Will 'Angry Birds' Be Bigger Than Mario?
SodaHead Gaming
2011/09/29 15:00:00
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He’s been fearlessly diving down pipes that teleport him to the Mushroom Kingdom for over 25 years and is, without question, the most recognizable face in video game history. With appearances in over 200 video games (don’t worry, we won’t list them here,) Nintendo’s mascot, the pint–size, portly plumber from Brooklyn, Mario might have finally met his match.
No, Nintendo isn’t creating a game where Bowser finally squashes our hero. Rovio, developer of the “if you don’t have it on your phone, you must not own a smart phone” video game sensation, “Angry Birds” has been rapidly gaining momentum in the two years since its initial release.
Rovio believes that their “Angry Birds” series will be bigger than Mario. Are the lovable fling-able birds the future of gaming, or will the plumber continue to shine with each and every new release?
No, Nintendo isn’t creating a game where Bowser finally squashes our hero. Rovio, developer of the “if you don’t have it on your phone, you must not own a smart phone” video game sensation, “Angry Birds” has been rapidly gaining momentum in the two years since its initial release.
Now, its popularity even looks to surpass the plumber in units sold. IGN reported that earlier in the year, “the big N” declared that the core Mario games have sold 262 million units world-wide. Now the site has presented a by-the-numbers stat listing of the Angry Birds franchise. To date, 350 million copies of “Angry Birds” have been downloaded for all platforms. The game itself cost a mere $136,000 to develop and now Rovio is valued at 1.2 billion.
On top of that, there’s two million pieces of “Angry Birds” merchandise sold each month. There’s 640 levels spanning the original game, as well as its Rio and Seasons expansions, up from 63 when the original game first launched. Every single day, there’s 300 million minutes of the game played.
On top of that, there’s two million pieces of “Angry Birds” merchandise sold each month. There’s 640 levels spanning the original game, as well as its Rio and Seasons expansions, up from 63 when the original game first launched. Every single day, there’s 300 million minutes of the game played.
Rovio believes that their “Angry Birds” series will be bigger than Mario. Are the lovable fling-able birds the future of gaming, or will the plumber continue to shine with each and every new release?
Top Opinion
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Kigan 2011/09/29 21:12:16
lol
Ever....
In Mario you can do all sorts - with all different games - but Angry Birds has only one goal (however Mario, you have all different from the racing games to the Bowser ones) that is to kill the pigs, by shooting them, and the only difference is themes.
So no, I don't think it will be.
Mario is a cultural icon from the dawning computer age. Angry Birds is a part of the rapidly expanding and fully fledged internet age. Its part of the Apple revolution and thus could very easily become as culturally significant. However, I don't see angry birds being quite the same thing. Where Mario was a gaming icon and pioneer, angry birds is merely an add on to several other modern day icons. Angry birds may be the most significant embolism of modern portable culture, but Mario was a key in founding the comuptor culture. So yes, angry birds may reach cultural icon status, but its still indebted to Apple, and moreso Mario for starting it all.