk contraption, maneuver it through a course, and if you make it to the end safely, you win. Crash, and you lose.
"We’ve never done anything like this," said Petri Järvilehto back in 2012 when the game was released. "Where Angry Birds was all about destruction, Bad Piggies is all about the joy of construction. It’s not just about getting three stars -- in this game, failing is almost as much fun as succeeding!"
Bad Piggies – Main Features
- Build the ultimate flying machine and steer the pigs safely to their destination.
- More than 200 levels to play through.
- 40+ special levels that will unlock if you get three stars.
- 9+ sandbox levels to test your creativity.
- 42 objects to create the ultimate machine.
5. Angry Birds Go!
Announced in June 2013, unveiled in October, and released in December that same year, Angry Birds Go! is the very first Angry Birds title that doesn’t feature the classic "fling the birds" mechanic, replacing it with downhill racing and upgradable karts. Set on a 3D Piggy Island, the game features all your favorite characters from the Angry Birds games.
One of the best things about Angry Birds Go! is that it features local multiplayer.
Angry Birds GO! – Main Features
- Downhill racing game set on a 3D Piggy Island.
- High-octane racing action and upgradable karts.
- Angry Birds characters with awesome special powers.
- Campaign mode, time-limited tournaments, daily races, and local multiplayer.
6. Angry Birds Epic
Half a year after the release of Angry Birds Go!, Rovio rolled out another Angry Birds title, but this time the developer came out with an adventure role-playing game called Angry Birds Epic. You get to explore a fantasy version of Piggy Island, you get to craft weapons, armor and potions, and you get to lead your flock into turn-based battles.
"Angry Birds Epic sends you on a sprawling adventure across the tropical beaches, frosty mountains, and deep dungeons of Piggy Island in hundreds of challenging levels," says the game’s official description. "Collect and craft a huge arsenal of weapons, and wield powerful magic to defeat fearsome boss pigs and their many minions. Crush troublesome pigs in battle to win epic loot, craft ever more powerful weapons and level up your party. To victory!"
Angry Birds Epic – Main Features
- Adventure role-playing game set on a fantasy version of Piggy Island.
- Fight hordes of enemies in turn-based combat.
- Play as a heroic knight, mighty wizard, or helpful druid.
- Craft weapons, armor and potions.
- Level up your characters, collect resources.
- Challenge real players from around the world in the arena
7. Angry Birds Transformers
Back in 2014, Rovio and Hasbro decided to team up and mash together the Angry Birds and Transformers brand. What came out was a 3D shoot 'em up game called Angry Birds Transformers, a game that features "birds disguised as robots in disguise."
The premise is pretty simple: the EggSpark has transformed the eggs into crazed robots who are destroying Piggy Island, and the Autobirds have to make things right. But since they can’t do it alone, they have to join forces with their arch rivals, the Deceptihogs.
Angry Birds Transformers – Main Features
- Unlock a roster of Autobirds and Deceptihogs
- The first Angry Birds game to offer shoot 'em up gameplay.
- Get stronger weapons and abilities for your Transformers.
- Get a friend’s character and unleash a devastating two-bot assault.
8. Angry Birds Blast
Angry Birds Blast is a tile-matching puzzle adventure game that asks you to tap on matching balloons, blast them to smithereens, and free the birds that are trapped inside.
"As the Angry Birds franchise enters its seventh year, Angry Birds Blast is a milestone in Rovio’s history that looks back at all that came before and, at the same time, gives fans something completely new, unique and fun,” said Heini Kaihu, VP of Games at Rovio, back in December 2016 when the game was released worldwide.
Angry Birds Blast – Main Features
- Tile-matching gameplay that’s easy to pick up.
- Hundreds of fun levels.
- Challenging and strategic balloon-popping gameplay.
- Boosters and power-ups.
- Daily challenges and events.
9. Angry Birds Fight!
Angry Birds Fight! is the first Rovio game to be developed entirely in Japan. What sort of game is it? Why, it’s a player-vs-player match-three puzzle game that features two phases: a match-three puzzle phase and an actual fight phase. In the puzzle phase, you have 30 seconds to match as many birds as possible. The more birds you match, the more you power up your character for the fight and the better your chances of winning the fight.
“We’re thrilled to bring Angry Birds Fight!, the very 1st Rovio title developed entirely in Japan, to the rest of the world,” said Katsumi Oikawa, Japan Country Director at Rovio, back in 2015 when the game was released. “We’ve dedicated a lot of time to developing a game that is tailored to those who are fans of Japanese culture, RPG and player vs player battles and we really hope fans worldwide enjoy the first Angry Birds game that champions these features.”
Angry Birds Fight! – Main Features
- Race the clock to match as many birds as possible and power up your character for the fight.
- Do battle against friends or players from around the world.
- Match at least 3 birds vertically or horizontally to attack the opponent. Match 4 to activate special powers, match 5 to start Fever Time.
- Win fights to earn XP and use it to level up your character.
- Win fights to unlock more characters.
- Equip your character with powerful weapons and armor.
10. Angry Birds Action
Angry Birds Action is a fast-moving pinball arcade smasher that was released worldwide in April 2016. Unsurprisingly, the game asks you to save the eggs. What is surprising though is that you save the fragile eggs by running into them. And speaking about running into things, your character will smash through obstacles and bounce from wall to wall like a wrecking ball as he tries to save the precious eggs.
The game’s release was tied with the Angry Birds movie, which is worth watching only if you’re a diehard Angry Birds fan. It may not be the worst, but it is among the worst movies based on a video game.
Angry Birds Action – Main Features
- Send the birds crashing through obstacles and bouncing from wall to wall.
- Play as the heroic trio from The Angry Birds Movie.
- Compete with friends for top scores.
Honorable mention – Angry Birds Pop
Based on the now defunct Angry Birds Stella and previously known as Angry Birds Stella Pop, this game is a bubble shooter. Rovio’s very first bubble shooter as a matter of fact.
Angry Birds Pop is free (in-app purchases) for iOS and Android.
In related news...
Rovio has yet another Angry Birds game to offer and, just like all the games presented so far, it doesn’t feature the classic bird flinging gameplay. The title I am referring to is called Angry Birds Evolution and it is a 3D turn-based RPG. Although the game has been released in several European countries, it has yet to be released in the US, being penciled in for a June release.
Angry Birds Evolution is free for iOS and Android.
Pre-register on Google Play to get a free starter pack worth $7.99 for when the game is released in June 2017.
