Google’s “Zelda” Easter Egg Turns Search Into a 1998 Time Capsule
Searching “Zelda” or “Ocarina of Time” on Google now triggers a retro‑style search page that nods to the year the classic game first launched.
Google’s 1998‑style search Easter egg
When users type Zelda or Ocarina of Time into Google, the search engine adds an animated Master Sword in the lower‑right corner of the results page. Clicking the sword launches a brief animation and a Link shout, then the page transforms into a simple list of blue links with retro Google branding, mimicking the look of the search engine in 1998.
What the retro page shows
The nostalgic layout displays only seven curated links instead of the usual ten, including the official Nintendo Zelda site, the Wikipedia entry for Zelda, and a list of Zelda games on Amazon, among others. It is not a live search; the links are pre‑selected for the Easter egg.
How to return to the modern interface
Clicking the Master Sword again restores the standard 2026 Google results, complete with AI features, sponsored content, suggested searches, and social media links. Any attempt to search from the retro view immediately redirects back to the modern interface.
Why the Easter egg matters
The feature coincides with the upcoming release of the Ocarina of Time remaster for the Nintendo Switch 2. The updated game boasts new graphics, modern controls, and quality‑of‑life improvements, and it is available for pre‑order at $60 for the digital version and $70 for the physical edition. The game launches on November 5.
Reflection on Google’s evolution
The Easter egg highlights how Google’s search has shifted from a minimalist list of ten links to a complex AI‑driven platform. While the nostalgic design taps into gamers’ memories of 1998, it also underscores the broader changes in how the company presents information.
