Ben Stockton · February 20, 2024 · 7 min read Time seems to slow down when you’re bored and can’t find ways to pass the time. Thankfully, Google has you covered. You don’t need a gaming PC or console because Google has secret mini-games in almost all of its products, from Chrome and Search to Google Earth.
These games include old favorites like Pac-Man and Solitaire, as well as some originals like the Google Dinosaur Game. If you’re bored, struggling with ways to count down the hours, and desperately avoiding the day job, then these hidden Google games could be the answer. Here are 7 games you can try right now.
Also, be sure to check out our YouTube channel, where we posted a short video going through some of the Google games we mentioned below.
Flight Simulator (Google Earth)
Flight Simulator is the game that every aviation geek has installed on their PC, but it’s a niche experience for most users. If you’ve ever been curious about getting in a cockpit and flying your own airplane, you don’t need a copy of Microsoft Flight Simulator to do it—all you need is the hidden Google that game Google Earth Pro installed on your PC.
To play Flight Simulator, launch Google Earth Pro and press Ctrl + Alt + A to launch the Flight Simulator window. It allows you to choose your aircraft and start location. You can even control the simulator using a joystick.
Give it a go—it’s completely free to play. Like the Microsoft equivalent, Google Earth Flight Simulator is a pretty difficult “game” to get your head around, but it’s also a fun way to explore the planet without leaving your home.
Google Dinosaur Game (Google Chrome)
If you’ve ever wondered why you see a dinosaur in Google Chrome whenever you lose connection trying to access a page, wonder no longer. This is actually a fun little built-in hidden Google game for you to try.
In the spirit of other endless runner games like Temple Run, the mechanics of Google Dinosaur Game (also known as T-Rex Run) are simple to master. When you can’t connect to a page and you see the Google dino, press the spacebar on your keyboard to launch the game.
The dinosaur will move along—when you reach an obstacle (in this game, it’s cacti), simply press the spacebar at the right moment to jump.
It’s as simple as that. If you can’t access the page, don’t worry—you can access a clone of the game for free online.
Solitaire (Google Search)
Another Google Search hidden game is the classic Solitaire game (known as Patience in some locations). If you’ve ever been bored on a Windows PC, you’ll probably be familiar with this card game.
To play it, type solitaire (or patience game) into Google Search on any browser and press the Play button. You can choose to play either the easy or hard difficulty modes by pressing on one of the options.
Once the game is running, it’s the standard Solitaire experience—simply drag and sort the cards according to the rules. If you fancy a desktop version of this classic game, there are also software versions of Solitaire available for you to try on Windows, too.
Clouds (Android)
If you’re looking for a hidden Google Android game, then give Clouds a try. This casual game will only appear when you try to make a search on Google in the Google Android app while your device is offline.
Once you do, you’ll spot an animated icon next to the No signal warning. Press it—this will launch the full-screen Clouds game for you.
Clouds is a game in the Flappy Birds style, so to play it, tap your touchscreen to start the game, then to keep the happy-looking cloud icon in the air. You’ll need to avoid obstacles (birds, in other words), so be sure to plan ahead once you spot them.
You’ll need the Google app to play it, which most Android devices should have pre-installed. If you haven’t got it, install it, turn the WiFi off, and give it a go.
Pac-Man (Google Search)
No extended explanation needed for this one—everyone is familiar with the joy a quick game of Pac-Man can give you. This simple, easy, and fun classic is available for you to play right now in any browser.
To play Pac-Man, all you need to do is search for pacman or pac-man in a Google search. Instead of a typical search snippet or video, Google will instead provide you with a playable, HTML5 version of the classic Pac-Man game at the top of the search results.
Just press the Play button to get started, then use your keyboard arrow keys to move.
Atari Breakout
While we’re on the subject of old-school arcade games, what game collection would be complete without Atari Breakout? No keyboard controls required—just move the paddle back and forth with your mouse and start breaking some bricks.
Be careful, though. Once you get started playing, it’s hard to stop.
Text Adventure (Google Chrome and Search)
Many of the games we’ve mentioned in this shortlist have been visual experiences, but if you’re seeking a text-based adventure, you need to try the secret adventure game included in Google Search.
You’ll need to use the hidden Google Chrome console to use this. First, search for text adventure in Google Search, then right-click the browser window and press Ctrl+Shift+J to open the browser console. In the console terminal, type yes and press enter to begin playing the game.
Like the classic text-based adventures of the 1980s and 1990s, you’ll need to follow the on-screen instructions to play, moving the game forward by using the commands shown in the console.
This old-school adventure is all about nostalgia—if it sounds like the game for you, give it a try today.
Can I Play Old Google Doodles?
Absolutely! Just head on over to the Google Doodles archive, type “games” into the search bar, and press Enter. You don’t need anything special to play these; all you need is your browser.
For many years, Google has switched up its logo for new art and entertainment to celebrate events. Originally, these were just images, but as web tech improved, they evolved into fully-fledged interactive experiences.
Quite a few of these past Google Doodles (as they’re called) have been fun little mini-games that are still playable. There are plenty of games to try, from soccer to cricket to a basketball game that celebrated the 2012 Olympics.
Conclusion: Having Fun with Hidden Google Games
Thanks to hidden Google games, you don’t need to download Steam or buy a console to have some casual gaming fun. Make the most of Google games like Solitaire, Pac-Man, and Flight Simulator to kill some time on mobile and PC.
Of course, if you’re looking for some real gaming entertainment, you’ll need a gaming PC or console ready. If that’s unaffordable, subscribe to a game streaming service like GeForce Now instead. Let us know how you like to play your favorite games in the comments below.
