Collection Angry Birds

In 2009 a small Finnish studio was running low on options, so they shipped a game about flinging birds at pigs. Rovio had made dozens of titles nobody remembers. This one sold over a billion downloads.

The design is close to perfect for a touchscreen. Pull back, let go, watch physics do the rest. Every bird has exactly one trick - Red just hits things, Chuck goes fast, Bomb explodes, Blues split into three - and learning which one to use where is the whole game.

The pigs deserve credit too. They never do anything except sit inside badly built structures and grin, and somehow that made them the most punchable antagonists in mobile gaming. King Pig in particular has the smug expression of someone who has never once considered reinforcing a wall.

This collection includes Red in his usual state of irritation, Chuck, Bomb, Terence looming silently, the Mighty Eagle, and King Pig looking pleased with himself.

If you spent a commute or three three-starring levels, these will feel familiar. Load one up and give your pointer a slingshot's worth of attitude.