Google's "Do a Barrel Roll" Easter Egg
đ Scroll Down to play with the easter egg
Key Facts
Makes your browser screen perform a complete 360-degree rotation, inspired by the Star Fox 64 video game
Google Search Team
November 3, 2011
Active (as of 2025)
Origin Story
Discovering the Easter Egg
The "Do a Barrel Roll" Easter egg draws its inspiration from the 1997 Nintendo 64 game Star Fox 64. In the game, Peppy Hare, an experienced pilot and mentor figure, frequently advises the player character Fox McCloud to "do a barrel roll" as an evasive maneuver during space combat sequences. This phrase became a popular gaming meme in the years following the game's release.
Content
In late 2011, Google's search team decided to implement this nostalgic gaming referenceas a playful Easter egg. The feature was developed as part of Google's ongoing efforts to make search more engaging and showcase the capabilities of modern web browsers. The team chose CSS3 animations, which were relatively new at the time, to create a smooth 360-degree rotation effect.
Significance and Reception
The implementation required careful consideration of browser compatibility and performance. The team used CSS3's transform property with rotation animation, ensuring the search results remained functional during and after the animation. This technical achievement helped demonstrate the possibilities of modern web animations while maintaining the core functionality of Google Search.
Discontinuation
Google quietly released this feature on November 3, 2011, allowing users to discover it organically. The Easter egg quickly went viral on social media platforms and tech blogs, gaining widespread attention within hours of its discovery. Media outlets from around the world covered the feature, highlighting Google's playful approach to user experience.
Recreation/Recovery
Recreated vs. Original
The "Do a Barrel Roll" Easter egg draws its inspiration from the 1997 Nintendo 64 game Star Fox 64. In the game, Peppy Hare, an experienced pilot and mentor figure, frequently advises the player character Fox McCloud to "do a barrel roll" as an evasive maneuver during space combat sequences. This phrase became a popular gaming meme in the years following the game's release.
The Easter Egg Experience
In late 2011, Google's search team decided to implement this nostalgic gaming reference as a playful Easter egg. The feature was developed as part of Google's ongoing efforts to make search more engaging and showcase the capabilities of modern web browsers. The team chose CSS3 animations, which were relatively new at the time, to create a smooth 360-degree rotation effect.
Steps to Interact with the Easter Egg:
- Open Google's search page (google.com)
- Type "do a barrel roll" in the search box
- Press Enter or click the Search button
- Watch as your screen performs a complete 360-degree rotation
Alternative Method: You can also trigger the animation by searching for "Z or R twice" - another reference to Star Fox 64's barrel roll controls.
Conclusion
In late 2011, Google's search team decided to implement this nostalgic gaming reference as a playful Easter egg. The feature was developed as part of Google's ongoing efforts to make search more engaging and showcase the capabilities of modern web browsers. The team chose CSS3 animations, which were relatively new at the time, to create a smooth 360-degree rotation effect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Easter egg work on all devices?
The Easter egg works best on desktop browsers that support CSS3 animations. While it functions on most modern mobile devices, the experience may vary depending on your device and browser capabilities.
Why did Google create this Easter egg?
Google created this Easter egg as a playful homage to Star Fox 64 and to demonstrate their fun company culture. It also served to showcase the capabilities of modern web browsers and CSS3 animations.
Are there other similar Google Easter eggs?
Yes, Google has created many other Easter eggs, including "askew" (which tilts the search results), "gravity" (which makes search results fall to the bottom of the page), and "zerg rush" (which creates a game where O's eat your search results). Each offers a unique interactive experience.