April Fools Day is here again, and it’s time for those pranks. If you aren’t already familiar, Google has a history of doing something interesting for that day. Some of their pranks include interviewing for “engineering positions at our lunar hosting and research center” back in 2007, and their plans to introduce “scratch and sniff” on Google Book Search in 2008.
And if you’re an avid user of Google Maps, then you’d know what they’ve been up to. For example, 2014 saw Pokemon being hidden all over Google Maps, 2013 featured a treasure map mode, and in 2015 they recreated the retro Pac Man game on their map!
In case you haven’t heard of these pranks – hey you were probably too young anyway – here’s a quick rundown on some of these popular game-style crossovers.
Retro PacMan (2015)
For 2015, Google Maps released PacMan on Google Maps, transforming real-world streets into a playable maze. To play it, users had to access Google Maps and locate the PacMan icon on the bottom left-hand corner of the page (the area where you normally select the view mode). Once clicked, the maps transformed into a retro PacMan game board!
Users accessed the game via Google Maps on desktop or mobile. Clicking a Pac-Man icon turned visible streets into a playable level. If a location lacked enough streets, users could select another area or click “I’m feeling lucky” for a preselected location.
On desktop, Pac-Man was controlled using arrow keys, navigating streets while avoiding ghosts and consuming pellets. Power Pellets allowed players to chase ghosts temporarily. On mobile, gameplay required solving a riddle on a Google support page to reveal hidden Pac-Man pins. Once found, a Pac-Man button appeared, enabling swipe-based movement.
Pac-Man on Google Maps blended nostalgia with modern technology, letting users explore real-world locations in a fun, arcade-style challenge. Though a temporary feature, it was widely enjoyed, proving Pac-Man’s enduring popularity.
Pokemon Challenge (2014)
The Pokémon Challenge was launched as part of Google’s April Fools’ tradition in 2014. Announced on Google Asia Pacific’s blog, it was promoted through social media platforms such as Twitter (now X), Google+, and Facebook, allowing for direct engagement with players. During the event, Google Maps’ mascot, Pegman, donned the attire of Professor Oak.
Throughout the event, users of the Google Maps mobile application could catch Pokémon scattered across real-world locations. Google’s Pokédex featured 25 Pokémon from each of the first six generations, along with Mew, which appeared and roamed after the user had captured the other 150 Pokémon. The Pokédex included all first partner Pokémon, Eevee and its eight evolutions, all seven final-form pseudo-legendary Pokémon, and all electric rodents.
Originally scheduled to run until 3 April, the event’s popularity led to an extension of five days, giving players who had caught at least five Pokémon a chance to complete their Pokédex. Those who managed to capture all 151 Pokémon during the challenge received a congratulatory letter and “Pokémon Master” business cards from Google in June 2014.
Treasure Map Mode (2013)
In 2013, users noticed a new “Treasure” option on Google Maps. Activating it switched the standard map view to a sepia-toned, hand-drawn aesthetic reminiscent of ancient pirate charts.
To add to the illusion/fun, Google released a blog and video featuring a fictional discovery of a lost map belonging to the infamous pirate William “Captain” Kidd. The map was reportedly found during a recent expedition in the Indian Ocean as part of a deep-water dive to expand Google’s underwater Street View collection. Captain Kidd was rumoured to have buried his treasure around the world, and tales of a long-lost treasure map had lingered for generations.
When Dr. Marco Meniketti, an independent archaeologist, confirmed that this was Captain Kidd’s 315-year-old map, Google was thrilled. However, as shown in the video, the map contained a variety of encrypted symbols and was not readily decipherable. To solve the mystery, Google called upon users to help decrypt these symbols and locate Captain Kidd’s treasures.
Google added interactive elements to enhance the experience. Players could zoom in to find hidden symbols, decipher coded messages, and follow cryptic hints scattered across well-known landmarks. Google even suggested that real-world exploration might be needed to uncover some secrets.
Though short-lived, the period between 2013 and 2015 marked an era of Google’s most inventive and immersive April Fools’ Day pranks. Unfortunately, in recent years, these playful surprises have been noticeably absent.
