Depending on how cynical you run, you may think porting a series of super-cheap, uber-popular touch-screen games and selling them in a $40 bundle is either the greatest or the greediest idea ever. Our advice: don’t think, just play.
However you look at it, this compilation of three Angry Birds games — the original, Rio, and Seasons editions — offers a ridiculous amount of content, with more than 700 levels (including 19 new ones) of puzzley, fowl-launching hijinks. Sharp HD graphics make these games look eye-raisingly good on your TV, and newly animated backgrounds and cutscenes are nifty touches, too. But this Trilogy also delivers where it most needs to, controlling precisely enough with a standard 360 controller that we actually liked playing it on a console just as much as playing it on a smartphone.
Moreover, the Trilogy wisely caters to the mobile version’s fast pace. Hitting X instantly resets any stage, and if you keep failing one, you can just insta-clear it by summoning the smart bomb–ish Mighty Eagle (a downloadable addition to the non-console Angry Birds games).
You can also play using Kinect, but we don’t suggest it. Bird-catapulting with Microsoft’s motion sensor isn’t nearly as accurate as it is with a controller; zooming the camera in/out becomes a real chore; and lowering your hands between launches often brings up an annoying message saying Kinect can’t read you.
We’d recommend this Trilogy more if most of its content wasn’t available for free or a lot less money on other platforms. But what’s here is still plenty addictive, challenging you with many hours of fun.
Only the most hardcore fans will care about the bird-bio screens.PUBLISHER: Activision • DEVELOPER: Rovio Entertainment • ESRB: Everyone • MULTIPLAYER: None • ACHIEVEMENTS: Will take work • COST: $40 • RELEASE DATE: September 25, 2012
+ Many hours and levels of addictive bird-soaring shenanigans.
+ Looks great; controls quite well with a 360 controller.
– Unavoidable fact that you’re paying for content that’s free or much cheaper elsewhere; Kinect control is a bust.
? Who’d win in a fight: the Mighty Eagle or Castle Crashers’ catfish boss?
