The Most Popular Google Doodle Games & How to Play Them

Google’s search page is more than just a logo and a search bar. The Google Doodle, a delightful addition, highlights creative minds at Google, bringing artworks on special occasions and raising awareness on certain events. Yet, in typical Google fashion, the Doodle has evolved beyond static images by bringing interactive games into play, ones you cannot ignore to pass time on.

What is Google Doodle?

We all love stumbling upon Easter Eggs, don’t we? That’s precisely what Google Doodle offers. Every time an occasion arises or an event unfolds, the talented designers at Google come up with not just a creative illustration but also sneak in a quick game right within the artwork itself to occupy the user’s mind. Talk about a perfect break for procrastination or learning something new!

Each game lasts anywhere from a few minutes to half an hour, with some even extending to an hour or more. While a very few may keep you engaged until you beat the game entirely. A true companion rooting for your success, that’s for sure!

Fortunately, these clever little experiences don’t disappear after just one day. Google keeps an archive of them for you to enjoy even after they’ve been removed from the homepage. And the best part? You don’t need to download any software or additional resources for a quick and refreshing experience.

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The Most Popular Google Doodle Games

Certain elements such as graphics, sound effects, and storyline make a game more appealing than others. These factors help a game rank among the most popular. After all, what good is a game if it does not keep the player engaged?

1. Pac-Man

Beginning with the nostalgic Pac-Man, Google released this game in 2010 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the original arcade game. Just like the original version, this “mini” game features a yellow protagonist navigating through a maze containing the word “Google”. The goal of the game is to collect all the pellets, and avoid collision with the ghosts (upon which the game ends).

Simply click on the “Insert Coin” button to start the game and use the arrow keys on your keyboard for control. But that’s not all! You can even go multiplayer by clicking on the same button twice and Ms. Pac-Man will appear on your screen, which is controlled by the WASD keys.

2. Basketball

This sport-themed game, released in 2012, is far less complicated than the actual basketball sport, known for its simple yet engaging mechanics. The player is given 24 seconds to score as many shots as they can.

The process of shooting the ball into the hoop consists of either holding the spacebar to build up adequate strength or using the mouse click and releasing to make a shot. If the strength is too little or too much, you miss the shot. With each passing level, the game gets a bit more challenging for the user and requires certain techniques. Sounds pretty intriguing, right?

3. Doodle Baseball

Released on the 4th of July in 2019, this Doodle celebrates American Independence Day with the nation’s favorite sport—baseball. The twist is, the characters are all different snacks you’d find baseball fans enjoying during a real match. You play on the picnic blanket ground as a random food item, while your opponents are all peanuts, pretty deserving of a loss, innit?

The game starts with a random player walking up towards the player’s position, and you swing your bat with the spacebar or a mouse click. And just like in real baseball games, the game ends upon three strikes. You know the rules!

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4. Rubik’s Cube

From beginners mastering the basics to professional cubers, this Google Doodle is a game that everyone can enjoy, right from their browser. The Rubik’s Cube doodle was first made public in 2014 on the 40th anniversary of Rubik’s Cube.

This virtual Rubik’s cube has the same six colors, six sides, and 54 faces as your actual one and can be played easily by rotating each cube segment with your mouse in order to match all the colors on each side. And once you’re done, you get the same kind of satisfaction as you would with the actual puzzle toy.

5. Celebrating Pizza

Eating pizza is fun, but have you tried cutting it into the perfect number of slices? That’s the challenge in Google’s Celebrating Pizza Doodle! While pizza originated in the Italian city of Naples, it’s now a global favorite. And in recognition of its cultural significance, UNESCO added this food item as the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity to the UNESCO Representative List in 2017.

To commemorate this event, the Celebrating Pizza game lets you slice various pizzas by dragging your cursor to draw a line. Sounds easy, right? Well, think again! The game starts with basic pizza flavors and simple toppings requiring straightforward cuts. But as you progress, the difficulty level increases, and so do the topping combinations. Get ready for a slice-tastic challenge!

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6. Doodle Kids Coding

This Doodle game was launched in 2017 on the anniversary of a programming language for children, Logo. The Doodle Kids Coding game offers young learners an introduction to the world of coding in a fun and engaging manner. Players go through a journey through various levels while solving puzzles and challenges.

What makes this game stand out is that it incorporates key coding principles in a playful way, such as loops, sequencing and conditional statements. The interface is quite simple and accessible that empowers children to develop skills necessary for today’s digital age.

7. Garden Gnome

In the age of modernization, the concept of garden gnomes is becoming less significant. So, in 2018, Google took matters into its own hands to raise awareness about the importance of garden gnomes and educate people about their history in a fun way. The game is similar to the infamous Angry Birds, except you’re slinging garden gnomes across the garden with a catapult.

Whether you play with the spacebar, or a mouse click, the objective is simple, to perfectly time your shot and land as far as possible. Once you reach the minimum target, you can even choose from six different gnomes, each with their unique performance. But watch out, it’s seriously addictive!

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8. Doodle Champion Island Games

To celebrate the Tokyo 2020 Olympic games, Google launched the interactive Doodle Champion Island game. It is one of the most comprehensive Doodle projects which was made in collaboration with a Japanese animation studio, paying homage to Japanese culture.

From its graphics to the variety of challenges, this Google Doodle game offers hours of entertainment with an engaging storyline. Player takes on the role of Lucky the Ninja Cat as she explores Champion Island, while competing in a variety of sports mini games, such as table tennis, archery, swimming, rugby, etc.

Apart from that, players also get the option to join one of the four teams, and contribute to a global leadership board that monitors the real-time performance of each team. This game is designed to enhance your problem-solving skills, with hidden achievements to collect from all over the island.

9. Halloween

Ghosts and Halloween go hand in hand! Serving as a tribute to Halloween, this game was released in 2016 and is a prime example of how Google celebrates cultural holidays through its Doodle games.

It features a cat named Momo, who is the main character on a mission to save the School of Magic from spooky creatures such as ghosts and skeletons. To do this, the player must draw the specific symbols that appear on the heads of the ghosts and navigate through various rooms.

The game’s storyline and cute art style add to its charm. Overcome obstacles, enjoy treats, solve puzzles, and explore the haunted house to make the most of this fun experience. And what better way to celebrate Halloween than with a Google Doodle game?

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10. Doodle Cricket

This cricket simulator game was released by Google to commemorate the ICC Champion Trophy in 2017. It offers an easy and fun way for users to immerse themselves in the game, stepping into the role of batters facing off against a virtual team of snails. The interface is both adorable and simple, giving you the chance to showcase your skills.

To play, simply swing the bat by clicking on its icon when the ball comes and aim to score as many runs as possible. However, the real challenge lies in timing your swing just right to avoid getting out. Talk about truly capturing the essence of a sports game!

11. Pony Express

Another example of Google promoting historical events, the Pony Express game was released in 2015 to celebrate the 155th anniversary of the Pony Express mail delivery service during the 19th century in the United States.

This game features a rider collecting mail on horseback while dodging hazards such as cacti and rocks. The rider’s movements can be controlled via the arrow keys or the mouse. Additionally, the graphics of the game provide a glimpse of the early mailing system, and the music adds to its appeal. Ride across the Old West, collect letters and packages, and make it to the next level!

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Conclusion

All these games offer a fun and exciting way to spend your time. Whether it’s a celebration of a holiday, a cultural or historical event, Google Doodle games provide creative entertainment as well as learning opportunities. Hit the play icon, enjoy tributes to classic arcade games, and challenge your skills.