20 Hidden Google Games You Can Play Right Now
By Timothy Tibbetts |
Google has always had some excellent hidden games, or Google Doodles, built into its search engine if you know where to find them. Here are 20 of our favorite games we think you'll enjoy updated was needed.
When possible, you can click on any picture to jump straight to the required Google search and start playing. Be sure to bookmark this page to stop by and play anytime.
1: Solitaire
Type in solitaire in Google search and click on Play. You can choose from Easy or Hard modes.
2: Garden Gnomes
Garden Gnomes were created to celebrate Garden Day in Germany and garden gnomes for their prominent role in German history. Yup, it's a thing. Garden Gnomes is a catapult style game similar to others you might have played. Propel up to seven different gnomes as far as you can.
3: Basketball
Basketball 2012 celebrates to old button smashing style of game where you make free throws. Basketball 2012 was played over a billion times during its 4-day introduction. Press the space bar to build power and release when the ball turns the color you need for the power the shot requires.
4: Dino Run
Dino Run has a weird requirement. You need to be offline. Disconnect or click on the image below. Search for anything you like, and at the error page, press the space bar to start and press space to jump over obstacles. We found an online version, click the pic below.
5: Text Adventure
Text Adventure plays like a classic text-based game. Type Text Adventure into search and press CTRL + Shift + J. Type yes and press enter to start the game. Possible commands are shown, and the story begins.
6: Doctor Who's 50th Anniversary
The Google doodle teams celebrated Doctor Who's 50th Anniversary with the permission of the BBC and came up with a platformer game. Click with your mouse to jump to a location. Get from one end to the other, then back again.
7: Google Gravity
Google Gravity pays homage to Newton and gravity. Type Google Gravity in search and press the "I'm feeling lucky" button. Click and throw things around. Interestingly, everything that's usually on the search page is there and works.
8: Google Earth Flight Simulator
The Google Earth Flight Simulator has always been one of our favorites. Unlike the other games, you'll need to download Google Earth Pro first. Open Google Earth a click on Tools -> Enter Flight Simulator from the Menu.
9: Zerg Rush
Zerg Rush pays tribute to Blizzard's RTS game, Starcraft. Google O's come in from all sides of the screen, and you can shoot at them. In some cases, typing in Zerg Rush shows a backward Google page, but click the picture to play the game if searching fails.
10: Pac-Man
Google introduced a Pac-Man Google Doodle in 2010 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of this classic arcade game. We were a little disappointed the game levels weren't true to the original but still enjoyable.
11: Breakout
Breakout is a 1972 arcade game developed by Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs and now playable in Google images.
12: Snake
While we're trying other classic games, don't forget about Atari's Snake. Type in Google Snake Game in Google search and click on Play. Snake is a simple game where you try not to run into yourself or the walls as you continually get longer.
13: Slalom Canoe
A tough game that requires you to use the left and right arrow keys to gain speed, then also use the left and right arrow keys to steer avoiding rocks, frogs, and going between checkpoints. Sound easy?
14: Rubik's Cube
This Doodle celebrates the Rubik's Cube, a 3-D combination puzzle invented in 1974 by Hungarian sculptor and professor of architecture Ernő Rubik.
15: Pony Express
This fun, yet challenging game, celebrates the 155th anniversary of the Pony Express. Move up and down to collect all of the envelopes while avoiding the obstacles.
16: Magic Cat Academy
Magic Cat Academy mixes cats and Harry Potter. We were reminded a little of Guitar Hero as well. Swipe your wand drawing the shape(s) above each ghost's head.
17: Make a Godzilla Movie
Celebrate Godzilla co-creator Eiji Tsuburaya by living through the movie creating process.
18: Play Some Hip Hop
Celebrate the Jamaican-American DJ Clive Campbell, who went by the name of Kool Herc and credited with helping originate hip hop music. Pick two albums to put on the turntables and have some fun.
19: Play a Crossword Puzzle
We've pointed, clicked, and played some hip hop, so now's your chance to try this crossword puzzle created to celebrate the 100th anniversary.
20: Moog Synthesizer
In the mid-1960s, Dr. Robert Moog invented the electronic analog Moog Synthesizer. Now you can try your hand at playing a Synthesizer yourself.
