This was an April Fools joke… but still it would have been cool!

When it comes to Google Maps, it’s the only tool I use to find directions on where I need to go, as well as look up alternate routes. However, there’s always something in the back of my head, nagging me, irritating me, and I couldn’t figure out what it was until now. I had to ask myself this question: “Wouldn’t Google Maps be SOOOOOOOO much better if it had a 8-bit retro look? I would be SO much more invested in Google Maps if it only could do just this!”

Well, Google listened to my oddly specific request. When you access Google Maps, on the top right of the map where you can choose Satellite/Earth/Street views, there’s a new mode called Quest. By clicking it, all the streets, trees, and mountains all become Dragon Quest lands. The maps are still plotted out the same way, and it still works the same, so you can still go to where you need to go. Except now, you can do it to the look and style of the original Dragon Quest. What’s also funny is if you go to Street View, everything is extremely pixilated, as if the NES’s technical capabilities are working overtime to provide even a simple version of Streetview.

Apparently, this is only a trial version and that an actual cartridge is coming out for the Nintendo Famicon and Nintendo Entertainment System. I don’t have a reason to really play my NES all that much anymore, but this is one reason to bring it back out from my closet. Now if only there was an update for Super Nintendo, I’d be all set…