Fans of the furious feathers will welcome the news that Finnish game developer Rovio has added 24 new Samba-themed levels and power-ups to its Angry Birds Rio.

The Angry Birds series is amongst one of the most popular gaming franchises. Rovio recently released "its biggest and best launch yet" - an Angry Birds Star Wars spin-off , which went on to top the Apple's App Store charts in a record two and a half hours.

What's more, with an upcoming Angry Birds movie in the anvil, Rovio seems to be making all the right business moves to keep the popularity of its Angry Birds franchise intact.

With the introduction of 24 new levels and four new power-ups, Rovio has added a fresh lease of life to Angry Birds Rio. Even though the update may sound like a modest one, there's a catch. Players have to earn the new Samba-themed levels by collecting a certain number of stars.  To access the new 18 'Star levels', gamers will need to play well in order to collect starts from the current levels. The remaining six 'Mighty Eagle' levels will be unlocked once the player collects the requisite number of feathers. Since every new level in this update is a bonus one, the only way to access them is improved gameplay and scores.

However, the gameplay for Angry Birds Rio will become slightly easier with the introduction of the new power-ups, which include "Sling Scope laser targeting and Super Seeds to supersize your birds, PLUS never-before-seen power-ups: Samba Burst and TNT Drop!"

Power-ups are available through in-game purchases, but gamers will also get 20 free power-ups when they download the update and additional free power-ups each day they play the game.

The Angry Birds Rio has a physics-based gameplay and revolves around the premise that the original Angry Birds are kidnapped and taken to Rio de Janeiro. The birds manage to escape and set out on a mission to save their friends Blu and Jewel, who are two rare macaws.

The Angry Birds Rio update brings the following new features:

• Collect stars to unlock 18 special Star Levels!
• Earn feathers to unlock 6 Mighty Eagle levels!
• Get 20 free power-ups!
• Check back daily for your free power-up!
• Dance your way to destruction with Samba Burst!
• Send a "special delivery" with the TNT drop!

The free update for Angry Birds Rio is now available for download for Android and iPhone and iPad if you have the game already installed.