If you know a game has disappeared, or want to suggest your favorite, leave a comment below.
comments powered by Disqus
When possible, you can click on any picture to jump straight to the required Google search and start playing. Be sure to bookmark this page to stop by and play anytime.
1: Solitaire
Type in solitaire in Google search and click on Play. You can choose from Easy or Hard modes.
2: Garden Gnomes
Garden Gnomes were created to celebrate Garden Day in Germany and garden gnomes for their prominent role in German history. Yup, it's a thing. Garden Gnomes is a catapult style game similar to others you might have played. Propel up to seven different gnomes as far as you can.
3: Basketball
Basketball 2012 celebrates to old button smashing style of game where you make free throws. Basketball 2012 was played over a billion times during its 4-day introduction. Press the space bar to build power and release when the ball turns the color you need for the power the shot requires.
4: Dino Run
Dino Run has a weird requirement. You need to be offline. Disconnect or click on the image below. Search for anything you like, and at the error page, press the space bar to start and press space to jump over obstacles. We found an online version, click the pic below.
5: Text Adventure
Text Adventure plays like a classic text-based game. Type Text Adventure into search and press CTRL + Shift + J. Type yes and press enter to start the game. Possible commands are shown, and the story begins.
6: Doctor Who's 50th Anniversary
The Google doodle teams celebrated Doctor Who's 50th Anniversary with the permission of the BBC and came up with a platformer game. Click with your mouse to jump to a location. Get from one end to the other, then back again.
7: Google Gravity
Google Gravity pays homage to Newton and gravity. Type Google Gravity in search and press the "I'm feeling lucky" button. Click and throw things around. Interestingly, everything that's usually on the search page is there and works.
8: Google Earth Flight Simulator
The Google Earth Flight Simulator has always been one of our favorites. Unlike the other games, you'll need to download Google Earth Pro first. Open Google Earth a click on Tools -> Enter Flight Simulator from the Menu.
9: Zerg Rush
Zerg Rush pays tribute to Blizzard's RTS game, Starcraft. Google O's come in from all sides of the screen, and you can shoot at them. In some cases, typing in Zerg Rush shows a backward Google page, but click the picture to play the game if searching fails.
10: Pac-Man
Google introduced a Pac-Man Google Doodle in 2010 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of this classic arcade game. We were a little disappointed the game levels weren't true to the original but still enjoyable.
11: Breakout
Breakout is a 1972 arcade game developed by Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs and now playable in Google images.
12: Snake
While we're trying other classic games, don't forget about Atari's Snake. Type in Google Snake Game in Google search and click on Play. Snake is a simple game where you try not to run into yourself or the walls as you continually get longer.
13: Slalom Canoe
A tough game that requires you to use the left and right arrow keys to gain speed, then also use the left and right arrow keys to steer avoiding rocks, frogs, and going between checkpoints. Sound easy?
14: Rubik's Cube
This Doodle celebrates the Rubik's Cube, a 3-D combination puzzle invented in 1974 by Hungarian sculptor and professor of architecture Ernő Rubik.
15: Pony Express
This fun, yet challenging game, celebrates the 155th anniversary of the Pony Express. Move up and down to collect all of the envelopes while avoiding the obstacles.
16: Magic Cat Academy
Magic Cat Academy mixes cats and Harry Potter. We were reminded a little of Guitar Hero as well. Swipe your wand drawing the shape(s) above each ghost's head.
17: Make a Godzilla Movie
Celebrate Godzilla co-creator Eiji Tsuburaya by living through the movie creating process.
18: Play Some Hip Hop
Celebrate the Jamaican-American DJ Clive Campbell, who went by the name of Kool Herc and credited with helping originate hip hop music. Pick two albums to put on the turntables and have some fun.
19: Play a Crossword Puzzle
We've pointed, clicked, and played some hip hop, so now's your chance to try this crossword puzzle created to celebrate the 100th anniversary.
20: Moog Synthesizer
In the mid-1960s, Dr. Robert Moog invented the electronic analog Moog Synthesizer. Now you can try your hand at playing a Synthesizer yourself.
If you know a game has disappeared, or want to suggest your favorite, leave a comment below.
comments powered by Disqus
