Angry Birds fanatics will probably enjoy this latest installment, and there's certainly plenty here to like, from the new puzzles to the jaunty tropical soundtrack. That said, I think the game loses something by not having the green pigs there to menace the birds--there's something about the way they giggle and smile when I fail to clear a level in other Angry Birds iterations that makes them seem like more worthwhile antagonists than unseen bird poachers. Also, the Smugglers' Den episode in Angry Birds Rio feels a lot easier to solve than other Angry Birds puzzles, though things may get tougher the deeper I progress into the game.

For my money, if there's one version of Angry Birds that captures everything worthwhile about the franchise, it's . This iPad-optimized offering makes great use of the tablet's screen. An update earlier this month added St. Patrick's Day-themed puzzles to a game that already includes Halloween, Christmas, and Valentine's Day episodes. And there's an attention to detail--snowflakes fall in the Christmas puzzles, a catchy Irish jig plays in the background for the St. Patrick's Day levels--that really gives iPad gamers their money's worth.

Angry Birds Rio in its iPhone and iPad forms is a worthy addition to the series. But Angry Birds Seasons HD remains the pinnacle of Rovio's offerings.