So it’s official – as of the 30th April Angry Birds Space has become the fastest selling mobile game in history (it’s apparently been downloaded 50 million times in 35 days).  This either means that people really, really like Angry Birds, or they’re just not as busy as they say they are (and need something to occupy their hands).

Let me just say at the outset that I do love Angry Birds, have downloaded all of the updates and Rio, and enjoy playing them on a regular basis.  The idea of yet another Angry Birds version that would fill up my free time, provide me with endless frustrating and delicious levels was tempting.  So I got it the day it was released, along with every other person I knew.

Yes, Rovio has produced another entertaining game in which you slay pigs with angry birds (even different birds).  Yes, the concept of gravity (or lack of it) and the wacky ways you can fling birds in space has turned the game on its head.  Yes, I hope Rovio continues for many years producing mobile games of this quality.  But after I stopped playing Angry Birds Space – about 7 levels in (there are 60 levels) –  I realised that I missed the simplicity of the original game.  My favourite Angry Birds versions are the Seasons, and particularly the versions from last year like the “Summer Picnic” and “Go Green, Get Lucky”, which has music in it that I still find myself humming occasionally.  There’s something very satisfying about these versions.

In Space you now have your selected bird’s trajectory all mapped out for you.  It certainly makes it easier to fling your birds around icy asteroids, but somehow it takes a lot of the fun out of the game.  There are new birds, of course, like the Ice Bird, that freezes pigs and materials so you can break them.  But for the most part, for me, they’re unmemorable.  Maybe I’ve just played too much over the years since Angry Birds came out.  I’m sure if Angry Birds Space had been released first it would have blown my mind.

One thing I do really like (and my 8 year old son agrees) is the inclusion of NASA in the game: when you click on the little NASA picture it pops up a screen where you can learn more about space (via NASA’s website).

All in all, Angry Birds Space lives up to expectations, and provides seriously challenging tasks for Angry Birds fans.

What do you think?  Is it mind blowing, or does it make you appreciate the original versions?