Google updates search interface with 1998-themed Zelda easter egg
Google has introduced a temporary visual feature in its search engine, allowing users to experience a 1998-style interface by searching for Zelda-related terms.
Google launched a temporary interactive feature this week that recreates the company's early user interface from 1998. The feature is activated when users search for "Zelda" or "Ocarina of Time" on desktop or mobile devices.
Upon executing the search, an animated Master Sword icon appears in the corner of the browser window. Clicking the icon triggers an animation that shifts the current search results page to a retro aesthetic, featuring the original blue-link layout and early branding used during the company's first year of operation.
The feature serves as a nod to the 1998 release of the video game "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time" for the Nintendo 64. The transition mirrors the time-travel mechanics central to the game's plot.
While this update is a temporary marketing activity, it highlights the digital evolution of search engine design over the past three decades. The interface remains available to all users globally for a limited period.