From Ars Technica · · 1m 20s
Google's Zelda Easter egg shows search in 1998
Searching for Zelda on Google reveals how the search engine looked 28 years ago, before AI and sponsored content took over.
In brief
Searching for Zelda on Google reveals how the search engine looked 28 years ago, before AI and sponsored content took over. Google created a 1998-style search interface as an Easter egg to promote the Ocarina of Time remaster, showing how much the search engine has changed. Originally reported by Ars Technica.
Google time machine launches
Google created an Easter egg celebrating the Ocarina of Time remaster. Search for Zelda or Ocarina of Time and click the animated Master Sword in the lower right corner.
1998 search returns
After clicking the sword, Google's search page transforms into a simple list of blue links with retro branding, showing how search looked in nineteen ninety-eight.
The retro interface is limited
The Easter egg shows only seven curated links including Nintendo's official Zelda page and Wikipedia. Trying to search anything new immediately returns you to twenty twenty-six.
Search has transformed
Google's push into generative AI has changed search dramatically. Web links now sit far down the page, buried under AI results, sponsored content, and social media links.
Ocarina of Time remaster launches
The remastered game launches on November five for Nintendo Switch two. It costs sixty dollars for digital and seventy dollars for physical, and is available for preorder now.
The main idea
Google created a 1998-style search interface as an Easter egg to promote the Ocarina of Time remaster, showing how much the search engine has changed.
