Angry Birds Rio

Angry Birds Rio

Company type	Video game
Industry	Video games
Founded	March 22, 2011 (2011-03-22)
Founder	Rovio Entertainment
Defunct	February 3, 2020 (2020-02-03)
Fate	Discontinued; removed from app stores
Headquarters	Espoo , Finland
Products	Puzzle video game
Owner	Rovio Entertainment

Angry Birds Rio is a 2011 puzzle video game created and distributed by Rovio Entertainment. This title represents a crossover between the Angry Birds series and the Rio (franchise) movie, debuting on March 22, 2011. Developed as a promotional collaboration with 20th Century Fox and Blue Sky Studios for the animated feature Rio (2011 film), the game maintained the fundamental mechanics of Angry Birds (video game) (2009) while introducing novel elements, including the franchise's inaugural boss battles. Angry Birds Rio was officially discontinued on February 3, 2020, alongside titles such as Angry Birds Star Wars and its follow-up, leading to its removal from both Google Play and the iOS App Store.

Gameplay

In Angry Birds Rio, players find Red, the Blues, and Chuck abducted by smugglers led by Nigel, a villain from the film, who transports them to Rio de Janeiro. Using a slingshot mechanic, players aim birds at various structures to liberate caged exotic birds or eliminate Nigel's marmoset henchmen. The game incorporates characters from Rio, with Blu and Jewel introduced as exclusive playable bird types alongside the original roster.

This edition debuted boss encounters where players face off against Nigel and Mauro, leader of the marmosets. Additionally, Luiz appears as an ally who aids in defeating foes and destroying obstacles to accumulate bonus points. The game also offers collectible hidden objects scattered across levels to boost player engagement.

Plot

The storyline of Angry Birds Rio parallels that of the movie Rio, presenting events through the eyes of the Angry Birds. Red, Chuck, and the Blues are captured and taken to Rio de Janeiro, ending up confined in a smuggler’s hideout alongside other rare bird species. Nigel reveals their exceptional rarity, which increases their market value. The Angry Birds manage to escape captivity, freeing Blu and Jewel who are shackled together. They flee into the jungle but are pursued by Nigel’s marmosets who unsuccessfully attempt to recapture them.

The group encounters Rafael, who introduces them to Luiz, who helps remove Blu and Jewel’s chains. During their celebration, Jewel is recaptured by Nigel. Red, the Blues, Chuck, and Blu pursue her through a parade route, overcoming marmoset leader Mauro and rescuing Jewel. Subsequently, Nigel kidnaps Blu again, triggering a chase that culminates with the birds boarding the smugglers’ plane. They release all imprisoned birds onboard and cause the aircraft to crash-land back home, reuniting with their eggs while thwarting pig thieves.

Release

Upon release, Angry Birds Rio offered two chapters—"Smugglers' Den" and "Jungle Escape"—each comprising 30 levels. It later expanded with three additional 30-level chapters: "Beach Volley" (May 2011), "Carnival Upheaval" (June 2011), and "Airfield Chase" (August 2011). A special 15-level chapter titled "Golden Beachball" was unlocked through hidden collectibles or DVD codes. The concluding chapter, "Smugglers' Plane," launched in November 2011 with 15 levels; its remaining half was added in January 2012. Every chapter featured a rare golden fruit collectible that enhanced gameplay experience.

In March 2012, the Trophy Room update introduced 12 new levels accessible by completing chapters or gathering golden fruits; this update initially appeared on Android via Amazon Appstore before reaching iOS platforms.

A December 2012 update added 24 new levels unlocked by star achievements or collecting Mighty Eagles’ Feathers and introduced Power-Ups such as Super Seeds, Sling Scope, Samba Burst, and TNT Drop. In March 2013, the "Market Mayhem" episode brought an additional 34 levels. July 2013 saw a redesign of the app icon along with an expansion of the Golden Beachball episode featuring new levels and golden fruits; Trophy Room levels were integrated into their respective episodes.

Between December 2013 and July 2014, four episodes inspired by Rio 2 were released showcasing updated visuals. The Timber Tumble episode implemented a hint system for slingshot aiming. A July 2015 update added bird coins that enabled players to unlock previously inaccessible stages.

Ports and inclusion in Angry Birds Trilogy

During the 2012 Electronic Entertainment Expo held in Los Angeles, Rovio, together with its distribution partner Activision, revealed plans to launch Angry Birds Rio alongside the original Angry Birds and Angry Birds Seasons (2010) on platforms such as the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Nintendo 3DS. These titles were collectively packaged as Angry Birds Trilogy, with each game tailored to maximize the capabilities of the respective consoles, incorporating features like PlayStation Move, Kinect, high-definition graphics, and glasses-free 3D effects. Subsequently, the trilogy was also made available on the Nintendo Wii and Wii U systems.

Discontinuation

On February 3, 2020, Angry Birds Rio was officially retired along with other entries including Angry Birds Star Wars II, Angry Birds Space (2012), and Angry Birds Star Wars. In a 2021 discussion, Rovio's Steve Porter explained that due to licensing restrictions imposed by third parties, it is improbable that the Rio and Star Wars editions will be reintroduced.

Reception

The critical response to Angry Birds Rio was largely positive, earning a Metacritic aggregate score of 87 out of 100 based on 18 reviews. Ryan Rigney from GamePro commended the iOS version for its significant enhancements relative to earlier installments. Meanwhile, Levi Buchanan of IGN referred to the Android edition as "a clever and lively addition to the franchise." Jim Squires from Gamezebo emphasized that the fresh content and gameplay mechanics were vital for maintaining player interest over time, though he found certain boss encounters somewhat disappointing. Tracy Erickson of Pocket Gamer observed that despite a lack of groundbreaking innovation, the game delivered solid gameplay with excellent value.

By 2011, Angry Birds Rio had exceeded 10 million downloads and ranked among the most downloaded games on the Apple App Store throughout 2012. It continued to enjoy strong popularity on the Google Play Store up until 2014, demonstrating enduring consumer interest.

See also

• List of most downloaded Android applications