Google was born as a search engine but over the years it has evolved in an impressive way, so much so that we find ourselves using at least one of its creations on a daily basis. But Google is often also synonymous with fun: how many times have you happened to find a doodle that Google has dedicated to a particular event? Well, many of these doodles have also become very popular mini games for users.
What perhaps not everyone knows is that there are some nice games you can play directly on Google, without the need to install extensions or applications or programs. We've rounded up the funniest ones below and we're sure you'll love many of them.
Play Solitaire on Google!
That's right, you can play a game of solitaire right inside Google. There is no need to click on any links or download any apps. This is one of the many Google Easter Eggs that are hidden in the search engine until you stumble upon one of them. This solitaire works exactly like the classic Windows Solitaire game that you may have already played on your computer. You have to match the cards in the right order, with the ultimate goal of separating each suit, and you can also choose between two difficulty levels.
To play Solitaire in Google, click on this page.
Pac-Man
How many hours do you spend playing Pac-Man, one of my favorite games. This mini game first appeared on Google when the popular search engine dedicated a Doodle for its birthday. Google took the classic Pac-Man game but reinvented the Google letter maze, making it more challenging than ever.
As always, the goal is to move the yellow Pac-Man around the maze and eat all the dots. Avoid the four ghosts that are there to kill you and eat the big dot to make the ghosts turn blue for a short time, at this point you will have a chance to eat the ghosts.
Due to the shape of the letters, the maze has some difficult curves and is not as simple as the classic Pac-Man.
To play Pac-Man in Google, click on this page.
Tris (Tic-Tac-Toe)
Another great classic is definitely the Tic-Tac-Toe game, better known to us as Tris. Your aim is to choose whether you want to be the cross or the circle: usually in the Google game it is always the cross that starts the turn. Google has also introduced several skill settings for the game, so you can start with an easy level and progress to the “impossible” level.
Unlike solitaire, Tic-Tac-Toe in real life has always been a game between two people. The Google version is no different. You can play against a friend or against the computer.
To play Tic-Tac-Toe in Google, click on this page.
Snake
Remember the Nokia Snake? Well, Google also made it as an interactive Doodle on the occasion of the Chinese New Year in 2013 when it was the year of the snake. Unlike the classic Snake there are some improvements.
Use the arrow keys to move the snake, eat everything you can on the way but be careful what you eat: some foods will make you grow more, others will slow you down and dynamite… well, you know it will make you explode!
To play Snake in Google, click on this page.
Atari Breakout
Remember Arkanoid? This is the game where you control a small ship and you have to break all the bricks with a ball. Well, Google has achieved this too and did it with Atari Breakout on Google: the images of the search engine will become bricks to explode.
To play Atari Breakout in Google, click on this page.
A Google a Day
If you love trivia games then you will be happy to know that Google has made a mini game for you by naming it A Google A day. Each day, the site asks three questions: the window is divided into two halves.
The question appears in the lower half of the screen, with a Google search window in the upper half. Once you see the question, use the top half to search for the answer using the right keywords. This is a nice way to improve your Google search skills.
To play A Google a Day in Google, click on this page.
Zamboni
Zamboni is a very fun game that owes its name to its inventor Frank Zamboni. Google released a doodle in honor of Frank Zamboni in January 2013 to commemorate what would have been his 112th birthday. You will have to drive an ice cleaner using the keyboard keys.
By checking the vehicle, you will have to clean the ice of all marks and stains as quickly as possible, without running out of fuel. There are also power-ups and obstacles left on the ice that can hinder your game or improve it.
To play Zamboni in Google, click on this page.
Slalom Canoe
Slalom Canoe is a doodle game where you have to guide your canoeist along the rapids. The canoe is controlled by the left and right arrow keys, one for each of the two oars. You need to focus on getting a smooth pace and overcoming obstacles.
To play Canoe Slalom in Google, click on this page.
Soccer
Could a doodle dedicated to football be missing? Absolutely not. In the Google football game you play on the side of the goalkeeper who needs to save the most shots by the attacker. The arrow keys move the goalkeeper left and right, and the space bar makes him jump. If you concede three goals… you have lost!
To play soccer in Google, click on this page.
Obstacle course
In the Obstacle Course Doodle, Google has recreated an athlete who has to run fast while jumping over every obstacle in your way. The further you go, the harder it will be to play: you risk slowing down and losing the time record. The left and right arrow keys are used to give you speed, with the space bar being used to jump over obstacles.
To play Obstacle Course on Google, click on this page.
Basketball
Another great classic is definitely the game of basketball. In Google's Doodle dedicated to basketball you have 24 seconds to hit as many baskets as possible. All you have to do is hold down the space bar to choose the power of the shot, letting go to release the ball. It is much harder than it looks!
To play basketball on Google, click on this page.
Conclusions
These are just some of the existing Google games. You can also read the page of Doodles to always have lots of fun games just a click away. And don't forget the famous dinosaur game which is activated when Google Chrome is offline: really fun!
