Angry Birds Stella is a spin-off game in the popular Angry Birds franchise that was first released in 2014. The game features characters and settings from The Angry Birds Movie, including the character Stella and her friends. Angry Birds Stella offers different gameplay from the original Angry Birds games, with less focus on destroying structures and more on collecting items and interacting with characters.
Since its initial release, there has been some confusion around whether Angry Birds Stella is still available to download and play in 2023. The game has undergone some changes over the years, including being rebranded as part of the larger Angry Birds 2 game in 2015.
So is Angry Birds Stella still available today? Let’s take a look at the history of the game and what current options exist for playing Angry Birds Stella in 2023.
The History of Angry Birds Stella
Angry Birds Stella was first released in September 2014 as a spin-off from the main Angry Birds games. It was available as a standalone free-to-play game for iOS and Android devices.
The game featured Stella and her friends Gale, Poppy, Luca, Dahlia and Willow on the Golden Island. Gameplay focused on collecting items, interacting with characters and building structures on the island. There were daily challenges and levels to complete, but less emphasis on physics-based destruction gameplay seen in other Angry Birds titles.
Angry Birds Stella received modest success and had over 10 million downloads in its first few months. However, it did not reach the massive popularity of the original Angry Birds and other spin-offs like Angry Birds Go!
In June 2015, Rovio announced that Angry Birds Stella would be rebranded and absorbed into the newly released Angry Birds 2 game as part of a major overhaul of the franchise. Angry Birds 2 provided a unified experience across all Angry Birds games and allowed players to use characters from different Angry Birds titles together.
As part of Angry Birds 2, Stella, Gale, Poppy, Luca and the other characters became available as playable characters. Their world on Golden Island also became accessible as a set of game levels.
While Angry Birds Stella was no longer available as a standalone app, the characters, storylines and levels were carried over into Angry Birds 2.
Angry Birds Stella in Angry Birds 2
Since 2015, Angry Birds Stella has lived on as part of Angry Birds 2. The game provides access to Stella, Gale, Poppy, Luca and the rest of the characters first introduced in Angry Birds Stella.
There are a number of elements that have carried over from the original Angry Birds Stella game:
- Golden Island levels and settings – Many of the stages in Angry Birds 2 feature the Golden Island world from the original Stella game.
- Stella, Gale, Poppy, Luca and friends – These main characters from Angry Birds Stella are available as playable characters in Angry Birds 2.
- Daily challenges – Angry Birds 2 continues the daily challenge mode from Stella where players can complete a new challenge level each day.
- Golden Island episode levels – Angry Birds 2 has introduced episode levels themed around Golden Island and the pig inhabitants found there.
While the standalone Angry Birds Stella app is no longer available, players who enjoyed that game can still experience Stella, her friends and their world today in Angry Birds 2.
The Golden Island elements have also been expanded and added to over time. Angry Birds 2 continues introducing new Golden Island-themed levels, episodes and challenges using characters from Angry Birds Stella.
Are Any Standalone Versions Still Available?
When Angry Birds Stella was rebranded as part of Angry Birds 2, the standalone app was removed from app stores and was no longer supported. This marked the end of Angry Birds Stella as a separate game.
Today in 2023, there is no authorized way to download or play Angry Birds Stella as it originally existed in 2014-2015. No app stores still offer the original game for download.
The only way to legitimately experience Angry Birds Stella content today is through Angry Birds 2. Gamers can access Stella and her friends there, but not in the original standalone app.
Some unauthorized copies or modified versions of Angry Birds Stella may still exist online. However, these releases are not officially supported, may not work properly, and often require workarounds like virtual machines. They likely violate terms of use as well.
In summary, Angry Birds Stella as it was originally designed is no longer officially available in any app store or platform. Angry Birds 2 has essentially replaced it and carries over some of the characters and levels that made Stella popular.
Playing Angry Birds Stella Content in Angry Birds 2
While the standalone game is gone, Angry Birds 2 does provide ways for gamers to enjoy the Angry Birds Stella experience today:
Play as Stella and Friends
In any level or game mode in Angry Birds 2, players can select Stella, Gale, Poppy, Luca and the rest of the characters first introduced in Angry Birds Stella as their playable birds. Their unique designs, sounds and powers from the original game carry over.
Play Golden Island Episode Levels
Angry Birds 2 has an episodic structure, with different sets of themed levels available to play through. The game has introduced various episodes set on Golden Island involving the pig inhabitants found there. These levels bring back the scenery and characters of Angry Birds Stella.
Play Daily Challenges
The daily challenge mode in Angry Birds Stella now exists within Angry Birds 2. Each day there is a new level available to complete for bonuses and rewards. These challenges sometimes feature Golden Island locations and pigs.
Use Golden Island Power-Ups
Some of the power-ups in Angry Birds 2 are themed around Golden Island and reference the original Stella game. This includes power-ups that turn birds into tropical fruits or cookies from the bakery on Golden Island.
While it takes some digging into the many episodes and game modes, fans of the original Angry Birds Stella can find elements they will recognize from that game today in Angry Birds 2.
Will Angry Birds Stella Ever Return?
Given that Rovio has already rebranded and incorporated Angry Birds Stella into Angry Birds 2, it is unlikely the standalone game will ever be revived. Rovio seems committed to having Angry Birds 2 be the unified Angry Birds game moving forward.
However, it’s possible they could revisit and expand the Golden Island part of Angry Birds 2 someday. Potential ways Angry Birds Stella could return:
- A remastered or expanded set of Golden Island episodes and levels in Angry Birds 2.
- A recreation of the full Angry Birds Stella game inside Angry Birds 2, maintaining the original structure.
- A complete remake or sequel that brings back the gameplay style of the original.
While unlikely in the near future, fans can hope the charm and character of Angry Birds Stella gets spotlight again someday. The new characters and world were some of the last major additions to Angry Birds before the move to Angry Birds 2.
There remains nostalgia and fondness for Stella’s debut standalone game that could be rekindled down the road. But for now, enjoying Stella and friends within Angry Birds 2 is still an option for those who miss the original experience.
Conclusion
To summarize, here are the key points on whether Angry Birds Stella is still available:
- Angry Birds Stella was originally released in 2014 as a spin-off game focusing on Stella and her friends.
- In 2015, Rovio rebranded Angry Birds Stella as part of the new Angry Birds 2.
- The standalone Angry Birds Stella app is no longer available or supported.
- However, Angry Birds 2 features Stella and Golden Island content that carried over.
- Fans can play as Stella characters, complete Golden Island levels, and use island power-ups.
- A full return or remake of Angry Birds Stella seems unlikely but possible down the road.
So in summary, the authentic Angry Birds Stella standalone game is gone. But characters and elements that fans enjoyed live on today in Angry Birds 2 for those still seeking the fun experience Stella first offered.