Angry Birds Space: The 2012 Launch, Gameplay and What Happened to It
Angry Birds Space took Rovio’s hit game beyond Earth in March 2012, with new birds, planets with their own gravity and an announcement from the International Space Station. This article looks back at the launch, what made the game different, what happened to it, and how to play Angry Birds today.
Quick answer: Angry Birds Space launched on 22 March 2012 for iPhone, iPad and Android, adding planets with gravity fields to the slingshot puzzle formula. Rovio removed it from the App Store and Google Play in early 2019 along with most of its older games. To play Angry Birds now, try Angry Birds 2, Angry Birds Friends or Angry Birds Reloaded on Apple Arcade.
Table of Contents
The Angry Birds Space launch in 2012
Rovio built anticipation for weeks with teasers, gradually revealing the new birds in space suits. Your favourite Red Bird got a powerful upgrade, and the new characters looked cool in their new avatar. The game launched on 22 March 2012.
Rovio even had NASA astronaut Don Pettit announce the game from the International Space Station. He explained how the gameplay would change with zero gravity, orbital slingshots and different gravity trajectories:
One of the official trailers from the launch:
What made Angry Birds Space different
- Planets with gravity: each planet pulled birds and blocks towards it, so shots curved around planets instead of falling in a straight arc.
- Zero gravity zones: outside a planet’s pull, birds flew in a straight line until they hit something.
- Orbital slingshots: skilled players could swing a bird around a planet to reach pigs hidden on the far side.
- Upgraded birds: the familiar flock got space versions with new powers.
What happened to Angry Birds Space
Angry Birds Space later reached Windows Phone and PC, but it did not last on app stores. In early 2019 Rovio removed it from the App Store and Google Play, along with most of its older Angry Birds games, to focus on newer free-to-play titles. If you bought it years ago, it may still be in your purchase history, but it is no longer updated and may not run on new phones.
How to play Angry Birds today
- Angry Birds 2: the main free slingshot game, with multi-stage levels and card-based bird selection.
- Angry Birds Friends: the tournament game that grew out of the old Facebook version. See our Angry Birds Friends guide.
- Angry Birds Reloaded: a remake of the classic games for Apple Arcade subscribers, with no ads or in-app purchases.
You can find all the current games on the official Angry Birds site. For more Angry Birds history, see the Angry Birds bookmarklet and the Angry Birds Go! kart racing game.
FAQ
When did Angry Birds Space come out?
Angry Birds Space launched on 22 March 2012 for iPhone, iPad and Android.
Can I still download Angry Birds Space?
Not from the App Store or Google Play. Rovio removed it in early 2019 along with most of its older games.
Who announced Angry Birds Space from space?
NASA astronaut Don Pettit announced it in a video recorded on the International Space Station, explaining how gravity would change the game.
What is the best Angry Birds game to play now?
Angry Birds 2 is the main free game. Apple Arcade subscribers can also play Angry Birds Reloaded, a remake of the classic games.
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This is a great post, the fact that you were able to compile all of the trailer videos together has probably built up an incredible frenzy of excitement of the newest game in the Angry Birds Series. I, personally, have just got the game for my Android Tablet and, in all honesty, these trailer videos have made me want to play the game more than ever before. Once again great post, and thanks for the information.