Google’s daily doodles and creative easter eggs have long served to brighten up one of the most simple (do we say boring?) UI’s on the web, keeping it feeling fresh for users who would otherwise probably not noticed much in the way of UI updates over the past two decades.
After adding a little easter egg of our own to the WeAreDevelopers Labs site (keep reading to find out what it is), we thought we’d take a closer look at some of the most fun and creative ones still working today.
1. Askew
The beauty of building on the web is that no matter how pointless something is, nobody can stop you from creating it and publishing it for the world to see.
Perhaps nothing says this as well as Google’s askew easter egg. It’s beautifully pointless, and so subtle you’d be forgiven for not noticing. Just search for askew and watch as your entire results page tilts a little.
2. Bad Typography
No font has been debated as much as comic sans. You either appreciate it for its readability and accessibility, or its friendly appearance… or, you think it’s one of the worst font faces imaginable, and instantly ruins any design with its amateurish look.
Either way, search bad typography and your search results will adopt the classic font. Go further and search kerning (the space between letters), and Google will intentionally mess with the text.
3. Do a Barrel Roll
You know the phrase just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.
This is like that… but the opposite. Because you can… you should (and for no other reason).
Type do a barrel roll into Google Search and the whole page spins 360 degrees.
The reference is apparently a nod to the legendary Star Fox 64 line, which shows some easter eggs run deeper than you think.
4. Flip a Coin
The chances are, you’ve already used some of Google’s tools like its calculator, but there are more than you realise, rolled right into the search feature.
Indecisive? Type flip a coin, and Google will simulate it for you. No doubt, developers will question the true randomness of the flip, but it’s a handy feature either way.
5. Super Mario Bros.
First launched in 2015, the Super Mario Bros easter egg is a great touch. Search Super Mario Bros and look for the “?” block. Click it, and you’ll hear that classic Mario coin noise.
For bomnus points, click it 100 times and see what happens.
6. Wizard of Oz
We saved the best until last with this one, but type Wizard of Oz and you’ll see a pair of sparkly red slippers. Click them, and the page goes sepia as Dorothy whispers “There’s no place like home", along with a cinematic transition and sound. Click the tornado to go home, and everything spins back to normal.
A Bonus Easter Egg
So this final one isn’t a Google easter egg, but we thought you’d enjoy it nonetheless.
Just in time for Halloween, we’d added a sneaky little pumpkin mode to add a sprinkling of spookiness to the WeAreDevelopers Labs page. Go and give it a go for yourself, and let us know what you think!
Easter eggs are a great way of injecting some unexpected fun and mystery into your website, so why not think of one you could add to your project today?